PowerPoint Cannot Insert A video from the Selected File? Fix It!

PowerPoint is an effective way to outline presentation ideas and display them visually. But it gets annoying if PowerPoint cannot insert video. There are several reasons for this cause and many solutions to resolve this particular issue.

You will learn here how to embed video in PowerPoint, and how to fix the PowerPoint cannot insert a video from the selected file error.

Part 1. How to Embed Video into PowerPoint?

Adding video files into a PowerPoint presentation might be challenging, but the value it brings to your work is worth the effort. To make things easier for you, here is a simple guide to know everything about embedding video in your PowerPoint.

Some ways can add a video to your PowerPoint presentation. You can simply link an image to the video's location, embed one from YouTube, or add a video from your hard drive.

1. Stepwise Guide to Insert a Video in PowerPoint

Adding Video from Your Hard Drive

Step 1: Open the PowerPoint, click on the "Insert" tab, and select "Video."

Step 2: Select the "Movie from File" option and choose a video file from your drive by double-clicking on it.

Step 3: You can also format the video to begin "Automatically" or "When Clicked."

Step 4: Drag the video file to position it and resize it within the slide.

Embedding A Video File from YouTube

If you already know the name of the video hosted on YouTube, then follow these steps:

Step 1: Click on that slide where you want to add a video file.

Step 2: Open the "Insert" tab, click on Video, and select Online Video.

Step 3: In the search bar of YouTube, type that particular name of the video you want to insert.

Step 4: Select the video showing in the search results, and click on Insert.

Step 5: A video rectangle will display on your slide that you can resize and move as you like. To preview the video file, right-click on the file and click on Preview.

Linking Video

Linking the video file can help you to control the size of your PowerPoint file, but it won't be an ideal method if you are presenting it without any network connection.

Step 1: Take a screenshot of your video file, in which the play button is visible.

Step 2: Import the image file into your PowerPoint slide.

Step 3: Link the Image to your online video.

2. Important Tips for You to embed video in PowerPoint

PowerPoint offers much more than merely dropping the video file in your slide by applying some effects and other premium features to make your content innovative.

Below are some tips for You to embed video in PowerPoint:

Part 2. How to Fix "PowerPoint Cannot Insert Video"? (4 Solutions)

PowerPoint presentation is not just impressive, but it also enhances the content quality. But some users might have come across the "PowerPoint cannot insert a video from the selected file" error when you are adding a video file to your presentation.

Several reasons can restrict you from adding videos to your PowerPoint presentation. Firstly, you should know that PowerPoint supports specific video formats.

Below are some solutions to fix the "PowerPoint cannot insert video" error:

Solution 1: Convert the Video to WMV (Windows Media Video) Format

PowerPoint always supports WMV video formats, so make sure that your video file is in that format. If your file is not in the supported format, you can try converting the video online.

Step 1: Open the Browser and search for Online Video Converter.

Step 2: Once you get there, click on the "Add" button to add the video file.

Step 3: After adding the file, you will see different video formats, click on WMV.

Step 4: The program will start the conversion process. It can take time, depending upon the file size.

Step 5: Once the conversion process completes, you can save the video to your desired location.

Solution 2: Installing Third-party Codec

If your video file is in a supported format and you are still unable to play it in PowerPoint, you might have a missing codec in your system. A codec is a small software, which decodes digital media files so that the file can be played as audio or video.

It is hard to find which codec is needed for your media file. So you must install the entire package of codecs on your system to resolve the issue.

These are the steps to install a codec pack on your system:

Step 1: Go online and visit the free codecs website.

Step 2: You will see different packages, but it is recommended that you must select the Standard pack.

Step 3: Select the Standard pack and click "Download, " then start the installation by accepting normal mode and click on "Next."

Step 4: Adjust or accept the Installation Preferences as per your need. Then click on "Next," and select the Decoding Method under the Hardware Acceleration. After configuring the settings, click on the "Install" button to install the codec pack.

Solution 3: Enable the Windows Media Player Controls in PowerPoint

You can also fix the problem by enabling the "Developer" feature and add the "Windows Media Player" control when your're unable to insert video in PowerPoint.

Step 1: Open Powerpoint and go to "File">"Options".

Step 2: Find the "Customize Ribbon" option, choose developer from the list and click OK.

Step 3: After that, go to "Developer" in the menu of Powerpoint, click the icon and add "Windows Media Player" in "More Controls".

In this way, you can try to insert a video in Powerpoint again.

If you can insert videos in Powerpoint but the embedded video not playing in PowerPoint, check this guide for solutions:

How to Fix Video Not Playing in PowerPoint?

Solution 4: Update the Installed Drivers on Windows

If you have not updated your system's drivers for some time, then it may also cause video playback problems for some applications. To update its drivers, you can look for "Device Manager" from the search option in the taskbar.

Once the Device Manager application launches, go to the "Sound, Video, and Game Controller" option to see the installed drivers. You can right-click on any driver and choose to update or reset it.

Part 3. PowerPoint Cannot Insert Video Due to the Videos Corrupted? Check These Cuases!

Every user is afraid of corrupted video files. But to repair such video files; you must know the causes and solutions. Most of the time, corrupt video files result from an error caused during video playback, recording, or while transferring the file.

These are some common causes of video corruption.

