[Solved] Why & How to Fix Samsung TV Not Playing MKV Files

My Samsung TV won't play certain mkv files it's maybe 1/20 mkv files. I've tried using mkvmerge GUI and set all the tracks' compression to none but it still won't play...

Watching videos or movies on HDTVs will absolutely gives you a crisper and sharper image with better experience on big screens. And no matter you download your favorite videos from online, or get a copy from DVD/Blu-ray discs, you're in a great chance to meet MKV videos, which saves multiple audio, subtitle, chapter tracks at high-definition. However, many users find some certain MKV files not playing on Samsung TV. For example, as you're trying to play 1920 * 1080p MKV files in Samsung TV, you get an error saying the file cannot be played. Or some video files in MKV format have no sound when playing on Samsung TV.

Hot search: How to play MKV files on Mac with QuickTime >>

Table of Contents

• Part 1. Why Won't Samsung TV Play MKV Files?
• Part 2. How to Solve Samsung TV not Playing MKV Files?
• Part 3. How Play MKV Files on Samsung TV after Solving the Error?

Part 1. Why Some Certain MKV Files Not Playing on Samsung TV?

Though Samsung Smart TV claims to support a wide range of video and audio formats, MKV not playing error also comes up from time to time. Actually, it can be caused by various reasons as below.

1. MKV format/codec is not supported. MKV is just a video container, which can be encoded with a wide range of codecs, like HEVC, H.264, MPEG-4, VP9, DTS audio etc. While Samsung TV has poor compatibility with some of the codecs, such as Dolby True Audio and DTS Audio, which will make MKV not playing on Samsung TV.

2. Media with higher bit or frame rate than specifications. Samsung TV only supports MKV files in specific bitrate and frame rate, for example, 4K H.264 at 30fps/60fps, 4K/8K HEVC at 60fps, 1080p VP8 WebM at 60fps etc. If your MKV video is in higher bit rate or frame rate, MKV will goes unplayable, stuttering, dropping frames and so on. See more about Samsung TV video specifications >>

3. MKV file is corrupted. MKV won't play if your MKV file is corrupted or the information in the container is wrong.

4. Incompatible USB and digital camera devices. Many users play MKV videos via USB or digital camera devices. If none of the above is true, it might be an issue of USB or digital camera devices, which are not compatible with your Samsung TV.

Part 2. How to Fix MKV Files Not Playing on Samsung TV Error? [Solved]

The Key: Convert MKV to MP4 or any formats that Samsung TV can recognize.

From the above, MKV format/codec incompatibity lies in the major cause of Samsung TV not playing MKV videos. The easiest & most direct way comes to make MKV videos compatible with Samsung TV. For that, converting MKV files to Samsung TV could get everything done.

HD Video Converter Deluxe is an excellent MKV converter, which converts MKV to MP4, MOV, AVI, WebM, and 420+ profiles, transcodes HEVC MKV to H.264, DTS to MP3/AAC, and changes MKV video specifications like resolution (eg. 4K to 1080p), bit rate, frame rate etc. Besides, with this video converting software, MKV file size will be compressed greatly without quality loss. Still, you don't have to worry about video converting speed, the embedded hardware acceleration tech will invoke GPU encoding/decoding built in graphic cards, achieving up to 47x real-time faster speed.

Step 1. Open up the MKV converting software, and load the Samsung TV unrecognized MKV files through drag and drop, or "+ Video" button. Batch conversion is available when you imported multiple MKV videos at once.

Step 2. Seconds later, an output profile window pops up automatically. Scroll down to choose "General Profiles" > "MP4 Video" > "OK" to convert MKV to MP4. Of course, if you're clear which codec is the culprit, for example, mkv file audio not supported on TV, you can transcode the embedded codec without changing video container, for example, go to "PC General Profiles" > Matroska Video (h.264+aac) to transocde MKV HEVC to H.264, and DTS to AAC.

If your source MKV not playing on Samsung TV owing to higher specifications, you can make them playable with the following advanced settings:

• Click gear-shaped Setting button, and drop down the list of Resolution, where you can downscale 4K to 1080p/720p for smaller file size or upscale HD to 4K to fit bigger screens.
• Drop down the Frame Rate list, then you're able to change 1080p/4K 60fps to 30fps, or vice versa.
• Select Variable Rate or Constant Rate next to the Bit Rate (Quality), type in the target bit rate for your MKV videos.

Step 3. Click Browse button to set a destination folder if necessary. Then hit RUN button to finish MKV conversion in a very short time.

Part 3. How Play MKV Files on Samsung TV after Solving the Error?

Samsung TV natively supports MKV container format. If the MKV file is not playing on Samsung TV, the reason may be the incompatible codec issue. By converting MKV to Samsung TV supported format with HD Video Converter Deluxe, and then you can play MKV files on Samsung TV smoothly without errors.

Step 1. Connect your USB to computer to transfer the converted MKV files to it.

Step 2. Plug the USB storage device that contains your MKV files into a USB port at the back of your Samsung TV or the Mini One Connect of your TV.
* In QLED, SUHD and Full HD TVs, a pop-up message appears and lets you move easily to the multimedia content list on the device. Then, you can select an item to play from the list.

Step 3. Press the Source button on your remote and then select USB Device. Or you can press the Home button on your remote, navigate to Source and choose USB Device/Connected Device.

Step 4. Select the MKV file to play.

Note. If you want to play another MKV media file in your USB drive, simply press Return button on your remote and it will return to the MY CONTENT page.

Alternatively, you can stream MKV videos to Samsung TV to play with DLNA Media Server. Most Samsung 4K/8K smart TVs support DLNA technology today. All you need to do is to download a DLNA player like 5KPlayer on your computer, connect the player and Samsung TV to same network and then stream the MKV files from computer to Samsung TV.