Media Player Codec Pack Download Free Guide

How to download media player codec pack free for Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7 to solve "media player not support codec" error?

You might not notice the high download numbers of Windows Media Player (70,000+ per month) and Media Player Codec Pack (about 50,000 per month) on Softonic, the so-called paradise for software/app, but most of you certainly run up against "Windows Media Player might not support the file type or the codec" problem. The data reveals that WMP users are so loyal that they would rather download media player codec pack to make up for incompatible codecs and perfect the Player software. Actually, besides Windows Media Player, hardly a media player including VLC contains all the codecs for video music playback, but they often need to download codec pack. If you wonder how, next are guides on media player codec pack download for media players on Windows PC.

Why Need to Download Codec Pack for Media Player?

MP4, MKV, AVI, etc. are container formats that contains various video audio codecs. For example, MKV is a container format with variable codecs can be built in including common H.264 (AVC; MPEG 4 Part 10), DivX Video, XviD Video, AAC Audio, Ogg Vorbis audio, Multichannel ( 5.1 surround ) audio, Dolby AC3 audio, MP3 audio, MPEG4V1/2/3 video, and rare Realvideo, Realaudio, RV 9, RV 10 and ON2 (VP4, VP5, VP6).

So, if your media player doesn’t include the certain MKV codec like H.264, it will fail to play the MKV file. The codec pack is the key for a media player to open a media file, that’s why we need to download codec pack for media player including your Windows Media Player and VLC media player.

How to Free Download Media Player Codec Pack?

To install codec pack to beef up your media player, there are a variety of codec pack download sites you can choose from and we will list the top 3.

No. 1 Media Player Codec Pack
Download link: https://www.mediaplayercodecpack.com/
This codec pack site provides you with diverse multimedia codecs, filters, plug-ins and splitters for media players on Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP, 2000, 2008 & 2003. By downloading this codec pack, you are able to play .bdmv, .evo, .hevc, .mkv, .avi, .flv, .webm, .mp4, .m4v, .m4a, .ts, .ogm, .ac3, .dts, .alac, .flac, .ape, .aac, .ogg, .ofr, .mpc, .3gp media files and many more.

No. 2 CCCP (Combined Community Codec Pack)
Download link: http://www.cccp-project.net/
Though the codec pack has stopped the update, it’s still very popular. The Combined Community Codec Pack is a simple playback pack of Windows with the goal of supporting the majority video formats in use today. With it, your Windows media players can play most common media files successfully.

No. 3 K-Lite Codec Pack
Download link: https://www.codecguide.com/download_kl.htm
The K-Lite Codec Pack is also designed for Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 & 10 only. Based on your requirements, K-Lite offers you four types of codec pack ranging from a very small bundle that contains only the most essential decoders to a large and more comprehensive bundle. K-Lite codec pack also includes 32-bit and 64-bit codecs that will work great on both x86 and x64 variants of Windows.

To make things clearer, we will take how to download Windows Media Player Codec Pack as an example.

Step 1. Figure out what codecs you are missing now. Windows Media Player 11/10/9/for XP/7 do not support MOV, MP4, M4V and M2TS. Instead of downloading media player code pack for Windows (10/8/7), you can choose a particular MKV codec, H.265 codec, etc, based on your need. Check via the next steps: Open Windows Media Player > Help > About Windows Media Player > Technical Support Information.

Step 2. Download Windows Media Player codec pack. Search "media player codec pack for Windows/10" online and you will get a list of it. But be cautious and choose carefully, for wrong codec pack or free ones with virus may cause serious playback errors or system crash. Read over editor's review and users' comments. Here we leave you the link of a Windows media player codec pack, which has achieved 13 million download on CNET.

Step 3. Install Windows media player codec pack. Take media player codec pack download on CNET as an example: click "Download Now" > save the codec pack .exe file > open the installer > choose Easy installation or Detailed installation > Next > I Agree > click Next to finish the installation.

Note:
1. Do remember to download media player codec pack for 32-bit and 64-bit OS accordingly.
2. To play DVD, download MPEG2 codec; to play 4K/8K UHD video, install H.265 codec pack.
3. Things You Should Know before Download Windows Media Player Codec Pack:

• Windows Media Player is accessible on Windows 10.
• The latest version is Windows Media Player 12.
• WMP 12 supported file formats: Video-WMV, AVI, MPEG, MOV, MP4, M4V, 3GP, M2TS; Audio-WMA, MP3, MIDI, WAV, W4A, AAC.

Media Player Codec Pack vs. Codec Player

As a matter of fact, downloading media player codec pack won’t work for any cases.

"When I tried to play an 18-second 4320p/8K sample video with Windows Media Player on Windows 10, it just gave me a clue like 'The Player might not support the codec'. Windows 10 supports H.265, am I right? Meaning UHD videos should be played without a hitch and no need to download media player codec pack. So what's wrong with it?"

Normally when you get stuck in incompatible codec issues, click Web Help in Windows Media Player's pop-up box and you will find the exact codec you lack. Download install the media player codec pack for Windows/10, and things will be done. But what if it does not work? You have to know the truth that codec pack from some sites may contain virus, adware or spyware, and they may also conflicted with the existed codecs on your computer. In most cases, the third-party codec packs are not available for Mac.

So, using a media player with built-in codec pack will be a good way out. 5KPlayer, one of the best free media players with fresh designs, has managed to wow us with its great compatibility for all SD, HD, UHD (4K/5K/8K), 360-degree and DVD videos. Without downloading any media player codec pack, you can freely play H.265, MP4, MKV and DVD files.

• FREE all-in-one HD/UHD player, online video downloader and streamer software
• Codec support H.265, H.264, MPEG4, MPEG2, AVI, MOV, MP3, FLAC, APE, etc
• 1000+ sites download video from YouTube, FB, Vimeo, DailyMotion, etc

Media Player Codec Pack vs Convert Video Codec

All roads lead to Rome and you just need to pick out the most direct or smooth one. If you insist using your default media player to play videos, converting video codec to more supported files formats is a better way out. Winxvideo AI is a good helper.

Step 1: Get to know media formats supported by Windows 10

Step 2: Download Winxvideo AI with ample input/output codecs.

Step 3: Take converting 8K video to Windows 10 as an example. Click "+ Video" to load the source file.

Step 4: Select a compatible video codec for WMP on Windows 10 in the Output Profile center. Choose MP4, AVI and WMV in "General Profiles", or AVC, HEVC, Matroska, 3GP in "PC Genral Video".

Step 5: Set a destination folder and RUN the codec converting process. When it's done, your 8K video will be playable on Windows 10 without downloading any media player codec pack.