Double click on media doesn't launch VLC

[Nick_Name]

Running VLC from PPA in Linux Mint 18.1 Cinnamon 64bit. (Why doesn't it let me copy paste the version number from the about dialogue?) 2.2.5
The issue:
Somehow VLC doesn't launch, even with files that have VLC associated with them for opening. However, I can launch VLC manually and navigate the open dialogue to the file, or just drag the media files intoo the window just fine.

[zcot]

If you right click the media file and select to open with other application, does it work after that, on that same file?

If you check into the "Mint settings" for the "Preferred applications" can you set it there?

what PPA are you using?

[Nick_Name]

Right click gives me Xplayer, Handbrake, SMplayer. They all work
VLC is preferred application for video files.
PPA is http://ppa.launchpad.net/videolan/stable-daily/ubuntu xenial main

[Rémi Denis-Courmont]

This is likely a problem with the PPA... you should contact the packager.

Otherwise, we need verbose logs.

[Nick_Name]

I removed this PPA from my system and downgraded to 2.2.2-5ubuntu0.16.04.1, problem still persists.

[zcot]

can you confirm vlc is preferred in /usr/share/applications/defaults.list

Other than that, if you “Open With” → “Other Application…” -Use as default, and it doesn't work, then maybe specifically set it to another player then set it back to vlc?

[Nick_Name]

I looked in /usr/share/applications/defaults.list, and there is no VLC.
However, it seems this file is completely out of touch with the preferences of my system. Totem and rythmbox are on this list, but both are not even installed.
I've switched the defaults around, and Xplayer works fine, but VLC doesn not. Xplayer also is nowhere to be found in the defaults.list
Replacing all occurrences of "totem" with "vlc" in the defaults.list doesn't change the behaviour.

[Rémi Denis-Courmont]

It's entirely possible that the master-daily PPA is broken. It's not actively maintained and therefore has been broken most of the time.

[Nick_Name]

As I wrote before, I purged VLC, removed that PPA and installed 2.2.2-5ubuntu0.16.04.1 from the regular repository.

[Rémi Denis-Courmont]

Try: vlc --reset-config --no-plugins-cache -vv

[Nick_Name]

tried vlc --reset-config --no-plugins-cache -vv, but issue persists. Anything else I could try?

[Rémi Denis-Courmont]

I'm still waiting for that verbose log.

[Nick_Name]

There is nothing in that verbose log of VLC when I double-click on a video file in nemo or choose "Open With VLC media player"

[Rémi Denis-Courmont]

We can't really help you finding the problem if you don't post the logs.

[Nick_Name]

Assuming you mean with "verbose logs" the Message window found under "Tools" set to verbosity to "2 (debug)" here is the output:
--- begin---

--- end ---
Which is: nothing. From that, I conclude, that VLC doesn't get the file from the system when double-clicking. So this issue must be somehow the system's fault. It's just that it only affects VLC, there is no other app that doesn't open when double-clicking on the associated file or using the "open with..."

[Nick_Name]

Found the problem:
There was a vlc.desktop file in ~/.local/share/applications. After deleting this one, VLC launches on double click on a movie.

[AlxCap83]

Hi Nick,
I have the same problem, but I wasn't able to locate the folder you mentioned (~/.local/share/applications)...
Could you please help me?
Thank you
Alessio