Best Tips to Fix VLC Not Playing MKV Files

Eleanor Reed

Dec 25, 2020 • Filed to: Photo/Video/Audio Solutions • Proven solutions

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The high definition files hold audio, video, image, and subtitle content in a single container even though they have different formats. Many users turn to VLC media player to play these massive files and end up facing problems.

The most common ones when playing MKV files on the VLC player are VLC audio delay, playback stuttering, fuzzy image, and buggy interface quirks. With these issues, users are left with one or two options, like using a second-best alternative VLC media player or converting MKV files to a better compatible video format MP4 or MOV.

Along with these options, the user ends up getting more hassled in solving the issue. Today, plenty of MKV repair solutions are available in the market to tackle the problems, but it is essential to opt for reliable, secure, and user-friendly repair tools.

Part 1: Does VLC Play MKV Files?

MKV is also known as Matroska Video file, which is free, open multimedia that differentiate from MP4, AVI, and many other standard extension files. However, MKV is not the video file that all media players can support to play.

On the other hand, the VLC media player is a portable, free, and open source cross-platform multimedia player. It is available worldwide for desktop operating systems and even for mobile platforms, like Android, iOS, iPadOS, Tizen, Windows 10 Mobile, and Windows Phone.

The VLC player can easily recognize and play most multimedia files and DVDs, Audio CDs, VCDs, and various streaming protocols, including MKV files. It allows converting the MKV video to simpler formats like MP4, which is compatible with most modern devices.

So YES, usually, VLC does play MKV video files.

Part 2: 4 Solutions to MKV File Not Playing on VLC

MKV format is by default supported by VLC. It can easily read and open MKV videos. Even so, many users face issues whenever they play MKV videos on the VLC media player.

The most common errors that usually occur are MKV file not playing, grey screen, pop-up error messages while playing MKV file, downloading MKV indefinitely, choppy videos, no sound, errors on the external subtitle, and many more. At the same time, there are various step by step solutions provided online to tackle the troubles.

Issue 1. VLC Skipping MKV or HD MKV

• Go to VLC Menu – From Tools menubar - Select Preferences option.
• Select the All Radio Button on the bottom left from the dialog window.
• Go to the Input/Codecs section – a list will appear.
• Select the File Caching(ms) option under the advanced section.
• Set it to 1000.

Issue 2. Choppy Video While Playing MKV and HD MKV on VLC

Choppy videos spoil the fun of the viewing experience. There can be several reasons behind a rough, jerky, or broken video. Reasons include faulty SD cards, technical glitches, audio/video codec issues, outdated media players, corrupt or damaged video files, unsupportable video file format, etc.

• Go to VLC Menu – From Tools menubar - Select Preferences option.
• Select the All Radio Button on the bottom left from the dialog window.
• Select Input/Codecs option.
• Select the Video Codecs option.
• Select FFmpeg option - Disable Hardware Decoding option on the list that appears.

Issue 3. VLC Media Player Has No Sound

Most VLC users get frustrated when the VLC media player produces no audio while playing the videos. Like viewing, aural experience is equally essential for enjoyment. If the problem continues to persist after checking all the sound-related panels and speakers on our devices, just check the steps.

• Go to VLC Menu – From Tools menubar - Select Preferences option.
• Click on the Audio icon.
• Select the Enable Audio option.
• Go to Output option and Select options from Output Module and HDMI/SPDIF audio passthrough.

Issue 4. MKV file is corrupted or damaged

In some cases, the MKV file may get corrupted or damaged, and thus VLC fails to play it. But you can try a video repair tool to fix it.

Wondershare Repairit Video Repair is one of the robust tools of modern times in the market. The ultimate corrupt video file fixer repairs videos from different devices, like memory cards, SD cards, computer hard drives, digital cameras, action cameras, etc.

The video file corruption can be due to memory card error, file transfer error, interrupted system shutdown, corrupted recovered videos, virus attacks, or any other reason. Wondershare Video Repair works to repair them. It supports a wide range of video formats with different damage signs.

Moreover, the powerful software guides us on how to recover a corrupt video file instantly with easy steps. How easy are they? The instruction shows you the easy task - 4 steps to repairing the damaged MKV file using the MKV Video Repair tool.

Step 1. Add Damaged MKV Video File

Firstly launch the application on the computer. Click the Add button or Add video and start repairing the option to add damaged videos.

Step 2. Repair Damaged MKV Video File

• Select multiple video files for repairing.
• Select the Repair button to start the process.

Step 3. Preview and Save Repaired MKV Video File

• The repair process will take some time.
• Once the process completes, a pop-up screen will display.
• Once selected, it starts repairing MKV video files.
• Click on the preview button to see repaired MKV files.

Step 4. Advanced Video Repair (Optional)

• The Advanced Repair mode helps you repair severely corrupted video files. Click on the button.
• A new window will display and click the Folder icon to browse and choose a sample file.
• Click on the Repair button.

Step 5. Save Recovered Videos

• The repair process is over in some time.
• Save the repaired MKV video file at the desired location.

This software also enables you to repair MP4 videos.

Part 3: 2 Tricks on Playing MKV Files on VLC Smoothly

Tip 1. Convert MKV Files to More Compatible Formats

If the error screen, choppy videos, no audio, dragging, or any other type of problem persists, convert the MKV file to DivX, WMV, MPEG-4, and other VLC-supported formats.

Tip 2. Play MKV Files Sleekly with VLC Alternative

5KPlayer is called the second-best VLC alternative available globally to meet the user demands. It is embedded with 450+ video codec and 180+ audio codec, the need to install third-party software, plug-ins, or any codec pack like CCCP - the one VLC needs to play MKV are not at all required. There are many features that make the VLC alternative a better and superior option compared to VLC on Video playback.

• It supports MKV (H.265) fluently without issues.
• Allows playing 4K MKV on both Mac and PC.
• It contains a media library.
• No DVD problem.
• Easy to download.
• Drag and drop MKV files and enjoy high-quality video viewing without interruptions.