Help! I Have Audio But No Video While Playing an AVI File in Windows Media Player. If your AVI movie plays sound but no picture in Windows Media Player (WMP), it’s usually because the video was encoded with a codec your PC doesn’t have. Common video compression formats include XVID, DX50, DIVX, and mp4v. Windows Media Player can play the audio but cannot render the video until the proper codec is installed.
How to Play .AVI Movies in Windows Media Player (Legacy Method)
To watch AVI files encoded with XVID, DIVX, or similar formats in WMP, you need the XVID codec. The official XVID codec is available from Koepi's Media Development Site.
Download the latest revision of the XVID codec here.
- Download the XVID Codec: Click here to download.
- Install the Codec: Run the downloaded file, usually named Xvid-1.3-###.exe, and follow the installation instructions to add the XVID codec to your system.
- Open Your AVI File: Launch Windows Media Player and open your AVI movie. The video should now render correctly along with the audio.
Modern Alternatives (Recommended)
While the XVID codec method still works, modern Windows 10 and 11 users may find it easier to use a player that natively supports all AVI codecs:
- VLC Media Player: Plays almost every video format, including XVID, DIVX, DX50, mp4v, and more, with no additional codecs required. Download VLC here.
- K-Lite Codec Pack: Installs a full set of audio and video codecs, making WMP capable of playing most modern and legacy formats. Download K-Lite here.
Troubleshooting AVI Playback Issues
- Still no video? Ensure the codec is installed correctly and restart Windows Media Player.
- Try VLC Media Player: VLC eliminates the need for separate codecs and works out-of-the-box.
- File integrity: Some AVI files may be corrupted, causing playback issues even with the proper codec installed.
Pro Tips
- Always download codecs from official sources to avoid malware.
- If you frequently watch AVI files, a full codec pack like K-Lite avoids missing codec errors.
- Modern players like VLC make legacy codec installations unnecessary.
After following these steps, your AVI files should display both audio and video correctly, whether using Windows Media Player with XVID installed or a modern player like VLC. Enjoy your movies! ;)
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