Why and How to Fix My VLC Media Player Not Showing Video

Have you ever clicked play on your VLC media player, only to be met with a black screen or no video at all? It’s frustrating, especially when you’re just trying to watch your favorite video or movie. If you’ve found yourself asking, Why is my media player not showing video? or Why is my VLC media player not showing video? you’re definitely not alone. It’s a common issue that can be caused by a number of factors, from software glitches to problems with your video files. But don't worry, we will explain the reasons and provide 6 solutions to fix the issue.

GUIDE LIST

Part 1. What Causes VLC Media Player Not Showing Video?

Part 2. 6 Ways to Fix VLC Media Player Not Showing Video

Part 3. FAQs

Part 1. What Causes VLC Media Player Not Showing Video?

There are several reasons your VLC media player might not show video. It’s not just an issue with the player itself – sometimes the problem lies with your system or the video file you're trying to play. Here's what might be causing the issue:

Outdated VLC Version

If you're using an older version of VLC, it could be incompatible with newer video file formats or updates that affect playback. Always check to ensure your VLC is up to date.

Corrupted Video File

Sometimes, the video file you're trying to play may be corrupted, which could be why the video isn’t showing up. It can happen when a corrupted video file is improperly downloaded, transferred, or stored.

Faulty Codec

VLC uses codecs to decode video files for playback. If VLC doesn't have the right codec for the video file format, it might fail to display the video, even though the audio works fine.

Hardware Acceleration Settings

Sometimes, VLC’s hardware acceleration settings can interfere with video playback, causing the video to fail to display. This is especially common with high-definition videos or when there’s a mismatch in system compatibility.

Graphics Driver Issues

An outdated or incompatible graphics driver can also prevent video playback. VLC may fail to show video if there’s a problem with your computer’s display drivers.

Too Many Background Apps

If your system is bogged down with background applications, it can affect VLC’s performance. Having too many apps open at once can cause the video to fail to load.

Part 2. 6 Ways to Fix VLC Media Player Not Showing Video

Now that we know why this issue happens, let’s explore six fixes you can try to get VLC showing your videos again.

Fix 1: ArkThinker Video Repair: Fix Corrupted Video Files

If your VLC media player is not showing video because the file itself is corrupted, ArkThinker Video Repair can help. It’s an easy-to-use tool designed specifically for fixing damaged or corrupted video files. Whether it’s a corrupted MP4, MOV, AVI, or another common format, ArkThinker can repair it quickly and effectively.

Here’s how I used ArkThinker to fix a video that wouldn’t play in VLC:

Open the program and add the corrupted video file on the left side. Besides, you need to add a sample video on the right side. The sample video is the video file that is from the same source as your corrupted video.

The tool is super easy to use, even for beginners. It’s fast and supports multiple video formats. However, the free version allows you to preview the repaired video but requires a paid version for full repair functionality.

Fix 2: Update VLC Media Player

If you’re still running an old version of VLC, it’s time to update. You can easily check for updates by clicking on Help in the top menu and selecting Check for Updates. If an update is available, download and install it, then try playing the video again.

Fix 3: Disable Hardware Acceleration

If the video isn’t showing due to hardware acceleration issues, turn it off in VLC’s settings. Go to Tools > Preferences, then click on the Input/Codecs tab. Under the Hardware-accelerated decoding section, select Disable and save your changes. Restart VLC and try the video again.

Fix 4: Update Graphics Drivers

Outdated graphics drivers can cause VLC to not display videos. Head over to your graphics card manufacturer’s website (like NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) and download the latest drivers. Install them and restart your computer to see if the issue is fixed.

This solution also works when the media player is not playing sound or video.

Fix 5: Change VLC Video Output Settings

Sometimes the issue is with VLC’s video output settings. To change them, go to Tools > Preferences, then click on the Video tab. In the Output section, try selecting a different video output module, such as DirectX, OpenGL, or Automatic, and save the settings.

Fix 6: Try Playing a Different Video File

If the issue persists with just one video file, it might be corrupted. Try playing a different file to see if VLC works. If the new video plays fine, you can try fixing the corrupted file (keep reading for a fix using ArkThinker Video Repair).

Fix 7: Reset VLC Preferences

If none of the above solutions work, try resetting VLC to its default settings. Go to Tools > Preferences, click the Reset Preferences button, and then restart VLC. This will reset all the settings to their default state and could solve any issues caused by misconfigured preferences.

Part 3. FAQs

Conclusion