VLC opens to logo with no way to operate the app?

[Sugarlander]

I downloaded the VLC app from the Chrome Web Store. I downloaded fine and I launched the app. The first time it asked to select a folder and I didn't see how to browse to where my media folder was on my network NAS. I accidentally closed VLC. When I opened it back up all it showed was a white screen with the VLC cone logo. There is no menu or anything that I can find to operate the app.

I uninstalled the app and then reinstalled it on the Chrome Web Store again and relaunded it. I got the same white screen with the logo and no way to operate the app.

How can I fix this?

Thanks in advance for the help.

[Lotesdelere]

Try this: Settings -> Apps -> VLC -> Storage
Then Clear Cache and Clear Data.

[Sugarlander]

Try this: Settings -> Apps -> VLC -> Storage
Then Clear Cache and Clear Data.

That worked! Thank you very much. It certainly was not obvious to me, Lotesdelere!

[Spike1]

This is a standard remedy in Android. When an app is in an impossible state (presumably because you "accidentally closed" it during a dialogue), you can often recover by forcing the app to "forget everything."

[davidsmartin]

I have the same problem on my Levova Duet Chromebook. When I try to follow the above advice, I open settings, apps and VLC, I do not see any options for storage. What am I missing?

[Spike1]

When I do this, I see a list with heading USAGE. The entries are Mobile data, Battery, Storage, and Memory. Tap Storage and a new screen appears with buttons CLEAR DATA and CLEAR CACHE. (Android 8, VLC 3.4.0.) PS—Same in Android 9.

[Davy]

Try this: Settings -> Apps -> VLC -> Storage
Then Clear Cache and Clear Data.

I am trying to install VLC for Chrome OS. I have followed the advice on the VLC site and found the extension on the Chrome Web Store. Installed fine but when launched it provides a white window with an VLC logo - but no menus. It does not ask me to specify a media storage location.

I am getting confused whether we are talking of an Android App or a Chrome browser extension.
Is the solution recommended above for Android? In Chrome OS, if I select settings>Apps>VLC there is no option to clear any cache.

[VLC_user007]

Try this: Settings -> Apps -> VLC -> Storage
Then Clear Cache and Clear Data.

I am trying to install VLC for Chrome OS. I have followed the advice on the VLC site and found the extension on the Chrome Web Store. Installed fine but when launched it provides a white window with an VLC logo - but no menus. It does not ask me to specify a media storage location.

I am getting confused whether we are talking of an Android App or a Chrome browser extension.
Is the solution recommended above for Android? In Chrome OS, if I select settings>Apps>VLC there is no option to clear any cache.

I have the exact same issue/problem as Davy. Can someone let us know how to fix this issue?

[evadedave]

I'm just curious about how old all your Chromebooks are. Since the VLC extension in the Chrome Web Store looks abandoned (last updated on 23 December 2015!), and since all Chromebooks released since 2019 (and many older ones as well) support Android apps natively, why not use the latest up-to-date VLC for Android instead?

Follow the instructions here if interested: Install Android apps on your Chromebook. Be sure to let other Chromebook users here know about your experience.

P.S. Query for the devs - if the extension is indeed abandoned then perhaps the Chrome OS page ought to be updated to recommend the Android version instead (for capable Chromebooks obviously), unless there's some specific reason not to?