The different formats of video files represent different levels of compression. MP4 is a container format and can store video, audio and other information, allows for large video files to be much smaller. So, it is a highly sought after and popular format of video. However, Some playback software like Windows Media Player (12) comes with built-in support to open MP4 files, but that does not guarantee that the all MP4 video and audio data can be played without additional software. So some tweaking has to be done to play MP4 in Windows Media Player.
First You Must Read: File types supported by Windows Media Player
The Major issues that lead to MP4 malfunctioning are as follows:
MP4 not played at all
The users are facing issue with audio
The issue of video/voice synchronization
MP4 Video file is corrupted or broken
All of above
In order to make sure that the Windows Media Player can’t play MP4 issues is resolved, you need go on reading the following four different ways
Method 1. K-Lite Codec Pack
Method 2. Install MP4 codecs from microsoft.com
Method 3. Fix corrupted MP4 video
Method 4. Convert MP4 to Windows Media Player compatible format
Play MP4 on Windows Media Player Method 1. K-Lite Codec Pack
One of the best codecs for Windows Media Player is the K-Lite Codec Pack. The K-Lite Codec Pack lets Windows Media Player play many file formats, including MP4, MKV, OGG and FLAC. The codec pack is available in different-sized packages: basic, standard, full and mega. The larger packs contain more codecs and include a lightweight media player called Media Player Classic.
To download the K-Lite Codec Pack, navigate to the Codec Guide website and click “Download”. Select a mirror from which to download the software. Once it has downloaded, install the software. Restart the computer and then play the MP4 file.
Play MP4 on Windows Media Player Method 2. Install MP4 codecs from microsoft.com
This is the second and a relatively tech savvy process that should be followed in this regard to make sure that the user gets the best result. It is also to be noted that the complete information about the installation is available at the URL https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/316992 whereas to download the codecs it is advised to paste the URL https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=507 during the process to make sure that the right direction is again taken. The complete process is as follows:
Step 1. The mp4 file that is giving the error is to be played using the media player so that the following error appears:
Step 2. It is also to be noted that the web help button is to be pressed to proceed further in this regard and to make sure that the process advances:
Step 3. WMplugins.com is the ink that is then to be followed:
Step 4. Within the search bar as it has been mentioned before as well the link i.e. the URL https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=507 is to be pasted to get the results:
Step 5. The download button is to be pressed and the prompts are to be followed to make sure that the codec is installed and the player should be restarted to make sure that the process ends in full and the file is played without any issue:
Play MP4 on Windows Media Player Method 3. Fix corrupted MP4 video
Why MP4 Video Files are Corrupted or Broken?
Videos may corrupt due to various reasons. Here we list several commonest causes.
Record MP4 videos when the storage media such as memory card is full.
Camcorder or device error while recording MP4 videos.
Interruption while moving video files from one storage drive to another.
The header file of a MP4 video is corrupted due to unknown errors.
CRC errors or interruption during MP4 video file download.
Virus infection or bad sectors on the storage drive containing your MP4 videos.
Changing the MP4 file format from one to another can also cause video corruption
Therefor, if you can’t play MP4 files on Windows Media Player because the file was corrupted, we need to use professional, easily, safe and top-ranked MP4 Video Repair software to repair your Corrupted or Broken MP4 videos and more help you. The software named Hivimoore Video Repair.
Support Repairing Files:
Repair video files on Windows: MP4, WMV, ASF, MOV, M4V, 3G2, 3GP and F4V.
Repair video files on Mac: MP4, MOV, M4V, M4A and F4V.
Available for: Windows 10 / 8.1 / 8 / 7 / Vista / XP, also available for Mac and it supports the latest macOS Sierra 10.12, 10.11, 10.10, 10.9, 10.8, 10.7.
Hivimoore Video Repair is simple and user friendly MP4 Video Repair tool. It comes with some extraordinary features that ensures read-only mechanism that is safe and provides full recovery of the corrupted file. Hivimoore Software also offers unlimited free support to help you, incase you need any kind of assistance.
Now, you can free download the MP4 Repair on your Windows:
Then, follow our relevant steps on how to repair corrupted MP4 for playing on Windows Media Player 12.
Tips: Some Safety Measures to Avoid MP4 Video File Corruption
Don’t record MP4 video when camera battery is low.
Avoid use of untrusted third party software to play MP4 videos.
Do not eject memory card during MP4 file transfer process.
Never record MP4 videos when memory card is full.
Play MP4 on Windows Media Player Method 4. Convert MP4 to WMP compatible format
As an example, let’s take the software Hivimoore Video Converter Ultimate. It is designed as the worlds’s No.1 fast and the state of the art Video Converter, built-in with hardware encoder to make sure that the MP4 format is converted to another 30 times faster. Built-in with YouTube downloader, capable of downloading and converting MP4 videos for playing back on Windows Media Player, for example: WMV – the best compatible format for Windows Media Player. On top of that, the WMV is less compressed than MP4, and this results in better video quality.
Plus, the best MP4 Video Converter is also a functional video editor, which can auto fix incorrect data, repair your corrupted (common, HD, 3D, 4K)MP4 video file and convert MP4 to 159+ video codecs for playing on various platforms, incl. iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV, Android phone and tablet, Media Server, Chromecast, Roku, Seagate, HD Media Player, Game Consoles, smart TVs, VR Headsets, PPT, even all Non-linear editing softwares, etc.
Free Download Hivimoore Video Converter Ultimate and get it installed on your computer:
Note: It is very important that you should make sure that each and every step is followed without any skipping to get the state of the art results without any issue:
Step 1. Installed and run the program to begin the process. Then click the “Add files” button to add the desired MP4 video easily:
Step 2. The output format as per the need and demand is then to be selected and it should be made sure that the format is compatible with the WMP so that the right direction is set and the process advances further, you can choose WMV format:
Step 3. In the last step you should make sure that the “Convert” button is pressed and the user gets the file converted and this also marks the end of the process in full.
This 3 step process is the easiest way to overcome the Windows Media Player can’t read MP4 files issue.
Now, the converted MP4 file can then be played on Windows Media Player without any problems:
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