Fixed: PowerPoint Codec Unavailable and Video Not Playing Issues
Many users tend to add videos or audio components into their PPT to achieve a stunning effect. However, some of those video or audio clips can’t be displayed in PowerPoint now and then, with the prompt “Codec unavailable”.
Generally, the prompt “Codec unavailable” or “video/audio won’t play in PowerPoint” appears when the PowerPoint meets the unsupported codecs or file formats. In the following parts, the specific cause behind each error prompt will be analyzed with corresponding solutions.
Error 1: “Codec Unavailable” (but the video or audio file can be played in Windows Media Player).
If you can play the media in Windows Media Player, it means there’s no codec missing from your PC.
Step-by-step Guides on How to Fix Unavailable Codec on PowerPoint
Solution 1: Change the extension of the PPT file.
Step 1: Change the file extension back to .ppt
Step 2: Open it in PowerPoint and then save it as a .ppsx file.
Step 3: Now the video or audio can be played correctly.
Solution 2: Optimize Media Compatibility
You can also use the Optimize Media Compatibility setting inside the PowerPoint to fix the unsupported media file. The guides are as below:
Step 1: Hit the File option on the top bar.
Step 2: Choose “Info” > the Optimize Media Compatibility setting will come up when there does exist an embedded incompatible media > Select the Optimize option.
Besides changing PPT file extension and optimize media compatibility, another worry-free method is to quickly convert your video to PPT supported format.
Error 2: “PowerPoint cannot insert a video from the selected file. Verify that the necessary 64/32-bit codec for this media format is installed”
Cause: Lack of the required codec in your computer.
Solution: Download and install the required 64/32-bit Codec Pack.
How to Install the Required Codec that is Missing?
Step 1: Enter the website free-codecs.com or any other website you trust that hosts the code pack.
Step 2: Search for Video codecs LAV Filters and download the latest file.
Step 3: Just follow the setup instructions but attention should be given when you choose the installed components
• Tick all x64 if you’re using a 64-bit PC
• Tick all x86 if you’re using a 32-bit PC
With the LAV Filters installed, you can now most probably play your video successfully in PowerPoint.
Error Message 3: “Flash-embedded videos are no longer supported”
Cause: According to Microsoft Office support page, YouTube dropped supports for flash player frame that PowerPoint 2010 depends upon. Therefore, users will encounter playback error on PowerPoint 2010 and older versions when playing YouTube linked videos.
How to Fix Flash-embedded Videos No Longer Supported by PowerPoint?
Solution 1: Update your old PowerPoint 2010 to PPT 2013, 2016, or become an office 365 subscriber. These newer versions of PowerPoint adopt HTML5 infrastructure instead of flash player infrastructure, thus are unaffected in most cases.
Solution 2: Convert YouTube URL link to videos and insert into PowerPoint if you want to stay on the 2010 version.
Error Message 4: “Media Unavailable” (but the media file can be played in the original computer with the same configuration where the PPT file is created).
Cause: Your computer blocks the file coming from other devices.
Solution: Unblock the PPT file.
Right-click on the PPT file > Click on Properties > Choose Unblock in Security option under General
Error Message 5: “Media Unavailable”
Cause: In many cases, the warning “Media Unavailable” appears when the user just inserts an unsupported media format into PowerPoint. For instance, MP4 are likely to encounter playback error in older PowerPoint versions if the file is encoded in a way that cannot be recognized by your Windows. You can check out compatible video formats for PowerPoint.
- For audio formats, the WAV format is most compatible with PowerPoint 2010 and later versions. Besides, M4A files encoded with AAC audio is supported by PowerPoint 2016.
- For video formats, the WMV format most compatible with PowerPoint 2010. Plus, PowerPoint 2016 supports MP4 files encoded with H.264 video and AAC.
Ultimate Solution to Fix PowerPoint Video Playback Error
If you fret about all the hassles to troubleshoot codec available error and playback issue in PowerPoint, instead of trying the above solutions one by one, you can instead of using VideoProc to convert videos with the best quality, thus solve the issue in a jiffy.
VideoProc: Easy-to-use Video Processor with Efficient Converting Engine
- Maximum input and output video codec supported;
- Convert video in fast speed while retaining great quality;
- Full hardware acceleration supported to relieve your CPU;
- Convert videos, audio tracks, YouTube links, DVDs to desired formats.
Convert Video for Smooth PowerPoint Playback
Take MP4 to WMV conversion as an example, below are quick steps.
Step 1: Free download and install VideoProc.
Step 2: Launch VideoProc > Click Video button.
Step 3: Hit +Video at the top bar to import the video > Choose PowerPoint compatible format such as MP4 in the Video option at the bottom > Click Run.
How to Convert YouTube URL to Video for PowerPoint?
Step 1. Copy and paste your link in the Downloader module.
Step 2. Click Download now to convert URL to Video.
Step 3. Embed or insert video into PowerPoint for smooth playback.
Wrap-up
VideoProc could be an efficient way to fix “Codec/Media Unavailable” errors and requires no learning curve for novice users. Besides converting YouTube videos for PowerPoint 2010 that are influenced by flash player infrastructure, you can also use VideoProc as a convenient video editing software tool.