[Fixed]GoPro Hero 4K Videos not Playing on Mac

Are you struggling to play GoPro Hero 4K videos on your Mac? But Gopro videos not showing up on Mac? You're not alone. Many people have trouble watching high-resolution 4K footage on a Mac with choppy playback, lagging, or even missing audio. These issues can be frustrating when you're eager to relive those incredible moments. Thanks to a few simple solutions, though, you can easily enjoy your GoPro footage.

In this guide, we'll explore the most common GoPro 4K footage reasons why GoPro videos not playing on Mac properly on your Mac and provide clear, step-by-step fixes to get everything running smoothly. We'll take care of it all, whether it's a problem with the software, a limitation with the hardware, or a simple change to the settings.

Why GoPro Videos Not Playing on Mac?

When your GoPro video not playing on Mac, the issue typically stems from codec compatibility, hardware limitations, or file problems. Here are the main reasons behind these common playback issues:

Reason 1: HEVC Codec Not Supported

Many GoPro cameras use HEVC (H.265) encoding for 4K footage, but older Mac systems and default media players often lack full HEVC support. This codec incompatibility causes GoPro videos not playing properly, resulting in stuttering, missing audio, or complete playback failure. Even newer Macs with limited processing power may struggle with smooth HEVC playback.

Reason 2: Limited CineForm Codec Support

GoPro's CineForm codec, designed for professional editing workflows, isn't widely supported by standard Mac media players. Since most consumer video players lack native CineForm compatibility, this often results in GoPro video not playing or displaying playback errors like stuttering and failure to open files.

Reason 3: Insufficient 4K Hardware Support

Ultra-high definition GoPro footage demands significant processing power that older Mac systems may lack. When your Mac or media player can't handle 4K resolution, you'll experience buffering, severe lagging, or GoPro videos not playing at all. This is especially common with older hardware or non-optimized video players.

Reason 4: Low Mac Storage Space

Large GoPro video files require substantial storage for smooth playback. When your Mac's storage is nearly full, the system lacks adequate space for video caching and processing, causing GoPro video not playing issues, buffering problems, or complete playback failure.

Reason 5: Corrupted Video Files

File corruption during recording, transfer, or storage can prevent GoPro videos not playing on Mac. Common causes include battery dying mid-recording, improper SD card removal, or interrupted file transfers. Corrupted files typically won't open, freeze during playback, or display error messages.

How to Fix GoPro Videos Not Playing on Mac?

“Frustration rises when technology fails us at the worst times.” This rings true when you're eager to watch your GoPro videos, only to find it won't play on your Mac. Issues like choppy playback, corrupted files, or no sound can quickly turn excitement into disappointment.

One of the solutions to tackle these problems is Wondershare Recoverit Video Repair, a tool designed to fix corrupted or damaged video files. With its simple interface, it allows you to restore unplayable GoPro videos, ensuring smooth playback. Let’s explore more ways to get your GoPro videos back on track.

Method 1. Fix Corrupted GoPro Videos Using Recoverit Video Repair

If your file is damaged due to a faulty SD card, improper ejection, or a sudden power loss while recording, a specialized repair tool is your best bet. Wondershare Recoverit is a powerful data recovery and repair solution trusted by professionals to fix corrupted GoPro videos and make them playable on macOS.

Why Choose Recoverit for GoPro Video Repair?

• Specialized for GoPro: Engineered to handle the H.264/MP4 formats native to GoPro cameras.
• High Recovery Rate: Effectively repairs videos that are frozen, choppy, blurry, or simply won't open.
• Broad Compatibility: Works with all Mac models (Intel & Apple Silicon) and supports SD cards, microSD cards, and other storage media.
• User-Friendly Interface: Its intuitive design makes video repair on Mac a simple, three-step process—no technical expertise required.

How to Repair Your Corrupted GoPro Video on Mac?

