VLC Media Player won't open at all (Codec error?)

[sbe19xx]

I've been using VLC Media Player for the last few months after I downloaded it, and it's been working fine. However, I recently installed a codec pack (called the K-Lite Codec Pack 6.5.0 Full) and I think it may have messed up my media player settings. VLC media player will not open for any file I try to play now. I uninstalled the codec pack, but it's still the same result. I re-installed VLC, rebooted my comp, then tried to go to default programs afterward (I have Windows Vista) and make sure VLC was my default player, but it's still the same result. The problem only seems to be with VLC, not with any other media player I have. Is there a way I can get VLC to open again?

Please help, thank you

[Lotesdelere]

VLC does not use external codecs but its own built-in ones.
Try to reset VLC settings by removing %appdata%\vlc folder.

[sbe19xx]

VLC does not use external codecs but its own built-in ones.
Try to reset VLC settings by removing %appdata%\vlc folder.

I can't find such a folder. All my VLC information is located in C:\Program Files (x86)\VideoLAN\VLC, and I can't see any folder labeled %appdata%/vlc

[Lotesdelere]

Hit the Windows key AND the R key together at the same time and a Run dialog box will pop up. Then type in %appdata% then click on Ok or press Enter. Now scroll down to find the VLC folder and delete it.

[sbe19xx]

Hit the Windows key AND the R key together at the same time and a Run dialog box will pop up. Then type in %appdata% then click on Ok or press Enter. Now scroll down to find the VLC folder and delete it.

Just did as you instructed, but there's no VLC folder that appeared as I scrolled through the list. It doesn't exist at all :/

[Lotesdelere]

It does exist, you must have a VLC settings folder.

%appdata% is not a folder name but a variable because the location is not the same on XP than on Seven but using this variable will open the user's settings folder. What is your OS ?

[sbe19xx]

Ir does exist, you must have a VLC settings folder.

%appdata% is not a folder name but a variable because the location is not the same on XP than on Seven but using this variable will open the user's settings folder. What is your OS ?

My OS is Windows Vista. I ran %appdata% like you said, and there were a list of folders that came up, even ones for other media players that I have (like Final Media Player), but I did not see one for VLC

[Lotesdelere]

Open the Folder Options in the Vista Control Panel, and on the View tab change the option to "Show hidden files and folders", then click OK then try again to find the VLC folder.

[sbe19xx]

I did and I tried again. It still won't show up

[Lotesdelere]

You must have one anyway so it's up to you to find it. I don't have Vista so I can't help you more. By the way are we talking about one single standalone computer or are you on a network ?

[sbe19xx]

You must have one anyway so it's up to you to find it. I don't have Vista so I can't help you more. By the way are we talking about one single standalone computer or are you on a network ?

That's ok thanks for your help though. And it's a single computer

[Lotesdelere]

And it's a single computer

Which means the settings folder of VLC is into the %appdata% folder of the local HDD. I have no idea why you can't find it though but it's there.

You can try the Reset Preferences button at the bottom of the Tools -> Preferences window but if it's not enough then you'll have to find out the %appdata%\VLC folder and to delete it as suggested before.

[bargz]

Try to reset VLC settings by removing %appdata%\vlc folder.

This worked for me. Thanks!!

[maggiemtnman]

I have Win XP and VLC has worked fine for many years. Now I can not open it. I have not downloaded any new programs and use Norton and MalwarBytes with recent scans indicating clean. I uninstalled and then downloaded VCL again but it will still not open. However I can use Microsoft Media Player. Something has happened and I do not know what to do to find out. I know that XP is not supported anymore and I was wondering if VCL choose not to support it and this is why it will not open ..... thanks in advance for your help

[Lotesdelere]

I have Win XP and VLC has worked fine for many years. Now I can not open it. I have not downloaded any new programs and use Norton and MalwarBytes with recent scans indicating clean. I uninstalled and then downloaded VCL again but it will still not open. However I can use Microsoft Media Player. Something has happened and I do not know what to do to find out. I know that XP is not supported anymore and I was wondering if VCL choose not to support it and this is why it will not open ..... thanks in advance for your help

Have you tried to reset the preferences as explained above ?