As an added bonus VLC Codec Pack includes VLC Player to help with broken or poorly encoded files. When a file refuses to play in Media Player simply press the right mouse button on the file and select 'Open in VLC Player'. Codec's Explained: A codec is a piece of software on either a device or computer capable of encoding and/or decoding video. K-Lite Codec by Codec Guide contains all major codecs necessary for playing videos on different platforms. Unfortunately, when you switch to Mac OS X, K-Lite Codec is no longer a solution. The list below will provide you with alternatives that can successfully replace K-Lite Codec for Mac. HOW TO DOWNLOAD VLC Media Player: o Click on DOWNLOAD VLC Media Player. For the file that you want to download. When your browser asks you what to do with the downloaded file, select 'Save' (your browser's wording may vary) and pick an appropriate folder.; o Always try the Mirrors (EU and EU2 MIRROR LINK) before reporting Broken links. Both servers are fast.

Summary: Are you unable to watch videos on computer or phone due to unsupported video codec error? Learn the best ways to fix unsupported video format or codec error on your Windows, Mac or Android.

It’s annoying to receive unsupported video codec or format errors as they don’t let you play videos.

‘Missing codec. An item was encoded in a format that’s not supported.’

‘Windows Media Player cannot play the file because the required video codec is not installed on your computer.’

‘A codec is required to play this file.’

‘Invalid File Format.’

An error occurred. Unsupported file format.’

You can get such error messages when trying to play a video on PC, Mac, Smart TV, Android or other devices. Unsupported format errors are also reported while trying to open a file in video editing tools.

Why does unsupported codec or format error occur?

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The error as obvious with the messages, appears due to absence of a codec that is required to play the video file on your computer or smartphone.

Technically, a video file comprises a codec and a container. A container is the file format that contains the file metadata while codec is required to encode or decode the video data.

So if your media player or device doesn’t support the video format or codec, it won’t play the video file.

Other than lack of supporting codec, the invalid file format error may also appear when the video file is corrupt.

How to fix an unsupported video codec error?

There are various ways to deal with the unsupported format problem in videos.

Either convert the file format to one that is supported by your media player or change the player itself. You can also consider installing the supporting codec on your system to play the video s.

Below are the methods to fix unsupported codec error and play the videos on your device in any media player:

Method 1: Play video in another media player

Method 2: Download the missing codecs

• How to download codec in Windows Media Player
• How to download codec in VLC Player
• Get codec pack for your PC or Mac

Method 3: Convert the video file format

• Online video converters
• Desktop video converters
• Convert file format using VLC Player

Method 4: Repair video codec error using Stellar Repair for Video

Method 1: Play video in a different media player

Not every media player supports all video file formats. For instance, QuickTime Player only supports MOV, MPEG, some AVI, and WAV files. It cannot play other formats such as AVCHD, MKV or WEBM, etc.

Similarly, Windows Media Player won’t play FLV or FLAC files due to absence of their codecs.

If videos are giving codec error in one media player, try with another. May be the default media player of your device doesn’t support the video file format.

Get VLC Media Player to fix video codec error on Android, Mac or Windows. The player is compatible with most file formats including MP4, AVI, MKV, MOV, AVCHD, etc. You can even watch DVD movies on VLC Player.

There are many free open source multimedia players. Try 5K Player, PotPlayer, Winamp, KMPlayer, Roxio Popcorn, and others.

Also, you can search online, which media players support your video file format and install that on your system.

If video file gives unsupported codec error on Mac, right-click on the file. Click on ‘Open With’ option. Mac may suggest all the installed apps that can play the video.

Method 2: Download the missing video codecs

If the ‘video codec is not supported’ error appears on Windows or Mac, then download the codec.

Search the web for the supported codec of your video file type to install the right codec.

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Another option is to install a complete codec pack such as K-Lite for Windows and Perian for Mac. A codec pack extends support for the default media player on your system. A pack would contain codec for almost all file formats.

However, be aware that there may be malicious ads for codec downloads. This can put your computer at risk. Make sure you download codecs from a trusted source, preferably from the manufacturer’s site.

Some players such as Windows Media player and VLC also have the provision for automatic download of codecs. You can try that as well.

Steps to fix video codec not supported in Windows Media Player:

• Open Windows Media Player.
• Go to Tools > Options.
• Click on Player tab.
• Select the Download codecs automatically check box and make sure you have a continuous internet connection.
• Click OK.
• Next, play your video file in the player. A message will prompt to install codec.
• Click Install.

Steps to download codec in VLC Player

• Open VLC Media Player.
• Click Help >> Check for Updates.

• Click Yes. This will automatically download the new codecs also.

Method 3: Convert the video file format

If you don’t want to install a new codec or codec pack, there is another option.

Convert the file format of your video that is showing unsupported codec error. Choose a different format that is compatible with your player. Usually MP4, MOV, and AVI files are playable in all media players and video editing software.

You can convert a video file format using a desktop converter such as Stellar Converter for Audio Video or via any secure online video converter program.

The open source VLC Media Player can also convert video files to different format.

Steps to convert video in VLC to fix unsupported codec problems:

• Go to Media.
• Select Convert/Save.
• Click Add and select the video to be repaired.

• Click Convert/Save.

• In the Convert window, select new video file format from the Profile options. You can also click on Edit Selected Profile (wrench icon) to edit a specific profile.

