How to Fix Sound and Video Out of Sync in Windows Media Player

By Daniel Smith Aug 04, 2025 Fix Video

Ever been watching your favorite show or movie on Windows Media Player, and suddenly -bam - the sound doesn’t match the video anymore? It’s like watching a poorly dubbed foreign film, but worse - it’s YOUR file! If that’s happening to you, don’t panic, because we’re about to walk you through exactly how to get that video and sound back in perfect harmony.

So, grab some popcorn and let’s figure out why sound and video are out of sync in Windows Media Player and how to fix it in a few simple steps.

Video and Sound Out of Sync Windows Media Player
GUIDE LIST
Part 1: Why Is My Video and Sound Out of Sync in Windows Media Player?
Part 2: How to Fix Sound and Video Out of Sync in Windows Media Player: The Quickest Way
Part 3: How to Fix Sound and Video Out of Sync in Windows Media Player: Traditional Ways
Part 4: How to Sync a Video with Sound Easily
Part 5: FAQs

Part 1: Why Is My Video and Sound Out of Sync in Windows Media Player?

Before you start Googling How to fix my Windows Media Player,' let’s quickly talk about why this happens in the first place. It's actually pretty common, and there are a few reasons you might be experiencing audio-video sync issues:

1.Corrupted Files: Sometimes, the video or audio file itself might be corrupted. This can happen when downloading, transferring, or even encoding a file incorrectly. If something goes wrong during that process, you might end up with out-of-sync media, or Windows Media Player not playing the video file.

2.Outdated Codecs: Think of codecs like the secret ingredients that help Windows Media Player understand how to play different video files. If your codecs are outdated or missing, things may become jumbled, causing audio and video to drift apart.

3.Hardware Problems: If your computer isn’t running as smoothly as it should (hello, lagging!), it could be struggling to keep up with video playback, causing that annoying delay between sound and picture.

4.Incompatible File Formats: If you're trying to play a file that’s a little too exotic for Windows Media Player, it might not sync right. Some file formats are incompatible with certain players.

5.Audio Drivers: Think of drivers as the link between your audio hardware and software. If your audio drivers are outdated or malfunctioning, they may cause delays in sound processing, leading to unsynchronized playback.

Now that we understand why this happens, let’s explore how to fix it.

Part 2: How to Fix Sound and Video Out of Sync in Windows Media Player: The Quickest Way

If you’re looking for the quickest way to get things back in sync without breaking a sweat, is here to save the day. It’s a tool designed to fix all sorts of video issues, including that pesky audio-video sync problem.

It’s super user-friendly, works with numerous video formats, including MP4, MOV, AVI, and more, and it’ll resolve your audio-video sync issues in just a few steps. Let’s take a look at how it works:

Step 1

Download & install ArkThinker Video Repair
Download ArkThinker Video Repair from the buttons below and install it on your computer. Don’t worry, it’s easy and quick to set up!

Step 2

Add your video file
Open the program, and then click on the Add File button from the left section to select the video that’s giving you trouble. It could be any file with sound and video out of sync.

Additionally, do not forget to include a sample video in the right section. That video file will help make the video repair process successful.

Upload Sample Video
Step 3

Repair the video file
Now comes the magic part! Click on the Repair button. ArkThinker will scan your file and attempt to fix the sync issue automatically. If your video file is huge, repairs may take a little longer.

Click Repair
Step 4

Preview and save the video file
After the repair, you can preview your video to make sure everything’s back in sync. If you’re happy with it, click Save to store the newly repaired video.

Now, you can import the fixed video file into your Windows Media Player to check if it is working.

Click Save

What We Like:

• It’s quick, easy to use, and gets great results.

• It works with a variety of formats and fixes common sync issues.

What Could Be Better:

• It’s not free, but you get what you pay for, and this tool is worth the investment for frequent sync fixes!

