How to Fix Choppy Video Playback on VLC Media Player in Windows 7

Have you ever been watching a movie or a YouTube video on VLC Media Player and noticed that it keeps freezing or stuttering? It’s seriously annoying, right? Especially if you’re just trying to enjoy your content, and the playback keeps glitching. Well, if you’re dealing with this on Windows 7, you’re not alone. Many people encounter this issue, and it’s not just a problem with VLC Media Player itself. There can be multiple reasons behind choppy video playback, but don’t worry! I’ve got your back with a bunch of solutions that should help you get back to smooth streaming in no time.

GUIDE LIST

Part 1. Possible Reasons That Cause Choppy Video Playback on VLC Media Player

Part 2. How to Fix Choppy Video Playback on VLC Media Player

Part 3. FAQs

Part 1. Possible Reasons That Cause Choppy Video Playback on VLC Media Player

So, why does VLC Media Player have choppy video playback in the first place? There are several reasons this could be happening, and I’ve come across most of them while troubleshooting issues on my own Windows 7 PC. Here are the most common ones:

Outdated VLC Version

The first thing you should check is whether you’re using the latest version of VLC. Older versions may contain bugs or issues that can affect video playback, resulting in stuttering or freezing.

Low System Resources

If your PC doesn’t have enough processing power or RAM, VLC might struggle to play videos smoothly. Windows 7 PCs, especially older ones, often encounter this issue when trying to play HD or high-bitrate videos, such as 4K or large MP4 files.

Corrupted Video Files

Sometimes, the issue isn’t with the player at all. If your video file is corrupted or damaged, VLC won’t be able to read it properly, which can cause lagging and other playback issues, like video no sound in media player.

VLC Settings

Sometimes, it’s simply a matter of incorrect settings. VLC has numerous configurations, and if they’re not set up correctly, you may experience poor playback performance.

Codec Issues

VLC generally handles most video formats, but if a necessary codec is missing or there’s a mismatch between the video format and your hardware, you may encounter choppy playback issues.

Part 2. How to Fix Choppy Video Playback on VLC Media Player

Now that we know what could be causing the problem, let’s dive into the solutions! Here’s what you can do to fix choppy video playback on VLC Media Player in Windows 7:

1. ArkThinker Video Repair - A Quick Fix for Choppy Playback

Now, let’s discuss ArkThinker Video Repair, which I’ve found to be one of the most effective tools for resolving choppy video playback issues in VLC Media Player. This software is designed to repair corrupt or damaged video files, supporting a wide variety of formats, including MP4, MOV, AVI, and many others. It only takes a few minutes to repair your videos so they are playable in VLC.

The software is extremely easy to use, and it quickly resolved the issues I had with the videos. The only downside is that the free version only allows you to repair a limited number of videos, so you’ll need to upgrade if you have a large number of files to fix. However, overall, it’s a fantastic tool for anyone experiencing video playback issues.

2. Update VLC Media Player

The first step is to ensure that VLC is up to date. VLC developers frequently release updates to fix bugs and improve playback, so running an outdated version can cause issues like choppy video playback. To update VLC, simply open the player, navigate to the Help menu, and select Check for Updates. If an update is available, install it, and try playing your video again.

3. Adjust VLC Settings for Better Performance

If your PC is struggling with resources, you can tweak VLC’s settings to reduce the load. Go to Tools > Preferences, and in the Video section, try changing the output module. Sometimes switching to a different video output (like DirectX Output) can help with performance. Additionally, consider disabling Hardware Decoding under Input/Codecs.

4. Fix Corrupted AVI Video Files

If the video file itself is corrupted, you might not be able to fix it with VLC settings alone. Luckily, there are tools available that can repair damaged video files. VLC features a repair function to fix corrupted AVI video files.

Just Open VLC and go to Tools > Preferences. Under the Input / Codecs tab, look for the section called Damaged or incomplete AVI file. Then, select Always Fix from the drop-down menu. Finally, click Save to start repairing the AVI video file in VLC.

4. Try Converting the Video Format

Sometimes, VLC might have issues with specific video formats. If you’re dealing with a choppy MP4 file, for example, converting it to a different format, such as AVI or MKV, can sometimes help. You can use VLC itself to convert the video, or you can use a third-party converter. Either way, this can sometimes fix playback issues.

5. Optimize Your Computer’s Performance

If your computer is just too slow, VLC might struggle to keep up. Close any unnecessary background applications that are using up your computer’s resources. You can also try upgrading your RAM or getting a faster hard drive to improve overall performance. If you’re dealing with HD or 4K videos, these upgrades could make a huge difference.

Part 3. FAQs

Conclusion