Question 1

Why won’t my video play even though the file seems fine?

Accepted Answer

This is often due to missing codecs, unsupported file formats, or corrupted data. Try using a universal player like VLC or convert the video to a widely supported format like MP4 with H.264 encoding.

Question 2

What’s the difference between a codec and a format?

Accepted Answer

A format (e.g., .mp4, .mov) is the container for your video, while a codec (e.g., H.264, HEVC) compresses and decompresses the video/audio data inside it. You need both to be supported by your player or platform.

Question 3

How do I fix codec not supported errors?

Accepted Answer

Install a reliable codec pack (like K-Lite), use a media player with built-in codecs (like VLC), or convert the video to a more common codec/format using software like HandBrake.

Question 4

Why does my video look fine on my computer but won’t upload properly to YouTube/Instagram?

Accepted Answer

Social platforms have specific requirements for file size, resolution, aspect ratio, and codec. Re-encode your video to match those specs—usually MP4 (H.264) with proper resolution and bitrate settings works best.

Question 5

Can I repair a corrupted video file?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes. First, try re-downloading or re-exporting the file. If that fails, you can try video repair tools (e.g., Stellar Repair for Video or VLC’s repair feature for AVI files), but success isn’t guaranteed.

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Video playback issues

Common Video Errors Explained (and How to Fix Them)