[Ultimate Guide] Having trouble playing videos on your Android device? Maybe you see an error like “This video file cannot be played”, or your Gallery app won’t open certain clips at all. Whatever the issue, this comprehensive guide tackles all the ways to fix video playback problems on any Android phone (including Samsung, Xiaomi, OnePlus, or Google Pixel) and explains the likely reasons behind these errors. Let’s get started!
Common Errors We’ll Address
- “This video cannot be played” or “Codec not supported”
- “Gallery not playing videos” or blank thumbnails
- “.pending video file” not opening
- Background audio but no display
- Other related playback problems
Troubleshooting Steps to Fix Android Video Playback Issues
Fix 1: Change Your Video Player
Sometimes, default apps (like the built-in Gallery or stock video player) can’t handle certain file formats. Install a better player such as MX Player, VLC, or KMPlayer from the Google Play Store. If you see “codec not supported,” consider installing an additional codec pack. In many cases, simply switching to an app like MX Player resolves blank thumbnails or black-screen issues. For instance, my close friend Suraj Bhaiya often sends me a lot of footage that he shoots on his iPhone through WhatsApp. When I try to play these videos with the gallery app on my Samsung M33 5G, they don’t play. They don’t even show the thumbnail.
Case in point: If your friend sends you iPhone footage, you may see just the audio working but no picture. A robust video player like MX Player can handle Apple’s codecs, making the video finally viewable.
Fix 2: Verify the Video File Is Complete
Ever see a .pending video file stuck in your Gallery? This usually indicates an incomplete or corrupted download. If any of the below happen, your video won’t play:
- Check the File Size: Compare it with the original file size. If there’s a mismatch, it’s incomplete.
- Re-download or Re-transfer: Broken downloads or dropped transfers mean you need to try again.
- Use a Reliable Connection: Stable Wi-Fi (or a solid data connection) prevents mid-transfer failures.
- File Integrity Checks: Some apps offer checksums or hashes. If available, verify them to confirm no corruption.
Once you have the file fully downloaded, it typically plays flawlessly. Even a small interruption can corrupt large files.
Fix 3: Install Additional Codecs
Some advanced or professional camera recordings require special codecs not included by default. MX Player (among others) often prompts you to download a custom codec pack. Once installed, you can play high-bitrate files or unusual formats without error.
Installing the right codec pack usually solves “unsupported format” issues immediately.
Fix 4: Clear App Cache & Data
Temporary files or “cached data” can get corrupted over time, causing weird playback glitches. Clear them as follows:
- Go to Settings > Apps > select your video player > Storage.
- Tap Clear Cache and Clear Data.
- Re-open the app and check playback again.
This often fixes freezing or random error messages.
Fix 5: Check for System Updates
Android OS updates frequently add or improve codec support. If your phone is outdated, it may struggle with newer video file types:
Go to Settings > System Update (or Software Update) and install any pending update. After rebooting, try the video again.
Fix 6: Re-download the Video
If a file you grabbed from a torrent or direct link keeps glitching, it may be corrupt. Try downloading again on a stable connection. Often, that’s all it takes to fix weird pixelation or stutters.
Fix 7: Transfer the Video Again
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Direct, or file-sharing apps sometimes create half-finished transfers. If the video almost plays but freezes or jumps, ask the sender to resend it. A complete transfer typically solves any frame-skipping issues.
Fix 8: Check Your Storage Space
Running low on storage can cause severe stuttering. Go to Settings > Storage and ensure you have enough space. Freeing up some gigabytes often stops buffering or choppiness.
After clearing space, videos often play smoothly again.
Fix 9: Convert the Video Format
Some formats (.MOV, .MKV, .WMV) might be incompatible with your default player. Converting them to .MP4 can fix the “codec not supported” issue:
Use cloudconvert.com or any converter app (like Video Format Factory) from the Play Store. After conversion, the clip often plays seamlessly.
Fix 10: Check Video File Integrity
If the video keeps freezing or showing weird artifacts, try playing it on a computer or another phone. If it works fine elsewhere, your device or media player might be missing a specific codec. If it fails on every device, the file is likely irreparably corrupted.