Part 3: How to Fix Sound and Video Out of Sync in Windows Media Player: Traditional Ways

If you’re more into rolling up your sleeves and fixing things the old-school way, there are a few traditional methods you can try before downloading a tool like ArkThinker.

1. Update Your Codecs

Outdated or missing codecs can cause various issues. One solution is to install or update a codec pack, such as the K-Lite Codec Pack. It’s free and will ensure that your Windows Media Player can properly decode various video files, including those that cause sync issues. This is also the solution when you meet the error of loading media file.

2. Reinstall or Update Audio/Video Drivers

Sometimes, your drivers might just be outdated. Take a quick peek at your computer’s Device Manager, it might have some updates waiting for your audio or video drivers. If you spot any, go ahead and install them, then restart your computer to make sure everything runs smoothly.

Update Graphics Drivers

3. Check Your Hardware Resources

If your computer is struggling to keep up with video playback, it could cause that annoying lag. Try closing unnecessary applications to free up CPU and RAM resources. You may also want to consider upgrading your computer hardware if it’s outdated.

Part 4: How to Sync a Video with Sound Easily

For those who want a bit more power and flexibility in fixing sync issues, ArkThinker Video Converter Ultimate is a great option. Not only does it allow you to convert videos, but it also features a handy tool for manually adjusting the audio-video sync.

It’s an all-in-one tool for editing, converting, and syncing videos. If you're editing or converting videos and notice a sync issue, you can easily adjust the audio delay to restore normal synchronization.

Here are the steps to sync video with sound with ArkThinker Video Converter Ultimate:

Step 1

First, download ArkThinker Video Converter Ultimate for free on your Windows or Mac computer. Don’t worry, it's free! Once you’ve installed it, open the program.

Now, click the Add File button, and import that video of yours that’s acting all out of sync. You know, the one that’s making your favorite scenes sound like they were dubbed in a hurry.

Add Media File
Step 2

Your video is now loaded and ready for action. Click that Edit button (right under the video file) to open the Audio Editing window. It’s like a sound doctor’s office for your video.

Now, select the audio track from your video (because that’s what’s out of sync) and adjust the delay until everything clicks back into place like a puzzle, but one that doesn’t make you cry.

Add Media File
Step 3

Now that your video is in sync, let’s choose a format! Click on the Output Format drop-down menu and pick a format that’ll make your Windows Media Player smile.

MP4 or WMV is usually a safe bet, and it’s like the comfy sweatpants of video formats: works almost everywhere!

Once you’ve got it synced just right, click OK to save your masterpiece. You’ll be whisked back to the main interface, ready for the next step.

Profile Menu
Step 4

Okay, you’re almost there! Double-check everything, and once you’re satisfied with your settings, click the Convert All button. Soon your video will be converted and ready to shine on your Windows Media Player.

Once the conversion is complete, simply transfer the video to Windows Media Player and watch in awe as your audio and video sync seamlessly, like best friends at a concert.

Convert All

Part 5: FAQs

Why is my video and sound out of sync in Windows Media Player?

There could be a few reasons this is happening, and maybe some files got corrupted, the right codecs are missing, the drivers need an update, or your hardware’s just not quite up to the task.

Can ArkThinker Video Repair fix all sync issues?

ArkThinker works well for most sync problems, but if the file is extremely corrupted, the tool might not be able to fix it completely.

How can I prevent sound-video sync issues in the future?

Always download files from reliable sources, keep your drivers up to date, and use compatible file formats to avoid future sync problems.

Conclusion

There you have it! Fixing sound and video out of sync in Windows Media Player is no longer a mystery. Whether you prefer a quick fix with ArkThinker Video Repair or want to try some tried-and-true methods like updating your drivers or codecs, there’s a solution for everyone.
It’s all about finding the approach that fits your situation best, especially if these hiccups tend to pop up often. With these handy tips, you’ll be kicking back and watching your favorite shows without those pesky interruptions in no time

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