WindowsFAQ-0.8.x

This page contains list of common questions and problems that Windows users have about VLC.

Video output related questions and problems

Why does VLC only give black, white or garbled video output?

Usually the problem lies in display adapter drivers. If you are too scared to update your display adapter drivers you can change VLC settings to make video work. If you are using Windows XP or older the easiest fix is usually to disable Overlay video output which can be found first opening Settings -> Preferences... and then choosing Video. After you have unticked the Overlay video output, press Save to save VLC settings and restart VLC after that to make sure changes are enabled. Image about Overlay video output setting

If disabling Overlay video output doesn't help the next step is to change video output module. Open Settings -> Preferences... and then choosing Video -> Output module (remember to tick Advanced options box). There are multiple output modules you can use. For Windows XP and younger you can try DirectX 3D, DirectX, OpenGL and Windows GDI video output modules. Remember to press Save to save VLC settings and restart VLC after that to make sure changes are enabled. File:Http://koti.mbnet.fi/raiska/tutorials/vlc/11b.png Image about video output modules setting

Audio output related questions and problems

Crackles, pops, hizzes and other audio anomalies

If you hear some unwanted audio problems

(Graphical) user interface related questions and problems

How can I separate playback controls from playback window?

Go to Settings -> Preferences and Interface -> Main interface -> wxWidgets and untick Embed video in interface selection. Remember to press Save to save VLC settings and restart VLC after that to make sure changes are enabled.

Codec compatibility related questions and problems

How can I identify what codecs the file uses

With VLC, Open the file you want and open View -> Stream and Media Info and go to Advanced information tab.

VLC doesn't identify used codecs correctly or gives "undf" as codec or I want more information about specs

There are multiple video and audio identification tools, but one very useful is tool called Mediainfo.

H.264/MPEG-4 AVC playback is too slow

You can speed up the H.264/MPEG-4 AVC playback by disabling loop filter for H.264 decoding. To do this go to Settings -> Preferences and Input / Codecs -> Other codecs -> FFmpeg (remember to tick Advanced options box) and in the drop-down box for Skip the loop filter for H.264 decoding change it to All. Remember to press Save to save VLC settings and restart VLC after that to make sure changes are enabled.

Subtitles related questions and problems

Dragging and dropping the subtitles to VLC disables pause

This is know issue. It will be hopefully fixed in upcoming releases. Only solution is to either open subtitles from Use a subtitles file when you open file you want to watch or trust to Autodetect subtitle files and name the subtitles in same as the movie (for example, my_movie.avi and my_movie.srt).