15 Most Common Video Errors and How to Fix Them

That’s why video problems are incredibly frustrating. They affect our precious memories and ruin our content consumption, and they’re a pain to troubleshoot and fix.

Today, we’ll dive deeper into the most common video errors, look into the culprits behind them, and show you numerous effective solutions for resolving these video issues.

Video Errors Explained

From black and blank screens through corrupted files and dead pixels to missing audio, video errors refer to any problem related to the video file or playback. If you can’t open the file, or it opens but plays differently from how it should, you’re dealing with a video error.

Causes of Video Errors

While there are thousands upon thousands of video errors for various operating systems, they’re often caused by the same few elements. More often than not, it all boils down to the following few causes:

Learning to troubleshoot and recognize the cause will allow you to apply the appropriate solution.

List of All Video Errors

On top of the most common causes behind video problems, we’ve also included specific and common video errors, and below is a list of the most widespread ones across Windows and Mac systems.

Error 1: Dead and Stuck Pixels

If you see tiny colored spots or lines that aren’t moving, you’re dealing with dead or stuck pixels. It can be related to the screen you’re playing videos on or the camera that recorded the video. Regardless, it’s a manufacturing defect that needs to be repaired.

Error 2: Quality Loss

Suppose you’ve just exported the video and noticed a loss in quality. There’s a high chance you’ve just used the wrong export settings or an unsupported video format. However, the video problem can also be connected to outdated GPU drivers or missing codecs. In any case, it’s resolvable with a reliable video repair tool.

Error 3: Flickering

A flickering screen can indicate a wide range of issues with the video, but it’s most often connected to outdated graphics card drivers. In that case, a simple update to the OS or through a dedicated GPU application can resolve the video problem.

Error 4: Corrupted Video

Connected to lower-end SD cards, failed video transfers, and editing errors, corrupted video files are among the most common video errors users encounter. Fortunately, a dedicated video repair tool can repair most corrupted videos and revive your precious video memories.

Error 5: Crashes/Freezes When Starting a Video

Older hardware playing newer video formats, malware and virus infections, old video files, and corrupted data can all lead to a crashing computer whenever you play a particular video file. You’ll need to troubleshoot the cause to apply an appropriate fix for this video error.

Error 6: 0xc00d36c4 Error

Seeing this particular error can be incredibly frustrating, as it states that the file format is unsupported, the file extension is incorrect, or the file is corrupted. So, which one is it? In most cases, it’s related to missing codecs and unsupported file formats and has nothing to do with file extensions or corruption.

Error 7: Error 2048 in QuickTime

As the name suggests, error 2048 is related to the QuickTime media player. You’ll need to update the video application, install missing codecs, and update the existing ones. Similarly, you might need to change the video file’s format or use a video repair tool.

Error 8: Black Screen

A black screen where the video never starts playing is one of the most widespread video problems. More often than not, it’s related to outdated GPU drivers and missing codecs. However, updating the drivers and installing a codec pack should quickly resolve such issues.

Error 9: Error 23132 With M4V Files

Although QuickTime is Mac’s default video player, Windows users also use it. However, such users often encounter QuickTime errors with the M4V video format, which numerous Windows issues like registry errors, updates, and drivers can cause. Using video repair software to fix these errors is highly recommended.

Error 10: Missing Codecs

Seeing the “Can’t play the file” error message can be incredibly frustrating. Yet, it’s a prevalent video issue caused by missing and outdated codecs. Fortunately, installing a codec pack represents an easy fix for such video problems.

Error 11: Videos Playing Slowly

This video issue significantly depends on where you’re playing the video. If it’s through a browser, it’s most likely related to a poor internet connection, but if it’s an offline video, your file might be corrupted and must be repaired.

Error 12: Missing Sound

Often caused by an operating system bug that switches up audio output devices, especially if you’re using multiple ones, the missing sound issue may also be related to loose cables and disconnected speakers. However, the problem can also be caused by corruption.

Error 13: Out-Of-Sync Audio and Video

A video that plays out of sync is arguably far worse than one that doesn’t even play. For some reason, we find syncing issues incredibly frustrating. In such a situation, you can temporarily resync audio and video inside a media player like VLC. However, you can also fix the video with repair software.

Error 14: Computer Lags

Suppose your video file plays, but your computer slows down and lags. It can indicate corrupted video files, a poor internet connection, and many driver and codec issues. However, it might also be connected to outdated hardware that doesn’t support the latest video formats.

