Can’t play AVI files in Window Media Player?

Posted on March 29, 2009 at 5:45 am

Recently, I was on a friends computer and when I tried to play an AVI file that I had stored on my USB stick, nothing happened! Actually, it loaded up the first frame and then went blank. On other videos, the first frame would show, but it would not play the AVI file.

Apparently, this is a more common problem with Windows Media Player than I had previously known. After trying out a couple of solutions, I was able to get the videos playing again!

Revert to System Restore point

If this has just starting happening to you in the last coupe of days, the easiest way to get things back to normal is just to restore your computer to a point before the problem starting occurring.

The issue here is that there are some files that may have become corrupted in Windows Media Player and therefore do not load AVI videos properly.

You can read my previous post on how to restore your computer to an earlier time. If you turned off or disabled System Restore, then keep reading.

Install/Re-install Codec Packs

The other issue could be with the particular codec pack you are using. By default, Windows Media Player should be able to play AVI files without any codec pack. However, sometimes installing a third-party codec pack will fix the issue.

My favorite codec pack that works very well is K-Lite Codec Pack. It’s got all the latest codecs and doesn’t conflict with other software on your system. You may also want to try installing ffdshow.

You can also read my post on how to check for codec problems on your PC using a free program called the Codec Detective. If this does not fix your problem, then keep reading!

Check Windows Media Player File Association

The next thing you can try is pretty obvious, but may solve your problem. Oddly, this was the issue I was having on my friends computer. Open Windows Media player and go to Tools and then Options.

Now click on the File Types tab and make sure that AVI is selected in the list. If it’s not selected, it may be the reason why your videos are not playing.

Reinstall Windows Media Player

If none of the above solutions worked, you may want to try and reinstall or upgrade Windows Media player to see if that fixes the problem. However, in my case, upgrading from Windows Media Player 10 to 11 didn’t help!

You can also try to run the System File Checker command in DOS, which checks all system files and replaces corrupted or deleted ones with the originals. You can run the command by going to Start, Run and typing in CMD. At the prompt, type

sfc /scannow

If you still can’t play AVI files in Windows Media Player, post a comment and either I or someone else will try to help you out! Enjoy!

» Filed Under Computer Tips

Comments

16 Responses to “Can’t play AVI files in Window Media Player?”

Ace said on : March 30th, 2009 at 3:47 am

I’m sick of avi files not displaying video (just audio), your post is useful so I can make it work on other PCs because there tons of much better avi players than Microsoft’s.

xhezairZ1 said on : March 30th, 2009 at 3:19 pm

o_O! i use K-Lite Codecs Pack, and it works way better then Windows Media Player on playing different format videos.

Jessica said on : March 31st, 2009 at 10:10 am

Whoever wrote this THANK YOU! I searched everywhere for the answer to my problems. Most sites give you one solution only and it’s hardly ever the one I need. I didn’t even know what a codec was but you helped me fix it anyway. THANK YOU

Jmc said on : April 11th, 2009 at 5:04 pm

Thanks a lot, this info helped, I downloaded the codec pack and my AVI files play perfectly!

avifan said on : April 24th, 2009 at 5:11 pm

Installing the Codec Pack as per the info in this URL helped me to play the AVI file using Media Player. Thanks.

Sleepless in Seatle said on : July 26th, 2009 at 7:48 pm

THANK YOU! Fixed my problem.

mille said on : August 2nd, 2009 at 7:04 am

hi, i’ve been following your steps in “Check Windows Media Player File Association” but after I click “tools” then “option”, the “file types” button is not there. i was wondering if i have a different version of W.M.P. and how can i see if avi is selected. Thank you.

By the way, i’ve downloaded the k-lite codec pack, is this much better than W.M.P.?

Sankev said on : November 17th, 2009 at 1:51 pm

To fix codec error with AVI, just download and reinstall INDEO VIDEO 5.11,

free-codecs.com/indeo_codec_download.htm (copy & paste url)

And my AVI videos now play again.

Caroline said on : December 1st, 2009 at 3:01 am

Hi I tried a system restore, the K-Lite Codec pack and the Indeo Vedeo 5.11. Nothing works. I can watch files that were downloaded before 2 days ago but after that nothing. I get the error message “The file you are attempting to play does not match.” They are all .avi files.

Please help

Caroline

ed said on : January 5th, 2010 at 5:45 pm

just download the VLC media player, it plays far better than any other media player i’ve used and its free to download… thats my recommendation anyway, as i find anything microsoft make always seems to bug up anyway.

Ausguy said on : January 19th, 2010 at 6:54 pm

hey i was wondering if i could get some help. i have an avi file but windows media player says its an incorrect file type and can not play it! neither does VLC! could someone give me some help?

keimah said on : January 26th, 2010 at 12:33 am

I have one file .avi and the file size is 684MB but it can play only 4 seconds stating ‘Use Windows Media Player’. I tried VLC, Media Classic, GOM player. But still in vain. If I could get some help, i would be very thankful

Todd said on : February 28th, 2010 at 1:23 pm

Hi…

I installed the k-lite codec pack and now I can see my AVI files (instead of just hearing them) in Windows Media Player. Thanks!

Question: I want to convert some AVI files and burn them to DVD so I can play them on a DVD player (on the TV).

I’ve never tried this before; what format do they need to be converted to and exactly what kind of disk do I need? Would the AVS Video Converter tool (mentioned on this page)be what I need to do this?

Any information / direction would be very much appreciated, as I must get these files on a readable DVD ASAP. I need them to work on Region 1 (Canada / USA) if that is of any relevance.

Wayne said on : March 1st, 2010 at 10:51 am

Computer Guy:
Just found your site and you answered a couple of simple little problems I had. All I can say is “You ‘Da Man”!

Conor said on : March 3rd, 2010 at 5:00 pm

I cannot seem to open any avi file in any player. Ive tried wmp, creative media source 5, wmm, and wax.

when i try to open one in wmp, it freezes up and says “windows media player has encountered a problem, and needs to close” then it closes, and a bubble pops up on the taskbar that says “in order to prevent damage to your computer, a COM surrogate was closed”

does anybody have any idea what this means and/or how i can fix it?

Nayeli said on : March 10th, 2010 at 11:55 pm

hi…first thanks for the information, its very helpful, i install the k-lite codec, but i still can’t open avi files, and like conor, that box also appears when i try to open an avi file or something “COM surrogate…” what is that? what does it mean? can someone explain me plz?