Generally speaking, VLC Media broken Windows automatic updater is a well-known issue caused by buggy automatic updater code and manual update is the best solution. In addition, you could clear cache, uninstall and reinstall VLC, disable hardware video decoding, change video output module, run VLC in compatibility mode as an administrator, update graphics card driver, etc. You don’t know how to carry out the solutions on your own and could use some help? Then you have come to the right place.
VLC-Related Questions
Is VLC Media Player good?
Among the third-party video players for Windows computers nowadays, not many could match VLC in terms of utility. VLC supports quite a few video formats which eliminate the hassle of downloading additional codecs. Furthermore, since VLC is free, Windows users don’t have to pay to use it.
How can I turn on subtitles in VLC?
In the beginning, make sure that you have the subtitle file on your computer. Next, launch your video in VLC, go to Subtitles, click Add Subtitle file, pick the subtitle file and hit Open.
A List Of Possibilities
While VLC Media Player works well in most of the cases, it could still go haywire out of the blue. Once it comes to VLC Media broken Windows automatic updater, the usual suspects include:
- A bug in automatic updater code
- Corruption in the cache
- VLC and its settings
- Compatibility
- Outdated GPU driver
How To Repair VLC
Update VLC Manually
- Step 1: Launch your web browser, visit the VLC website and download the installer of the latest VLC version.
- Step 2: After the download finishes, locate the installer and run it.
- Step 3: Follow onscreen instructions to initiate the update.
- Step 4: The moment the process completes, restart your computer.
- Step 5: When the screen comes back on, see how things turn out.
Clear Cache
- Step 1: Press Windows + R to open Run, type %AppData%\VLC then hit Ok.
- Step 2: In the VLC cache folder, press Ctrl + A to highlight all files then press Shift + Delete to get rid of them.
- Step 3: Restart your computer.
Note: For good measure, you should consider changing the value of VLC cache.
- Step 1: Launch VLC, select Tools and choose Preferences.
- Step 2: Go to Show Settings, click All and pick Input/Codecs.
- Step 3: Under Advanced, set the File caching and Disc caching values at 2000 or higher.
- Step 4: Save the changes.
- Step 5: Restart your computer.
Uninstall And Reinstall VLC
- Step 1: Go to Search bar, type Control Panel and press Enter.
- Step 2: In Control Panel, change View by to Category then hit Uninstall a program under Program.
- Step 3: Locate VLC, right-click it and pick Uninstall.
- Step 4: Follow onscreen instructions to initiate the uninstallation
- Step 5: Restart your computer, reinstall VLC and determine whether the issue persists.
Disable Hardware Video Decoding
- Step 1: Launch VLC, select Tools and choose Preferences.
- Step 2: Go to Show Settings, pick All and double-click Video codecs.
- Step 3: Head to FFmpeg, change Hardware decoding to Disable and hit Save.
Change Video Output Module
- Step 1: Launch VLC, select Tools and choose Preferences.
- Step 2: Navigate to Video output module and use the dropdown menu to change the module.
- Step 3: Hit Save.
Run VLC In Compatibility Mode As An Administrator
- Step 1: Go to VLC folder, right-click the executable file (.exe) and pick Properties.
- Step 2: Navigate to the Compatibility tab, check the checkbox next to Run this program in compatibility mode for and set it to use an older Windows OS via the dropdown menu.
- Step 3: Proceed to check the Run this program as administrator checkbox.
- Step 4: Select Apply then choose OK.
- Step 5: Restart your computer.
Update Graphics Card Driver
- Step 1: Go to Search bar, type devmgmt.msc and press Enter to open Device Manager.
- Step 2: Expand Display Adapters, right-click your graphics card and pick Update driver.
- Step 3: Follow onscreen instructions to initiate the update.
- Step 4: Allow the process to go all the way.
- Step 5: Restart your computer.
As PCWorld’s senior editor, Mark focuses on Microsoft news and chip technology, among other beats. He has formerly written for PCMag, BYTE, Slashdot, eWEEK, and ReadWrite.