Error 15: Jerky or Blurry Videos

While it’s hard to pinpoint the culprit behind blurry or jerky videos, they’re often caused by lower-tier SD cards, corrupted files, codec problems, and outdated players. Whatever the cause, using a video repair app in such situations is far better than troubleshooting and manually resolving the issue.

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Best Video Error Fixes

Seeing so many video errors might feel overwhelming, but there’s nothing to fear, as fixing them is incredibly straightforward. Below is a list of the top solutions for these video issues.

Fix 1: Use Professional Video Repair Software (Wondershare Repairit)

While a quick online search will give you various solutions to many of the abovementioned issues, they can take up hours of your valuable time and almost always involve manual troubleshooting steps that aren’t even always effective.

Instead of going through all that, you can use a dedicated video repair tool to fix any of the above video issues. Wondershare Repairit is such a tool, and the app’s beginner-friendly user interface and powerful video repair algorithms make fixing video errors a piece of cake.

Here are the features of this video repair program:

Below is a step-by-step guide on using the app version of Wondershare Repairit to fix broken video files:

Step 1: Open the Wondershare Repairit app, choose the Video Repair option on the left, and click Add to import broken videos.

Step 2: Hit the Repair button to start the repair process.

Step 3: Wondershare Repairit lets you preview files by tapping the Preview icon to check whether you’re satisfied with the video file.

Step 4: When ready, click the Save button next to the previewed video. You can also click Save All to save all videos.

This video can help you fix your corrupted video files with a step-by-step guide.

It’s worth noting that Wondershare Repairit also has an Advanced Repair option, which will require a sample video but can fix even the most corrupt video files.

Fix 2: Use a Different Media Player

While the included Windows Media Player on Windows and QuickTime on Mac are excellent built-in video players, they might only be compatible with some video formats. Therefore, downloading and installing a third-party media player is wise since using a different player might resolve your video errors.

The VLC media player is a terrific option for both operating systems, and it also works on Linux, iOS, and Android. It supports all the latest video formats, making it highly compatible and capable of playing all types of video files. However, you can use any other media player.

Fix 3: Convert Video Into a Different Format

VLC is a tremendous application since it’s more than just a media player. It’s also a tool for resolving particular video errors, as it has a powerful built-in feature called Convert / Save.

The feature lets users convert video files from one format to another, and the process can resolve various video issues. As the app is open-source and free, it’s undoubtedly worth trying.

Here’s what you’ll need to do:

Step 1: Open the VLC media player, click Media in the top left corner, and select Convert / Save.

Step 2: Click the Add button and import the broken or corrupted video files.

Step 3: Press the Convert / Save button. Then, choose a format from the Profile dropdown menu.

Step 4: Choose an output destination by clicking Browse under Destination and then hit the Start button.

After a few minutes, the VLC media player will convert your problematic video file and attempt to fix any video issues the file has. However, since this is a basic conversion, VLC can’t fix any significant corruption, as it’s not a dedicated video repair tool.

Fix 4: Cool Down Your Computer

Having the latest and greatest computer components is rare – most users have a few months or years old hardware. However, that can cause various video issues since video resolution and quality are rapidly evolving. Similarly, older hardware may not support the latest video formats.

Therefore, there’s a chance that your computer is overwhelmed by the video file you’re playing, especially if you’re dealing with a high-resolution and high-quality massive video.

In that case, you’ll need to let your computer cool down and lower its temperature. Restarting it or closing down additional applications from the background can also help.

Fix 5: Adjust Resolution Accordingly

Another solution that can help in the case of an older PC or one with a lower-end graphics card is resolution adjustment. Lowering the video resolution can significantly reduce the strain on your PC and resolve various video errors related to flickering, crashes, out-of-sync videos, and lags.

If you’re watching videos in a browser like Chrome or Firefox, you can do so directly inside the website’s video player. For example, you can click the Settings button in the bottom right corner and change the resolution on YouTube.

Fix 6: Clear Cache and Cookies

While browser cache and cookies help speed up website access, an accumulation can lead to numerous video errors. Therefore, deleting cache and website cookies can help in particular situations. Here’s how you can do that on Google Chrome:

Step 1: Launch Chrome and click the Three Dot button at the top.

Step 2: Go into Settings > Privacy and Security > Clear browsing data > Advanced.

Step 3: Change the Time range to All time and select Cached images and files and Cookies and other site data.

Step 4: Hit Clear data and restart the browser afterward.

Clearing cache on Firefox, Opera, Safari, and other web browsers is similar, but you can also search for browser-specific steps.

Fix 7: Update Video Drivers

Outdated GPU drivers are among the leading causes of video issues and are often the culprit if you’re dealing with newer formats. Fortunately, updating video drivers is also one of the most straightforward fixes.

