Fixing: Windows 10 does not play mp4 files

Possible problems

• VLC does not play in MP4 this is probably due to its settings. To fix the problem, go to the configuration page.
• Windows Media Player is not working. You will have to disable video acceleration.
• Not playable in Movie Maker. Reinstall Windows Live Essentials.

Install Codec Pack

 The mp4 extension files rely on different codes to work properly, and if you don’t have them then it’s advised to download and install the package on your computer. One of the most used is – K-Lite Codec Pack

… Once downloaded and installed, the files will work in all media players.

Switch to a third party media player

Windows Media Player does not have built-in support for all formats. If you don’t want to install the Codec Pack, please install a third party media player.

Run the troubleshooter

• Open the Settings app by pressing Win key + I.
• Go to the Update & Security section.

• On the left pane, go to the Troubleshoot tab. In the right pane, click Video Playback and click Run the troubleshooter.

• Now follow the instructions on the screen

Reinstall Microsoft Live Essentials

If Movie Maker doesn’t work on your system, the problem is with Microsoft Live Essentials. This is solved by the usual removal of the application from your PC along with all its documents through the control panel. After uninstalling Microsoft Live Essentials, download the latest version from official site

 and install it.

Disable Accelerated Video Format in WMV DirectX

• Turn on Media Player.
• Go to Arrange> Options.
• Go to Performance and disable Enable DirectX Video Acceleration for WMV Documents.

• Now click “Apply”.

After disabling this feature, restart your player and check if the issue is resolved.

Changing the file extension

• Find the document.
• To show document extensions, click View -> File Name Extensions.
• Change the name for example: video.mp4, change it to video.mp4v.

Change VLC player settings

• Open VLC.
• Go to Tools> Preferences.
• Now select Input / Codecs.
• Find Hardware Accelerated Decoding and change it from Disabled to Automatic.

Convert format

There are many great applications for converting documents to another format. Download and use them. (link1

, link2

) Keep in mind that the conversion takes time, usually a couple of minutes depending on the size of your video.