Windows Media Player includes some of the most popular codecs, like MP3, Windows Media Audio, and Windows Media Video. However, it doesn't include the codecs required for Blu‑ray Disc files, FLAC files, or FLV files. If something isn’t working in Windows Media Player, you might not have the right codec on your PC.

Tips: For the best video playback experience, we recommend the following video encoding settings: Container - MP4. Video - H.264 / MPEG-4 AVC, 30 fps, using these approximate bitrates based on resolution. ~8 Mbps or less for 1080p. ~5 Mbps or less for 720p. ~2.5 Mbps or less for 480p. ~1 Mbps or less for 360p or smaller.

We recommend using newer media formats like H.264 and Advanced Audio Coding (AAC). Want to know what version of Office you are using? Improve performance when using video and special effects. Improve compatibility and playback with hardware. Considerations for linking to or embedding media files.

Media codecs for playback of media in apps and in the browser: VP9 Video Extensions. Web Media Extensions. HEIF Image Extensions. HEVC Video Extensions. Skype. Movies & TV. Windows Media Player. Xbox Game Bar. Windows Voice Recorder. Update information. Prerequisites. To install this update, you must have Windows 10 N or Windows 11 N installed.

Codecs are software programs that compress and uncompress audio or video data. Damaged codecs can cause problems such as missing audio or video, unusually fast or slow playback, or distortion in the video (such as lines). Because both of these problems can cause similar symptoms, you must know how to isolate one cause from the other.