While Windows and Mac operating system updates handle video drivers for integrated graphics cards, you might need to use AMD Radeon Software or Nvidia GeForce Experience if you have a discrete graphics card.

Open the GPU software, check for updates, and download the newest driver. Then, carefully follow the instructions and let the application handle everything. Your screen might flash during these updates.

Fix 8: Install the Latest Codecs

Your video issues might result from missing codecs, preventing you from opening and playing particular video formats. However, installing the latest video codecs can quickly resolve these video problems.

It’s highly advisable to use one of the popular codec packs, like Shark007, K-Lite, and X, which include a wide range of video codecs, letting you achieve complete coverage for all formats.

Fix 9: Run Windows Troubleshooter

Windows Troubleshooter is an excellent built-in tool for resolving various operating system issues. As of Windows 10, Microsoft also includes two video-specific troubleshooting tools, which you can use by following these steps:

Step 1: Navigate to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.

Step 2: Find and run the Video Playback and Windows Media Player troubleshooting tools individually.

They’re worth trying since they’re fast and capable of resolving various video problems.

Fix 10: Adjust the Right Sound Settings

Sound is a vital component of any video – having it work perfectly is essential for a proper video experience. The bad news is that sound issues are pretty standard when playing videos. However, they’re also easy to fix by adjusting your sound settings.

Step 1: Open Windows Settings and navigate to System > Sound.

Step 2: Adjust the output device, and make sure the volume is set to an appropriate level.

Unplugging and plugging your audio devices back in might also help.

Fix 11: Update Your OS

Keeping your OS up-to-date is vital for the health of your entire system, but it’s also essential in resolving various video issues. Fortunately, updating the OS is incredibly straightforward, and here’s how:

Step 1: Press the Windows key and look for Windows Update settings.

Step 2: Click on Check for updates.

Step 3: Install any available updates.

Updating macOS works similarly:

Step 1: Click the Apple icon in the top left.

Step 2: Navigate to System Settings > General > Software Update.

Step 3: Press Upgrade Now.

Don’t forget to restart your computer afterward.

Fix 12: Uninstall Conflicting Apps

Your operating system can get confused when multiple applications do the same task. Thus, you might need to remove “duplicates” by following these steps:

Step 1: Tap the Windows key and search for the Control Panel.

Step 2: Open the Control Panel and click on Uninstall a program under Programs.

Step 3: Locate and uninstall conflicting applications like multiple browsers, video players, or codec packs

Please note that you shouldn’t remove apps you’re unsure about.

Fix 13: Remove Plugins From Your Browser

The quality of online videos can suffer due to having numerous browser plugins, also known as extensions, which can also cause video errors. Therefore, removing them is highly advisable. Here’s how you can do that on Chrome:

Step 1: Launch Google Chrome and click the Menu button.

Step 2: Navigate to Extensions > Manage Extensions.

Step 3: Click Remove on extensions you think are the most likely culprits.

Step 4: Restart the browser and check whether the issue persists after removing each extension.

While our guide is for Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Opera, and other browsers will have similar steps.

Bonus Tip: Fix Corrupted Videos Quickly Online

In addition to having excellent Windows and Mac applications, Wondershare Repairit is also available online, making it easily accessible on all smart devices with a web browser. Operating the online service is incredibly straightforward, but we’ve also included a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Visit Wondershare Repairit’s Online Video Repair website and click Add to upload your problematic videos.

Step 2: Tap Repair to start repairing your corrupted videos.

Step 3: The online service lets you preview repaired files by clicking the Play icon before downloading them.

Step 4: If you’re satisfied with the repair, click the Download All button to download all the videos simultaneously.

The Wondershare Repairit desktop app and the Wondershare Repairit Online service are similar and capable of handling any broken video issues you throw at them. However, it’s worth noting that the desktop app supports a few more video formats than the online service and has no video size limits.

Conclusion

Seeing your precious memories appear as broken videos you can’t play can be heart-wrenching and overwhelming. However, people experience problems with videos daily. They’re widespread and can be caused by

Fortunately, these issues are often nothing to fear. Although they can appear in many forms, like black and flickering screens, dead pixels, corrupted video files, error messages, blurry videos, and so much more, they’re relatively easy to fix when you know what troubleshooting method to use.

We’ve included a list of the best fixes for these video errors, like a different media player, updating your GPU drivers, running Windows Update, deleting browser cache and cookies, etc. And for significantly corrupted video files and pesky errors that won’t go away, dedicated video repair software like Wondershare Repairit works wonders.