1. Add Your Corrupted GoPro Videos: Launch Wondershare Recoverit on your Mac. From the main interface, select "Video Repair" from the left panel. Click the "+ Add" button to import the corrupted video files that won't play. You can add multiple files for batch repair, saving you time.

   

2. Initiate the Repair Process: Once all the problematic videos are added, click the "Repair" button to start the standard repair process. Recoverit will begin analyzing and fixing the corruption in your files.

   

3. Preview and Save Repaired Videos: After the process completes, you can preview the repaired videos directly within Recoverit to confirm they play smoothly. This is a crucial step to verify the repair's success. If satisfied, select the files and click "Save All" to choose a new, safe location on your Mac to store them.

   

Pro Tip: If the standard repair doesn't fully resolve the issue, use the "Advanced Video Repair" mode. This powerful feature requires you to provide a "sample video"—a working video file recorded in the same format and on the same device as the corrupted one. This helps Recoverit better understand the file structure for a deeper, more effective repair.

Method 2. Fix Corrupted GoPro Videos Using VLC Media Player

Another method for recovering GoPro files involves converting them to a different format using VLC Media Player. While it’s more time-consuming and requires careful attention, it can still work. However, experts recommend simpler options like using repair software.

To recover GoPro files via VLC:

1. Open VLC on your device and click on "Media" in the menu.
2. Select the corrupted file by choosing "Convert/Save" and adding the file to the list.

   

3. Choose a codec for transcoding and click "Start" to begin converting the file format.

Method 3. Update Graphics Drivers

When your GoPro videos won't play on PC, updating your graphics drivers is an essential first step in resolving problems with video playback. Problems with driver compatibility can frequently result from outdated or incompatible graphics drivers. Your graphics drivers need be updated like follows:

1. Press Win + X then choose "Device Manager" from the menu that shows up.
2. To expand your Play Adapters, click "Display Adapters," then right-click on it and choose "Update Graphic Driver."

   

3. For rapid downloads, select "Search automatically for updated driver software". Alternatively download the correct driver from the manufacturer's website and install it using "Browse my computer for driver software".

   

You cannot manually install graphic drivers on a Mac. Update them instead using a regular system update.

Method 4. Run Video Playback Troubleshooter

Using the built-in Video Playback Troubleshooter will help if you still find GoPro video playback on Windows 10 problematic. Steps to follow:

1. Open the "Settings" menu by pressing Win + I, then choose "Update & Security."
2. Click "Troubleshoot" on the left side, then choose "Additional troubleshooters," to get Troubleshoot Options.

   

3. Run the Troubleshooter by scrolling down to "Video Playback." Click on it then select "Run the troubleshooter."

   

4. Follow Instructions: Use the on-screen recommendations to let the troubleshooter identify and resolve any problems. Try playing your GoPro video again after you've finished the process to see if the problem has been rectified.

Method 5. Install K-Lite Cod Pack

1. Browse the official K-Lite website and select a version to download. The basic or standard version will be satisfactory for most clients.
2. To start the installation procedure, open the downloaded file.

   

3. Follow the on-screen prompts to finish the setup. Installation decisions can be changed or left as they are.
4. Following installation, restart your device. To see if the problem has been fixed, try playing your GoPro videos with your chosen media player.

Method 6. Convert GoPro HEVC Video to H.264

GoPro 4K video might not be playing because of its HEVC format. Compatibility problems can be resolved by converting it to H.264.more commonly supported format. Use HandBrake, a free video transcoder, to do the following steps:

1. Get HandBrake from its official website and install it on your Device.
2. To import your GoPro HEVC video file, launch HandBrake and select "File" on Windows or "Open Source" on Mac.

   

3. Your video should play properly on different devices and players thanks to this simple conversion.

Conclusion

Resolving GoPro Hero 4K videos that won't play on Mac frequently entails tackling problems like unsupported HEVC codecs, a lack of Mac support for 4K playback, or file corruption. You can fix these playback issues and continue to enjoy your footage by experimenting with other video formats, updating graphics drivers, or converting videos to more compatible formats like H.264.