When it comes to video format, the most widely used format is MP4. And hardly any use the format FLV, which is otherwise known as Flash Video. However, those who stream videos, often use the FLV format. Hence it becomes important to know about different ways to play FLV video on both Windows and Mac. If you are looking for an FLV player for Windows 10 or Mac, you have come to the right place because we have the answer to your question about how to play FLV files on Windows 10 and Mac. For those who have FLV files with them or have older videos and don't feel like converting them, this article will be helpful.
In this article
Part 1. 4 Ways to Play FLV Files on Windows 10/11
In this part, we will talk about the windows media player FLV codec that you need to go for and about the best FLV windows media player to try to play FLV format videos. You can try any one of the solutions.
Solution 1: Use VLC
Step 1: Download the VLC player on your system, and wait for a few seconds for the installation process to get completed. If you already have VLC, then simply launch it.
Step 2: VLC player comes along with loads of video and audio codecs and supports almost every type of video format.
Step 3: Once the VLC player is launched, click on the file option. After that, click on open file.
Step 4: Browse through all the videos that you have in FLV format, and wish to play. Select the video and then click on the OK option. This will start playing the FLV format video.
Solution 2: Try installing a .FLV codec
Step 1: First, you will have to double click on the FLV file that you are trying to play. If you are trying to use WMP to run this file, and Windows Media Player fails to understand that, you can use the same tool to search for the right codec.
Step 2: If you see a pop-up message that says, a codec is required,you need to click on the web help option. Once done, the Internet Explorer browser will pop-up, and the site will start looking for the missing codec.
Step 3: You will be taken to the WMPlugins website site. You will be redirected to another website to start the downloading process. Just follow the instructions. Avoid clicking on any of the dialogue boxes apart from the one that says about the codec. Once done, your .FLV codec will be successfully downloaded and installed.
Step 4: Double click on the file now, and now the file should run without any issue.
Solution 3: Get an FLV compatible media player
When it comes to online streaming of FLV files, you shouldn't deal with any issue; however, if you want to play them offline, it makes sense to get hold of some of the best media players that can play FLV files without any hassle. Some of the players that you can go for are VLC, Winamp, MPC-HC.
Step 1: Download an FLV compatible media player from the media player's official website.
Step 2: Launch the media player on your computer.
Step 3: Drag and drop the FLV file that you wish to play; otherwise, right-click on the file, and choose from the list of media players.
Solution 4: Convert FLV file to WMV
For this step, we will talk about Wondershare UniConverter, which will let you convert .flv files to .wmv in just three easy steps. Here's what you need to do.
Step 1: Download Wondershare Uniconverter and wait for the installation process to get completed. Launch the software, and drag and drop the FLV files that you wish to convert.
Step 2: Now, you need to choose WMV as your output format. Choose video and then WMV. Ensure to select the right resolution.
Step 3: For the final step, you will see the convert option right beside the video; click on that. And the files will be converted. Finally, save the converted file on your computer.
Part 2. 4 Ways to Play FLV Files on Mac
If you have successfully found the FLV codec for windows media player, and now you are able to play your FLV file on your Windows computer, let's get to know about how to play FLV file on Mac. We will talk about four easy solutions to play FLV on Mac seamlessly.
Solution 1: Using Cisdem video player
Step 1: First, go to the official site of the Cisdem video player. You will see the download option there. This process is for those, who would not like to convert their file, and would like to watch the FLV file on a media player. Click on the download option; after that, allow the software to get installed. Now, launch Cisdem Video player on your computer.
Step 2: You may click on the File option that you see on the top menu bar; else, you may drag and drop the file. To manually add the file, click on the File option, and then Open File. Choose the FLV video file that you wish to play, and add it.
Step 3: Once the file is uploaded on the video player, click on the start option to start watching the video.
Solution 2: Use VLC player
Another superb alternative to playing offline FLV files is by using a VLC player. The good thing about this media player is that it lets you play all kinds of video and audio formats.
Step 1: If you don't have VLC installed on your Mac, you need to download and install the VLC player first.
Step 2: Click on the File option to add the FLV file that you wish to play.
Step 3: Once done, click on the play option to start playing the video.
If you still can't play the FLV file using VLC, you may try the third solution.
Solution 3: Installing the Perian plugin to QuickTime
If you have QuickTime on your Mac and you want to use this media player to run your FLV file, you will have to install the Perian plugin, which is a third-party component. However, this plugin is available only for QuickTime 7.6.6.
Step 1: Once you install the plugin, you will have to restart your Mac.
Step 2: Now launch QuickTime and import FLV video. Play starts, and your FLV file should play now.
Solution 4: Get Elmedia Player
Step 1: Here's another option for those who don't want to install additional codecs and don't want to convert the FLV file. You may download Elmedia player. Wait for the installation process to get completed.
Step 2: Once downloaded and installed, right-click on the FLV file, and choose Elmedia player.
Step 3: Click on play, and the file will be played easily.
Part 3. How to Repair Corrupted FLV Files on Windows 10/11 And Mac?
Even after trying all the solutions that we have mentioned here don't let you play FLV files on Macor Windows, then your FLV file might be corrupted, which means you will have to fix the FLV file first before trying to play it. You may download Wondershare Repairit Video Repair software to repair your corrupt FLV files in just a few steps. You can download Wondershare Repairit Video Repair software for both Mac and Windows, and the process will remain the same.
Step 1: First, download and install Wondershare Repairit Video Repair software on your Mac or Windows. Once done, double click on the icon to launch it.
Step 2: You will see an add option right under the Add video(s) and start repairing heading. Click on it and add the corrupt file or files. This file will not only let you fix FLV files; you may use the same tool to fix many other types of formats, such as AVI, 3GP, MTS, MKV, M2TS, M4V, and more. Click on the add sign to begin the repairing process. You will see all the information about the FLV file that you wish to repair, such as filming equipment, video resolution, video-watching time, file size, file path, and file name.
Step 3: After you add the FLV file, you will have to click on the repair option that you see. By clicking that, you will be able to begin the actual repairing process. Allow a few moments, and once done, you will see a prompt message. Click on OK to save the repaired file.
Step 4: We recommend users to click on the preview option to take a look at the repaired FLV file and see whether it is working smoothly or not.
If everything is sorted out, simply click on the save option. Make sure to save the file in a different folder. Just in case if this doesn't solve the issue, the tool will give you an advanced repair option for the files that are severely corrupted. Follow the instructions that you see on the tool, and click on the advanced repair option to begin the repairing process. After the process gets completed, click on the save file option, and the file will be saved.
This video can help you fix your corrupted video files with a step-by-step guide.
Closing Word
Whether you would like to play the FLV file on Windows or Mac, we have shared some workable solutions with you. For those, who can't seem to play the FLV file even after using these solutions, you can go for Wondershare Repairit Video Repair, which will allow you to repair all kinds of the format in just a few steps. Wondershare Repairit Video Repair software is all-in-one software and makes the repairing process smooth and easy.
People Also Ask
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Can you convert FLV to mp4?
Yes, you can convert FLV to MP4 easily. You may try Wondershare Uniconverter to convert FLV to MP4. -
Does VLC support FLV format?
Yes, unless the FLV file you are trying to watch is not corrupt, VLC is the best media player to go to watch FLV format videos. -
Is FLV better than mp4?
Both FLV and MP4 have their own pros and cons. And these two formats are equally preferred by users. One reason why most people would like to go with MP4 is that it is compatible with almost every media player. While in the case of FLV that might not really be the case. -
What is the best video format?
Out of all the video formats, the most widely used video format is MP4. MP4 can store text, still images, video files, and also audio files without any issue.