AVI (Audio Video Interleave) is a popular video file format that is widely used for storing and playing videos on various devices. However, if you are a Windows 10 user, you may have encountered issues while trying to play AVI files on your computer. This can be frustrating, especially if you have important videos that you need to view. In this article, we will discuss how to view AVI files on windows 10 and the best AVI players for this operating system.
Why Can’t I View AVI Files on Windows 10?
Before we dive into the solutions, it is important to understand why you may be unable to view AVI files on your Windows 10 computer. There are a few reasons why this may happen:
- Missing codecs: Codecs are software programs that encode and decode video and audio data. If your computer does not have the necessary codecs to play AVI files, you will not be able to view them.
- Outdated media player: If you are using an outdated media player, it may not support the AVI format. This is especially true for the default Windows Media Player on Windows 10.
- Corrupted file: If the AVI file is corrupted or damaged, it may not play on any media player.
Now that you know the possible reasons for being unable to view AVI files on Windows 10, let’s discuss the solutions.
Solution 1: Use a Different Media Player
The first solution is to use a different media player that supports the AVI format. There are many media players available for Windows 10, but not all of them support AVI files. Here are some of the best media players that you can use to view AVI files on Windows 10:
1. VLC Media Player
VLC Media Player is a popular open-source media player that supports a wide range of video and audio formats, including AVI. It is free to download and use, and it is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. To view AVI files on Windows 10 using VLC Media Player, follow these steps:
- Download and install VLC Media Player from the official website.
- Open VLC Media Player and click on the “Media” tab in the top menu.
- Select “Open File” and navigate to the location of the AVI file you want to view.
- Click on the file and then click “Open” to start playing the video.
2. KMPlayer
KMPlayer is another popular media player that supports the AVI format. It is known for its user-friendly interface and advanced features, such as 3D playback and subtitle support. To view AVI files on Windows 10 using KMPlayer, follow these steps:
- Download and install KMPlayer from the official website.
- Open KMPlayer and click on the “Open” button in the top menu.
- Navigate to the location of the AVI file you want to view.
- Click on the file and then click “Open” to start playing the video.
3. PotPlayer
PotPlayer is a lightweight media player that supports a wide range of video and audio formats, including AVI. It is known for its smooth playback and customizable interface. To view AVI files on Windows 10 using PotPlayer, follow these steps:
- Download and install PotPlayer from the official website.
- Open PotPlayer and click on the “Open” button in the top menu.
- Navigate to the location of the AVI file you want to view.
- Click on the file and then click “Open” to start playing the video.
Solution 2: Install the Necessary Codecs
If you prefer to use the default Windows Media Player to view AVI files, you can install the necessary codecs to make it compatible with this format. Codecs can be downloaded from various websites, but it is important to be cautious when downloading from third-party sources. Here’s how you can install codecs on Windows 10:
- Go to the official website of the codec you want to install.
- Download the codec and follow the installation instructions.
- Once the codec is installed, open Windows Media Player and try playing the AVI file again.
Solution 3: Convert the AVI File to a Different Format
If the AVI file is corrupted or damaged, you may not be able to view it on any media player. In this case, you can try converting the file to a different format using a video converter. There are many video converters available for Windows 10, but not all of them support the AVI format. Here are some of the best video converters that you can use to convert AVI files on Windows 10:
1. HandBrake
HandBrake is a free and open-source video converter that supports a wide range of video formats, including AVI. It is known for its fast conversion speed and high-quality output. To convert AVI files using HandBrake, follow these steps:
- Download and install HandBrake from the official website.
- Open HandBrake and click on the “Source” button in the top menu.
- Navigate to the location of the AVI file you want to convert.
- Click on the file and then click “Open” to add it to HandBrake.
- Select the output format from the “Format” dropdown menu.
- Click on the “Start” button to start the conversion process.
2. Freemake Video Converter
Freemake Video Converter is a popular video converter that supports a wide range of video formats, including AVI. It is known for its user-friendly interface and fast conversion speed. To convert AVI files using Freemake Video Converter, follow these steps:
- Download and install Freemake Video Converter from the official website.
- Open Freemake Video Converter and click on the “+Video” button.
- Navigate to the location of the AVI file you want to convert.
- Click on the file and then click “Open” to add it to Freemake Video Converter.
- Select the output format from the “Convert to” dropdown menu.
- Click on the “Convert” button to start the conversion process.
Conclusion
In this article, we discussed how to view AVI files on Windows 10. If you are unable to view AVI files on your computer, you can try using a different media player, installing the necessary codecs, or converting the file to a different format. We hope this article helped you find a solution to your AVI playback issues on Windows 10.