Fix VLC Not Playing HEVC/H.265 Codec Videos

Q: "I have installed the VLC 2.2.0 version, which claimes to have H.265/HEVC support. When I import H.265/HEVC videos in VLC, I hear the audio is playing, but the video freezes at the first frame. Anybody knows why and how to fix?"

VLC is a free and easy-to-use video player that can play various video formats as well as DVDs, Audio CDs, VCDs, and various streaming protocols. However, when surfing online, there're still lots of VLC and HEVC playback issues like: VLC can't play the video format in H.265/HEVC; VLC plays HEVC/H.265 files no video, only audio playing, etc. So, in this article, we will share three positive ways to fix VLC not playing HEVC/H.265 codec videos. Read on for more details.

Solution 1. Install libde265 in VLC

When you try to import H.265/HEVC video to VLC, you may get error message like "No suitable decoder module: VLC does not support the audio or video format "hevc". Unfortunately there's no way for you to fix this."

To fix this we need to install libde265, which is an open source implementation of the h.265 video codec.We will install libde265 via PPA. To install open Terminal and run the commands below:

sudo apt-add-repository ppa:strukturag/libde265

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install vlc-plugin-libde265

VLC should now play these media files after installation has been completed successfully.

Solution 2. Upgrade VLC to VLC 3.0.0 Nightly build

Several issues that existed in previous versions of VLC might be fixed via VLC 3.0.0 nightly build.

And set it to use DXVA:
Tools -> Preferences -> Video
Output = Automatic

Tools -> Preferences -> Input/Codecs
Hardware accelerated decoding = DXVA 2.0

Then save, exit and restart VLC. Now it will work pretty fine with a 8K/4K HEVC video.

Solution 3. Find Best VLC Alternative

The third solution for you is to find a good H.265/HEVC Video Player and best VLC alternative to play H.265/HEVC videos. Here, Brorsoft Player is the all-in-one and best H.265/HEVC video player with recording fuction for your Windows PC and Mac. It supports 4K Ultra-HD and HEVC/H.265 Videos perfectly, you don't need to download extra codec (encoder or decoder) or a plug-in, and play 4K/8K/HD MKV, MP4, MOV, AVI, etc videos encoded with  H.264, H.265, MPEG-4 on PC/Mac smoothly. What's more, this prefect video player also supports Blu-ray/DVD discs playback in any region without hassle.

Get sharper, vivid effect to play 4K H.265/HEVC videos on PC/Mac. 

Play 4K/1080P Blu-ray/DVD discs in high definition with DTS-HD Master Audio or Dolby TrueHD. 

Select any period of times and make animated GIF file for sharing to have more fun.  

Take snapshot of the shining moment of your movies.  

Record what's happening on the screen as a straightforward video. It saves time and is quite effective.

Add a bookmark of the video for watching later or return to recent viewed point as you like.

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