Fix 11: Disable Hardware Acceleration
Some devices struggle with hardware-accelerated playback for large or 4K videos. Switching to “software decoding” can fix constant stuttering. In your video player’s settings, look for “Decoder” or “HW/SW” mode. Toggle to SW if HW fails.
Extra: Advanced Phone-Specific Tips
Samsung (One UI): Sometimes the built-in Device Care or Battery optimization aggressively closes background apps. Go to Settings > Device Care > Battery > App Power Management and exclude your video player.
Xiaomi (MIUI): Under Settings > Additional settings > Developer options, toggle off Memory Optimization if your phone kills the video player too soon. Also, look at Battery & Performance settings to disable automatic app restrictions.
OnePlus (OxygenOS): In Settings > Battery > Battery Optimization, switch your video player to Don’t Optimize so it’s not force-closed in the background.
Check Playback in Safe Mode (Advanced Debugging)
If you suspect a rogue background app is disrupting video playback, try Safe Mode. On most Android phones, press and hold the Power button, then long-press Power Off until you see “Reboot to Safe Mode”. Select OK. If your videos work fine in Safe Mode, a third-party app is the culprit. Uninstall recently added or suspicious apps before exiting Safe Mode.
Want more Android fixes? Check our guide on How to Fix Phone Speaker Issues for audio-related troubleshooting.
Why Won’t Videos Play on My Android Phone?
Common Culprits
- Corrupted or partial video files
- Incompatible or outdated codecs
- Older Android versions missing new format support
- Insufficient storage space for buffering
- Software conflicts with other apps
- Incorrect containers (.MOV, .MKV, .WMV) on unsupported players
- Hardware acceleration issues
- Outdated media player apps
- System-level problems (OS glitch, corrupted SD card, etc.)
- Conflicting background processes or restrictions
Videos recorded from iPhones or professional cameras use codecs that some Android devices can’t handle natively, especially in the default Gallery. A third-party app like MX Player, VLC, or KMPlayer usually solves that. Below are my top three recommended free (ad-supported) video players:
- MX Player
- VLC Media Player
- KMPlayer
🟢 FAQ: Fixing “Video File Not Playing” on Android (Reddit Solutions & More)
1. Why won’t my video file play on Android?
🔹Answer: There are several reasons why a video file won’t open or play properly on Android:
- The file may be corrupted or incomplete.
- Your phone’s video player doesn’t support the codec (e.g., HEVC, VP9).
- Storage issues may prevent large videos from loading.
- The video format (MKV, MOV, AVI) may not be natively supported.
- App conflicts or outdated Android OS versions can also cause playback errors.
✅Fix it: Try playing the video in MX Player or VLC, clearing the video player cache, or converting the file to MP4.
2. What does “unsupported video format” mean on Android?
🔹Answer: Your video player or device lacks the necessary codec to decode the file. This usually happens with:
- HEVC (H.265), VP9, or DivX videos.
- High-bitrate MOV, MKV, or AVI files.
- Older phones that don’t support modern HDR or 4K video formats.
✅Fix it: Install additional codec packs (MX Player Codec), use VLC Player, or convert the file to MP4.
3. How do I fix “This video file cannot be played” error on Android?
🔹Answer: This common playback issue happens due to missing codecs, file corruption, or player incompatibility.
✅Try these fixes:
- Switch to MX Player or VLC (they support more formats).
- Clear video player cache via Settings > Apps > Video Player > Clear Cache.
- Re-download or transfer the file again if it’s incomplete.
- Convert the file to MP4 if it’s in an unsupported format.
🚀Pro Tip: If none of these work, try booting into Safe Mode to rule out third-party app conflicts.
4. Why does my video have audio but no picture on Android?
🔹Answer: If you hear the sound but see a black screen, the issue is likely due to:
- A missing video codec (your player can process the audio but not the video).
- A corrupted video file (damaged frames or encoding errors).
- Hardware acceleration conflicts (especially on Samsung, Xiaomi, and OnePlus devices).
✅Fix it:
- Disable hardware acceleration: Go to MX Player > Decoder Settings > Use SW (Software) Decoder.