Cause 1: Error during Transfer, Playback, or Recording

Video corruption usually happens when the files are writing or reading. In a camera device, this process occurs when you are transferring, shooting, or you playback video files. If you find an error notification while playing the video files, there are high chances that your video files are damaged or corrupt.

Cause 2: Improper Formatting

If you do not format your memory card or SD card, it can corrupt your video files. All the recording devices use particular media features and video files to identify and store the video files correctly.

Therefore, if your memory card is not formatted correctly, there is a risk of video corruption. You will get to know that formatting was the reason for corruption when you lose your files. Your display screen might appear blank without displaying any video.

Cause 3: Errors While Transferring the Video File

If you have correctly transferred your files from the memory card, your video is still not safe. During the transfer process, there are several chances that your data can get compromised. For example, you will receive an error message that shows that your device cannot open the video file.

Cause 4: Interrupted System Shutdown

Video files can be corrupted if the power shuts down during playback, saving, or shooting. As each video file contains headers and footers, there are high chance that your data will not be saved or written. Therefore, the data on the SD card or memory card will be corrupted. The video file will not play as the data will not be readable. If you find that there is no audio in your file, then your video file is corrupted.

Part 4. How to Repair Corrupted Videos that Cannot Be Inserted into PowerPoint?

To repair corrupt video files, you can use the Wondershare Repairit Video Repair application. No matter why and how your videos are corrupted, Repairit can restore the damaged video to the perfect quality within minutes.

Wondershare Repairit - Video Repair

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• Repair damaged videos with all levels of corruption, such as video not playing, video no sound, out-of-sync video or audio, playback errors, header corruption, flickering video, missing video codec, etc.

• Repair videos of diverse formats, including MOV, MP4, M2TS, MKV, MTS, 3GP, AVI, FLV, MXF, KLV, INSV, M4V, WMV, MPEG, ASF, etc.

• Repair damaged or corrupted videos caused by video compression, system crash, video format change, etc.

• Repair critically damaged or corrupted videos available on SD cards, mobile phones, cameras, USB flash drives, etc.

• Repairit has a quick and advanced scanning mode. You can use either depending upon the level of corruption the video file has undergone.

• Compatible with Windows PC, Mac OS, and supports PC to mobile transferring/sharing.

The entire application is straightforward, and even an amateur can run it. To do so, take the mentioned steps:

Step 1 Install Wondershare Repairit Video Repair tool

On your system, download and install Wondershare Repairit software. Launch the application to enter the home page. Then you will see an "Add" or "Add video and start repairing" button to add the corrupted video files.

Step 2 Repair the Video File in Quick Repair Mode

Once you have added the corrupt video file, click on the "Repair" tab to quickly repair your video file. In this particular model, you can fix different video error messages.

Step 3 Preview the Corrupted Video File

Once the Quick Repair mode finishes the repairing process, you preview your repaired video file. Then, click on OK to save the file to any particular location of your choice. But, if this recovery process was not satisfactory, you must consider Advanced Repair mode.

Step 4 Add A Sample Video File to Repair the Severely Damaged Video File (Optional)

If you're not satisfied with the Quick video repair result, Wondershare Repairit software also offers Advanced Repair mode that uses the Sample video for a more professional video repair process. Select any Sample Video, which can be used as a reference when repairing the severely damaged video file.

The Advanced Repair mode will begin the repairing process once it finishes scanning the Sample Video. After that, you can preview the recovered video file. Then, save the recovered corrupt video file to any particular location of your choice.

Part 5. Extra Tips on Putting Videos on PowerPoint?

In PowerPoint, you can enliven your presentation slides by adding movement and sound to them. You can also set up some different transaction effects when moving from one slide to another, or add some animated objects to emphasize a specific point. By doing all of this, you can make your content stand out. It would also help if you considered some tips to avoid any mistakes while creating a PPT presentation.

1. What Format of Videos Can Be Inserted on PPT

You can insert several video formats in PowerPoint, such as Windows Media Video file (.wmv,) Adobe Flash Media (.swf,) Movie File (.mpg or .mpeg,) MP4 Video file (.mp4, .m4v, .mov,) and Windows Video file (.asf and .avi,).

Just remind that only PowerPoint 2013 and newer versions can support all of these formats. The 32-bit version users of PowerPoint 2010 can also play .mov or .mp4 files, only if their system contains QuickTime Player.

2. Specific Requirements of Embedded Video in PPT

There are certain requirements for embedding a video file in PowerPoint:

3. How to Ensure PPT Can Insert Videos

You have to follow some steps to ensure that PPT can insert videos.

Play with the recommended settings in the Video Format toolbar to ensure that it plays the way you want it to.

4. Play Video File Inside A Shape

You might find it effective and useful to enhance the appearance of the video file by playing it inside an unusual shape instead of the regular rectangular format in which usually all videos play. You will never want to overuse this type of effect, but it is a unique way to draw your video's attention.

5. Apply Different Preset Video Styles

It is another helpful tip to liven up your videos by applying PowerPoint pre-designed video styles. All of these styles offer combined effects like angles, reflections, shadows, tilts, frames, and more. This will enhance the overview of your presentation, and your content will stand out.

Closing Words

It can be depressing to see your favorite video files corrupted or damaged. Several factors can cause corruption in video files. But it would help if you always opted for the preferred and best video repair options to recover the corrupted video file. In this article, we have mentioned the effective video repair options that you can perform manually or by using software like Wondershare Repairit Video Repair.