View source for 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.
[http://koti.mbnet.fi/raiska/tutorials/vlc/11a.png 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.
[[Image:http://koti.mbnet.fi/raiska/tutorials/vlc/11b.png]]
[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 [http://mediainfo.sourceforge.net/ 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.

==File format compatibility related questions and problems==

==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''').