3 Solutions to Windows Media Player Not Play .flv File Issue

"I'm a Windows user. I recently downloaded an instructional video from YouTube that was in .flv format. When I tried to play it on Windows Media Player, it prompted that the video file has a .flv extension that is not recognized. Windows Media Player then asked me if I still want to play the file and when I clicked yes, an error message popped up saying file type or codec may not be recognized by the player. Can WMP play FLV files? How can I play FLV on Windows Media Player?"

The FLV format was designed to share video clips over the Internet. This popular video format is the standard for major video sharing platforms such as YouTube, Metacafe, Vevo and more, so if you download a video from the internet, it is likely it is in the.FLV format. In spite of its growing popularity, however, FLV is not supported by most mobile devices and, even if you want to play FLV video on your PC, you would still have to search online for suitable codecs and properly install them. In this article, we'll share 3 useful solutions to help you open and play FLV files on Windows Media Player.

• Method 1. Install an .FLV Codec
• Method 2. Convert FLV files to Windows Media Player-supported Format
• Method 3. Play FLV Videos with VLC

Method 1. Install an.FLV Codec

Window Media Player uses codecs to play media files. A codec is a computer program capable of encoding or decoding a digital data stream or signal. While codecs of many formats are inbuilt in WMP, the codec of FLV (Flash Video) needs to be downloaded and installed by the user to play files. The process of installing a codec is relatively simple and can also be applied to add or install other codecs to WMP as well. After successfully installing the codec, you will be able to smoothly run files with .flv extension on WMP.

Installing .flv codecs, however, may not be for everyone and this method does not come without its drawbacks. If you don't know where to look, suitable codecs may be hard to find and if you're not computer savvy (like most of us are), you might end up installing malware and trojans that'll put sensitive data on your PC at risk.

Method 2. Convert FLV files to Windows Media Player-supported Format

The ideal solution to this problem is to convert FLV files to more popular video formats like AVI, WMV, MKV, etc. To complete the conversion from FLV to a Windows Media Player format, you will need a powerful and professional program like Wondershare UniConverter, which helps you convert video formats quickly and with high quality.

Wondershare UniConverter

Your Complete Video Toolbox

• Convert FLV to 1000+ formats, like AVI, MKV, MOV, MP4, etc.
• Convert video for mobile devices, like iPhone, iPad, Android devices, and more.
• 30X faster conversion speed than any conventional converters.
• Edit, enhance & personalize your videos file.
• Download/record videos from 10000+ video sharing sites.
• Versatile toolbox combines fix video metadata, GIF maker, VR converter, and screen recorder.
• Supported OS: Windows 10/8/7, Mac OS 10.15 (Catalina), 10.14, 10.13, 10.12, 10.11 (El Capitan), 10.10, 10.9, 10.8, 10.7, 10.6.

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With this all-purpose converter, simply select the format you want from the extensive list of supported options and your files will be ready in seconds. You can convert FLV to 1000+ output file formats for Apple handhelds, Zune, Apple TV, Android, PSP, PS4, Blackberry, Xbox One, and many more.

How to Convert FLV to WMV with 3 Simple Steps

This guide will show you how to quickly and easily convert .flv files to .wmv using Wondershare UniConverter. First, open the program. If you don't already have it, you can download it here (via the download button above).

Step 1 Import FLV files.

Directly drag and drop FLV file that you want to play in WMP from your device or videos folder to the main interface, or click the to add your desired FLV video.

Step 2 Choose WMV as output format.

Click the to to expand output format list, then choose Video > WMV > select resolution in the right.

Note: Wondershare UniConverter also contains presets optimized for conversion but feel free to manually customize your conversion output details.

Step 3 Convert FLV to WMV.

When you are ready to start converting FLV to WMV, click the Start All on the bottom right to proceed.

Method 3. Play FLV Videos with VLC

Another alternative way to play FLV files on Windows Media Player is to use the VideoLAN program, also known as VLC. The VLC media player comes pre-installed with a ton of audio and video codecs. This option serves as an alternative to use the WMP which needs to be manually upgraded and tweaked in order to play FLV and other file types.