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• Once done, click Start to convert the video file.

Convert video file to fix unsupported codec error on Android

Android phones can usually play MP4 and 3GP videos of H.263 or H.264 format. So you can convert videos to either one to play on your smartphone.

Convert file to fix codec not supported error on Smart TV

If you are receiving the codec error on Smart TV when trying to play a video, first transfer the file to your laptop. Next, fix codec issue by converting the video file to a format supported by your Smart TV. You can use any of the above conversion method.

Method 4: Repair video codec error using Stellar Repair for Video

When converting or getting the compatible codecs don’t solve the problem, chances are your video file is giving error due to corruption.

In such a situation, try a video repair software – Stellar Repair for Video.

It can fix unsupported video format error on Windows and Mac computer by fixing the file corruption issues. The DIY software can repair popular video file formats like MP4, MOV, ASF, WMV, MKV, M4V, DIVX, WEBM, AVI, FLV, and others. It’s easy to use and can repair multiple videos in one go.

Steps to repair corrupt videos with Stellar Repair for Video:

• Download and launch Stellar Repair for Video on PC or Mac.
• Click Add file to upload corrupt videos.

• Click Repair to start the repair process.

• Preview the repaired video and click Save Repaired Files. You can save the repaired videos at a desired location on your computer or external media.

Wrapping up

Playing a video in another media player, downloading supporting codecs or converting the file format can help to fix ‘unsupported video format’ error on Windows, Mac or Android.

But if the codec error is appearing because of some corruption in the file, these methods won’t work. You have to go for a video repair software. It is recommended to use a free trial version of the video repair tool. In the trial, you get to preview and play the repaired video.

by Brian Fisher • Feb 27,2020 • Proven solutions

What Is Codec?

Video and audio files come in different formats. Sometimes you may find that you cannot play a video with a particular format in your device. This video needs to be converted to another format that is compatible with your device player such as Windows media player for Window devices or QuickTime for Macs. Codec is used to convert these videos and audio files to formats that can be played by these media. Therefore, a codec is a computer program that converts these files by encoding or decoding them to the desired format. A Codec pack consists of many codecs that are installed at once instead of installing one codec at a time.

Part 1. Converting MP4 Videos with VLC MP4 Codec

The VLC Codec Pack assists in converting videos to a format that can be played on your device. The codec pack comes with codecs that enable various video formats to play on your device. Videos can be converted to or from MP4 using the VLC media player that comes with the VLC codec pack. To do this, you can follow these simple steps: open the VLC media player and click Convert/ Save. Then select the videos to convert using the Add button. Select the destination file. Under Profile, select the output format and then click Start to convert, in this case to MP4 format.

Step 1. Open VLC Media Player - First of all, you need to launch the VLC Media Player and click 'Convert/ Save'.

Step 2. Add Videos - After that, you need to add the MP4 files you need to convert into the program. You can do this simply by hitting the 'Add' button.

Step 3. Select Output File/Format - Next, you need to choose an output format for your video and determine a destination file to store your converted file.

Step 4. Start Conversion - After you have finished, click 'Start' to start the conversion.

Part 2. Best Alternative to VLC MP4 Codec

The best alternative to MP4 Codec is UniConverter. This is a computer program that is used to convert videos from one format to another. Instead of using VLC MP4 codec, you can use this iMedia Converter Converter to convert videos to a format played on your Mac device. This is the best alternative because the software converts videos 90 times faster and it maintains the original quality of images and audio. UniConverter can also be used to download videos and audio as well as burn DVDs.

UniConverter - Best Video Converter

Get the Best VLC MP4 Codec Alternative:

• Convert MP4 videos with only three simple steps.
• Convert MP4 videos to almost all popular formats.
• Download online videos from 1,000+ popular sites.
• Burn MP4 videos to DVD.
• Edit MP4 videos before conversion.
• Preserve the original video quality after conversion.

Step-by-step Guide to Convert MP4 Videos on Mac/PC with iSkysoft

Step 1. Import MP4 Files

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You can use two ways to import files into the software for conversion. Drag and drop the files that you want to be converted to the open program window. Instead of adding a single file each time, you can add a folder. Only note that all the contents of the folder will be added for conversion. Alternatively, you can click the 'Files' button and then select 'Load Media Files' to do this.

Step 2. Set Output Format

Choose the format that you desire as output. This program supports more than 150 formats that are in six categories. Here, the recommended format for your converted videos is 'MOV'.

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Step 3. Convert

Click 'Convert' to start the conversion. Once it is completed, a prompt message will appear asking whether to open the folder.

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UniConverter
Videos/Audios Conversion	You can convert your MP4 videos to a bunch of other formats. Formats supported include AVI, MP4, MOV, NUT, NSV, WebM, MKV, M2TS, TS, VOB, MPEG-2, MPEG-1, MP3, AIFF, WAV, and so on. The converting process is of high speed.
Download Online Videos	You are able to download tons of online videos from a variety of popular sites including YouTube, Break, Facebook, etc. After that, you can directly convert them to suitable formats and have them played on your mobile devices.
Video Editing	You can customize your MP4 videos with the help of various video editing tools provided by the program. You can crop, trim or rotate your videos as well as add watermark and subtitles to your videos.
Burn to DVD	UniConverter makes it easy to burn any downloaded video onto DVD so that you can play it on your big-screen TV. You can also choose a menu template to burn your DVD.