- Try a different player (like VLC, which auto-installs codecs).
- Convert the file to MP4 using CloudConvert.
5. How do I fix a corrupted video file on Android?
🔹Answer: A corrupted video file can result from incomplete downloads, file transfer issues, or SD card corruption.
✅Fix it:
- Check if the file plays on a PC—if not, the file is damaged.
- Re-download the file if you suspect an interrupted transfer.
- Use a video repair tool like Stellar Video Repair.
- Convert the file to a different format (MP4, MOV, AVI) to see if it can be salvaged.
6. Why won’t my phone play large 4K or HDR videos?
🔹Answer: Some Android phones struggle with 4K or HDR playback due to:
- Hardware limitations (older phones lack high-bitrate decoding).
- Low storage or RAM, making it hard to buffer large files.
- Outdated video players that don’t support HDR10+ or Dolby Vision.
✅Fix it:
- Use VLC Player, which supports hardware-accelerated 4K playback.
- Check available storage—videos need extra space for caching.
- Convert HDR to SDR using HandBrake.
7. What’s the best video player for Android in 2024?
🔹Answer: The best Android video players for handling all file formats are:
- MX Player – Best for custom codecs & high-quality playback.
- VLC for Android – Open-source, supports MKV, MOV, MP4, HEVC.
- KMPlayer – Handles 4K UHD, HDR10+ files with ease.
✅Bonus Tip: If your default player fails to play a video, install MX Player & the appropriate codec pack.
8. How do I convert an Android video file to MP4?
🔹Answer: Converting a video to MP4—the most universally supported format—can help if your phone won’t play a specific format.
✅How to convert video on Android:
- Use CloudConvert (cloudconvert.com) to convert online.
- Download “Video Format Factory” from the Play Store.
- Use VLC Media Player (on PC) to convert MKV, MOV, or AVI to MP4.
🚀MP4 is the safest format for playback on Android, TVs, and other devices.
9. Why does my downloaded video say “.pending” and not play?
🔹Answer: A “.pending video file” means the download was interrupted or not finalized properly.
✅Fix it:
- Delete & re-download the file using a stable Wi-Fi connection.
- If it was sent via WhatsApp or Bluetooth, ask the sender to resend it.
- Use a file manager to rename and move the file if it got stuck in a temporary folder.
Conclusion
Quick Recap: 11 Fixes
- Try a new video player or install codec packs.
- Confirm file is fully downloaded or transferred.
- Use additional codecs for unsupported formats.
- Clear cache/data in your video player app.
- Install Android system updates (for new codecs).
- Re-download if a file is corrupted mid-way.
- Re-send or re-transfer if the first attempt was interrupted.
- Free storage space on your device.
- Convert the file format to MP4 or another common format.
- Check file integrity on another device.
- Disable hardware acceleration if it’s causing stutters.
| Issue | Weird Fix (Solution) | Explanation (Why It Works) |
|---|---|---|
| Device Overloaded | Adjust Video Player to Low-Priority Mode | In Developer Options, go to Running Services, find the video player, and set it to Low Priority. It reduces competition with background processes, freeing up resources for smoother playback. |
| Video Display Glitches | Reset the Display Refresh Rate | If you’re on 90 Hz or 120 Hz, switching back to 60 Hz can resync video frames. Head to Settings > Display > Refresh Rate and revert to default. |
| Screen Layer Glitches | Enable Show Surface Updates | Hidden under Developer Options, toggling Show Surface Updates forces your device to redraw video layers, fixing odd overlay conflicts. |
| Decoder Incompatibility | Toggle Between HW and SW Decoding | Check your app’s Decoder Settings. Some files only play well in hardware (HW) mode; others in software (SW). Switch if you see stuttering. |
| App Background Conflicts | Allow Background Activity on Video App | In Settings > Apps > [Video Player] > Data Usage, enable Allow Background Data. This prevents playback from pausing in the background. |
Following these steps should fix 90% of “video not playing” errors on Android. If problems persist, contact us or check our premium plan. Which fix worked for you? Share your experience below—and enjoy seamless video playback!
