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Identify the codecs in the video
- In Files, right-click the video and choose Properties.
- Open the Audio/Video or Video tab and note the listed audio and video codecs.
Ubuntu’s desktop help explains that different video formats require different codecs. The file extension alone does not tell you which codec support is missing.
Install the common codec package for Ubuntu
On stock Ubuntu, the familiar aggregate package is ubuntu-restricted-extras. Ubuntu Community Help recommends:
sudo apt-get install ubuntu-restricted-extrasUbuntu’s package archive lists ubuntu-restricted-extras for Ubuntu 24.04 LTS in the multiverse component and describes it as commonly used media codecs and fonts; it recommends libavcodec-extra. The archive also listed it for 22.04 LTS and 26.04 LTS when checked. See the Ubuntu 24.04 package entry. Before installing, confirm that the component is enabled and that the package is available for your own release.
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If you use a different Ubuntu flavor, the community wiki gives corresponding package names: kubuntu-restricted-extras, xubuntu-restricted-extras, and lubuntu-restricted-extras. Check the instructions for your flavor and release rather than assuming the stock Ubuntu package route applies unchanged; see Ubuntu’s Restricted Formats guidance.
Try another player before adding more packages
If the desktop player still cannot open the video, retry it in VLC. Ubuntu’s help recommends VLC because it supports many formats and may handle a file the existing player cannot. If the video opens there, the problem may be specific to the original player or its available codec support.
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When GStreamer plugins are relevant
Some applications use the GStreamer multimedia framework. For those applications, the missing support may be addressed by the relevant plugin package rather than by installing packages indiscriminately. Upstream’s Linux installation documentation lists Ubuntu/Debian packages including gstreamer1.0-plugins-good, gstreamer1.0-plugins-bad, gstreamer1.0-plugins-ugly, and gstreamer1.0-libav.
These are framework components, not a guaranteed one-command fix for every player or codec. Identify the application and the codec it needs before choosing additional packages; the upstream installation command also includes development packages and is broader than a typical playback-only fix.
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If playback still fails
If VLC and the existing player both fail, more codecs may not be the answer. Ubuntu’s troubleshooting guidance lists a damaged file, a player problem, or an incorrect encode as other possible causes. Compare the video with another known-good file; if practical, copy the source file again and retry. These checks can help distinguish a file-specific failure from a system-wide playback issue.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Commercial DVDs need separate handling
DVD playback and decryption are separate from ordinary MP4 or MKV codec support. Ubuntu says DVD playback is not available by default for legal and technical reasons. Its dedicated DVD guidance lists packages including libdvdnav4, libdvdread8, gstreamer1.0-plugins-bad, gstreamer1.0-plugins-ugly, and libdvd-pkg. Decryption software may be subject to legal limits that vary by country, so check the rules where you live before using it.
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