VLC Play H.265/HEVC: How-To and Fixes for Playback Issues

Lynn Hu
Jan 03, 2025 / Updated by Lynn Hu para Reprodução

As you know, the H.265/HEVC codec is known for its high compression efficiency, and VLC is a versatile media player that covers almost all media file formats. Can VLC play H.265/HEVC videos? The good news is that VLC handles H.265 playback; however, you must be ready for some playback issues that might happen. But worry not, as this post will guide you not only for playing HEVC on VLC player but also tips to resolve potential playback problems. Read on now!

How to Play H.265/HEVC Videos in VLC Media Player

Since VLC handles almost any file type, you must be glad to know that VLC supports H.265/HEVC video files, too. To begin, follow these steps to learn how VLC plays H.265/HEVC.

Passo 1.Make sure first that you’re using the latest VLC version as newer versions offer better support for codecs like H.265. To do so, open VLC, then go to “Help”, and click “Check for Updates”.

Vlc Check For Updates

Passo 2.Next, install the HEVC codec. You can use the K-Lite Codec Pack on a Windows PC if the VLC Media Player is not able to decode your H.265/HEVC video files.

Etapa 3. Launch the VLC Media Player on your computer. Start with the “Media” menu and choose “Open File” then determine your HEVC video from your computer and click the “Open” button.

Vlc Open Your Hevc File

Passo 4. If the HEVC video stutters, you can head to “Tools”, and then “Preferences”. In the “Simple Preferences” dialogue box, aim for the “Input/Codecs” tab, then from “Codecs”, please enable “Hardware-accelerated decoding” to offload the task to your GPU.

Vlc Enable Hardware Accelerated

Quick Fixes for VLC HEVC Playback Problems

While HEVC videos provide better quality at smaller file sizes, you may encounter HEVC playback issues in VLC, like having choppy playback, not playing audio or video, or other glitches in the player. Issues like these are caused by so many reasons, such as problems with codecs, hardware, or software. But you’re lucky, as there are quick fixes available that can resolve these VLC HEVC playback problems, and here they are:

#1. Update VLC Media Player

Using the outdated VLC version lacks the necessary codecs to play HEVC videos, so keep your VLC program up-to-date to ensure compatibility with newer formats. Updating the player also means you fix bugs and other glitches that may cause playback problems.

Check For Updates Vlc

#2. Enable Hardware Acceleration

Another easy-to-apply solution to let VLC play H.265/HEVC again is enabling hardware acceleration. Doing so will offload the decoding process to the GPU, giving you a smoother playback and minimizing strain on the CPU. Here’s how:

  • 1. On VLC, head to “Tools” then “Preferences”.
  • 2. From the “Input/Codecs” tab, locate the “Hardware-accelerated decoding” option.
  • 3. Set it to “Automatic” or another option ideal for your system.
Ativar aceleração de hardware

#3. Install the Necessary Codecs

There may be times when you face VLC play H.265 issues due to missing or incomplete codec installations. In such cases, you have to install or update the needed HEVC codecs to resolve the playback issues.

  • 1. Get the HEVC codec pack from a reliable source. Otherwise, download and install the K-Lite Codec Pack, which covers a wide range of formats, including HEVC.
  • 2. Restart VLC and try playing your H.265 HEVC files again.

#4. Change Video Output Settings

For ‘no video or audio in VLC’ problems, most of the time, it happens due to VLC video output settings not working correctly with your system configuration. Thus, what you need to do is disable or change the settings to be able to do VLC play H.265/HEVC again. You can also convert VLC to MP4 diretamente.

  • 1. Inside the VLC program, head to “Tools” then “Preferences”.
  • 2. From the “Video” tab, locate the “Output” section, where you can change the output to “DirectX”.
  • 3. Save the settings now and restart the media player.
Change Video Output Settings

#5. Reinstall the VLC Media Player

After all those fixes, and VLC is still not able to play H.265 HEVC files, try a fresh installation of the player. By doing this, more profound issues you don’t know about, like corrupted files or incorrect settings, will be resolved, which will fix the playback problems.

  • 1. Uninstall VLC using your computer’s settings or control panel.
  • 2. After a while, get the latest version from its official website.
  • 3. Reinstall VLC, and try again opening and playing your H.265 HEVC videos.

With these quick fixes, you can play H.265 files on VLC without error, giving you only a smoother viewing experience for all your videos. But if you’re looking for another perfect player that plays H.265/HEVC video, look closely at the following part.

Best Alternative to Bypass VLC Not Playing HEVC

Suppose those quick fixes do not resolve the VLC HEVC playback issues, consider getting a smooth and reliable VLC alternative to play your H.265/HEVC videos. For this, Leitor de Blu-ray AnyRec is a superb option. This Leitor HEVC provides seamless playback, even for those high-definition videos, which VLC sometimes struggles with. Also, this alternative player is designed with high-quality video and audio in mind, giving you stunning clarity in every frame. It is not only for videos and audio files but also works excellently on discs, making it an all-in-one tool for media playback. Another thing about this player is its intuitive controls, allowing you to import the file quickly, adjust the playback speed, and even fine-tune video/audio settings.

Pacote de reprodutor Blu-ray AnyRec
Leitor de Blu-ray AnyRec

Smooth playback of HEVC videos without compatibility problems.

Full support for 4K UHD playback of video and audio files, even discs.

Can adjust subtitle languages and adjust tracks during playback.

Advanced audio decoding technologies to get high-quality sound.

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Passo 1.Ready your H.265/HEVC video files, then launch Leitor de Blu-ray AnyRec on your desktop screen. From its interface, click the “Open File” button to import the video file you wish to play. You can also drag and drop it straight to play.

Botão Abrir Arquivo

Passo 2.Your HEVC file will immediately start loading and then play on your screen. Use the below tools to adjust the speed and audio volume. That’s how easy it is to play H.265/HEVC files with AnyRec Blu-ray Player!

Painel de controle de vídeo
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Conclusão

That ends this guide about VLC play H.265/HEVC! While it is a popular choice for playing a wide range of formats, as you see, it may face issues when playing H.265/HEVC videos, particularly on older systems. Fortunately, quick fixes are provided to get that smooth playback of HEVC content. But for a more reliable solution and to avoid HEVC not playing issues, use the Leitor de Blu-ray AnyRec. With its dedicated support for H.265/HEVC, features like 4K UHD playback, hardware acceleration, advanced audio technologies, and more, it is the best player for all your media needs. Enhance your viewing experience without worrying about compatibility issues.

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