The VideoLAN Forums

Any file that I play in VLC, I'm only getting the audio and no video. Can anyone tell me why?

I usually uninstall, run CCleaner and then reinstall and it works but then after I shut down and reboot it's back to audio only again.

Is it a codec problem? Am I missing files or registry entries or something?

Also I've noticed that VLC isn't closing properly ie the process is still there in the Task Manager and if I end the process and reopen VLC it's back to audio only. Is something corrupted?

Thank you for you help

Blank or Black screen

Assuming that you have tried to reset the defaults or better yet erase the preferences directory. C:\Documents and Settings\Owner (this is you)\Application Data\VLC Erase VLC, Application Data is a hidden directory so you will need to make it visible. Reset can be accomplished external to VLC by going to Start Menu. Programs, VideoLAN and selecting the reset icon or internal to VLC through Miscellaneous, Preferences, reset. Then you must restart VLC.

You can try the following:

1. Open VLC, Be sure you are in the wxWidgets (this is the default) mode, from the "Settings" pull down check "Extend GUI", on the video tab check "enable" and then "restore defaults". Now try calling a file into VLC. If you have just reset VLC I would not suspect this one.

2. Some games store information by changing settings on your video card so it would be smart to reset your video card to its defaults for Color, Direct3D, OpenGL and Overlay.

3. change resolutions of your video card. If you are at 1024x768 for example go to 800x600.

4. Change color depths of your video card. If you are at 32 bit color try 24 bit or 16 bit.

5. Try shutting off the video acceleration inside VLC. Settings, Preferences, Video, untick the "Overlay video output" box and save. Now close VLC and restart. Then try to call a file, within VLC.

6. As a last resort, try opening VLC Settings, Preferences, Video, Output Modules and using the pull down to select "Windows GDI video output". Then save, restart VLC and try to call a file.

Most of these things are tests to try to expose your problem. So it is suggested to put things back the way it was if it had no change to your problem. Also always call a file into VLC to rule out a possible Windows interface problem.

Sorry for sounding stupid, but how do you adjust settings on your video card? Where do you go?

The weird thing is, VLC was working beautifully till a couple of weeks ago and I don't remember doing anything strange or funny to my settings to change it :S

Also when you say restart, do you mean restart the computer or VLC?

Restart VLC when making changes to preferences.

Rebooting the machine after deleting the VLC preferences file is a good idea.

Resetting the video card is like kinda different, depending on the video cards utilities. Generally, right clicking on the desktop and selecting properties, settings, advanced will get you there.