How to Fix "PowerPoint Cannot Play Video/Audio Media"? [9 Ways]

Sometimes while using an office product PowerPoint, it makes you confront an error like PowerPoint cannot play media MP4. This error may cause the media videos or audios embedded in power presentation not to work properly (video black screen, video no sound, etc.) or not play at all. PowerPoint cannot play media is a common error that may occur due to some faulty functioning of PowerPoint itself. And for the appropriate working of the media files, it is necessary to choose the correct media format suitable for the office version in use.

Here in this article, you will get to know about the potential reasons causing the error cannot play media in PowerPoint and the best solutions to fix this error.

Part 1. Why Can't I Play Video/Audio Media in Powerpoint?

As an answer to this question, it is always suggested that if your device’s screen pops up with an error message, i.e., PowerPoint cannot play video/audio, then you need to follow is the checklist mentioned below:

Once you get to know about the reason causing an error on your device, the next step is to opt for a suitable solution. Here is the list of potential solutions for fixing the error, i.e., PowerPoint cannot play media mp4.

Part 2. 8 Methods to Fix the "PowerPoint Not Playing Videos" Issue

Solution 1: Set the Media Compatibility

Media compatibility with PowerPoint is key to all essentials. Your embedded media will not play in PowerPoint unless it is not in a format supported by the office. So if you are getting an error of PowerPoint cannot play media mp4, then set the media compatibility with the following steps.

Step 1: Launch PowerPoint and the presentation. In the File menu, select the option of Info.

Step 2: If the media embedded in the slide is incompatible, the Optimize Media Compatibility dialogue box will appear on the screen.

Step 3: By clicking the option, the media file will be processed by scanning. If the problem is at its initials, the compatibility optimizing wizard will fix it. Still, if the problem is not solved, the actual reason will appear in the dialogue wizard.

Solution 2: Check the Codecs

If optimizing media compatibility in PowerPoint is not the solution for your problem, then the next efficient solution is to check the codecs, as if you don’t have installed the right multimedia codecs on your computer will lead to the problem of PowerPoint that cannot play media mp4. But if you already have installed codecs, just update them.

Step 1: Install the multimedia codecs on your device. Installing them will allow the smooth functioning of media files on the device.

Step 2: in case of already installed codecs, update them. If still not working appropriately, give them a reinstallation.

Solution 3: Make Sure the Audio/Video Format Is Supported

One of the important factors that may impose the error, i.e., PowerPoint cannot play media mp4, is media compatibility with device pr PowerPoint. Using the supported media versions and formats helps to rule out the error.

For the audio media files, PowerPoint 2010 supports WAV files. It means if using an MP3 file format, you will get the error message, i.e., cannot play media in PowerPoint. In addition to WAV, PowerPoint 2016 supports M4a encoded with AAC audio.

For the video formats, the .wmv for PowerPoint 2010 and .wmv, along with mp4 encoded with video, are supported.

Solution 4: Convert Your Audio or Video File

If the PowerPoint does not support the media file format, one can always use the option of converting the media format by using any third party or online software.

Solution 5: Check PowerPoint Playback Settings

Check PowerPoint playback settings if you can’t find anything wrong with the video. You can have PowerPoint play the video automatically or wait for you to click it before it starts playing. So let’s ensure PowerPoint is set to play the video according to your expectations.

Step 1: In PowerPoint, click the video, then open the Playback tab from the toolbar.

Step 2: Open the Start dropdown menu in the Video options menu, and choose your preferred option.

Solution 6: Set the Link Value

Setting the link value can solve the issue of "cannot play media in PowerPoint". PowerPoint usually serves for small or limited link values, so it is practical to set an appropriate link value. Increasing the link value in PowerPoint will allow you to embed larger files to the slides. Here are the steps to increase the link value.

Step 1: Open PowerPoint and, in the option of Tools, select Options.

Step 2: Select the option of General, here you are going to see the option for setting link value, i.e., Links Sounds With File Size Greater Than 500000 KB (mentioned just as an example).

Step 3: Select the desired range you want to set for the files and click Ok to save the changes.

Solution 7: Clear the TEMP Folder

A reason behind "PowerPoint says cannot play media" is the temporary folders that may affect the overall PowerPoint's overall performance. In case you know you are using the compatible media format, the codec is installed, the link value is doing well, and everything else is in place, then try deleting some temporary folders to see if it makes a difference. Here are the steps.

Step 1: Start by pressing Window+R.

Step 2: A dialogue box for the run window will appear; type the path, i.e., %temp%

Step 3: Select all the files with the TMP path extension and delete them.

Step 4: Once the temp files are deleted, restart the computer.

Solution 8: Open PowerPoint in Office Safe Mode

Try opening MS PowerPoint in Office Safe Mode. It lets you use the application without encountering audio or video problems, which is helpful when PowerPoint keeps crashing as you try to play embedded audio or videos.

Part 3. Fix "PowerPoint Not Playing Videos" Error Caused by Corrupted Videos Itself

In case your videos accidentally get corrupted while transferring, then the only potential solution that can work for you is Wondershare Repairit Video Repair. It makes us able to repair video files that have been corrupted, broken, or damaged in MOV, MP4, M4V, M2TS, MKV, MTS, 3GP, AVI, FLV, and more file formats. It works on all kinds of cameras, whether it belongs to Nikon, Fuji, Samsung, Panasonic, DJI, Parrot, Skydio, or Olympus, this software will work on all. This tool is designed for videos that create problems while playing them on a computer or anywhere else, audio-video sync issues, video playback disrupted, stuck videos, etc. If you feel interested in this software, then click the download button below and have a try.

Wondershare Repairit - Video Repair

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1,010,994 people have downloaded it.

• 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.

Step 1 Add Your Corrupted Videos

The very first thing which has to be done is launching the application on your computer. To add the corrupted file, all you need to do is pressing the Add button, or it can also be done by clicking the "Add video and start repairing" area.

Step 2 Repair Your Videos

In the second step, you have to click the "Repair" option; to initiate the process of repairing a corrupted video file.

Step 3 Preview the Videos

After taking some time to repair the corrupted file, a message will pop up on the computer screen, showing that your video has been successfully done. After this, you can press the preview button to look at the video file, which has been fixed.

Step 4 Advance Mode for Highly Corrupted Video (Optional)

For videos that are a bit difficult and can't be easily attained with instant repairing, you need to press the "Advanced Repair" button.

Add a corrupted video file that you want to fix.

Step 5 Save Repaired Video

Saving the fixed file is the last step, which is importantly required; you will have to click on the "Save" button to save it in this step.

Here is a video tutorial guide to help you better understand how to fix the "PowerPoint cannot play video" error.

* Some of the above codec formats may need to be supported by system.