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Can't play MP4 on Mac? Fix It Now in One Click!
Category: Repair Files
5 mins read
Question
When I tried to play MP4 on my Mac, I couldn't play it... Have you ever experienced that? At that time, I can't check the video I took, and I can't edit it, so I'm sure I'm depressed.
As for the reason why MP4 cannot be opened, if the file may be damaged in the first place, there may be a problem with the player used. This time, we will introduce in detail the reasons why MP4 cannot be played on Mac and how to fix it!
In this article:
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Part 1. Why Can't Play MP4 on Mac?
From here, I will explain the reasons why MP4 format videos cannot be played on Mac. Knowing this will help me deal with this issue again in the future.
1 Corrupted MP4 File
Most likely the MP4 file you are trying to play is corrupted. For example, if you remove the USB memory while transferring it from the USB memory to the Mac, the file may be damaged. Check if there is a connection problem or if you are doing something else during the transfer. (to the fastest MP4 repair method)
2 Outdated Version of QuickTime Player
Many people use QuickTime Player, which is standard on Mac, to play MP4. If the version of the software is old, it may not be possible to play the video. You can easily improve it by checking if the version is outdated and updating it.
2 QuickTime Player Not Compatible with MP4 file Codec
A codec is a program used to compress video files such as MP4. When playing MP4, the player cannot play without the program of this standard. This can also be fixed by installing a codec program.
Part 2．What to Do When MP4 Won't Play on Mac
Now that you know why MP4 won't play on Mac, let's take a look at the corresponding solutions.
Repair MP4 files with Professional Tools
01 iMyFone UltraRepair
If you suspect that the MP4 video file itself is corrupted and cannot be opened, you can turn to a professional repair iMyFone UltraRepair tool , a tool that specializes in repairing all broken MP4 videos. There are no complicated operations, and you can quickly repair MP4 not playing on Mac, so even people without repair expertise can use it easily.
iMyFone UltraRepair
- Support main video formats such as FLV, MOV, WMV, etc.
- Batch Repair Corrupted MP4 on Mac with high success rate.
- Easily solve different video related problems, such as MP4 no sound, black screen when watching videos.
- As the best video enhancer to make blurry videos clear.
- Freely convert videos to another format without charge, like MP4 to WMV.
Steps to Repair Unplayable MP4 on Mac with UltraRepair
Step 1: After downloading and launching the software, click the "Add Video" and select the MP4 that cannot be opened.
Step 2: Once done, you will be able to see the file name, size, length and resolution of the imported MP4 video. Click "Repair" to start the repair.
Step 3: A pop-up window will tell you that the video has been repaired successfully. Click "Save" to output a specific video or click "Save All" in the lower right corner to save everything.
This is the only way to fix MP4 files that cannot be played on Mac. Please check if you can open it later.
02 Update QuickTime Player
The latest version of QuickTime Player, which comes standard with Macs, ships with macOS. So, if the macOS is old, the version of QuickTime Player is also old, but there is often a problem that MP4 cannot be opened. If your macOS is outdated, update the system.
Steps to update macOS
Step 1: Move the cursor to the upper left corner of the screen and click the apple mark.
Step 2: Click About This Mac.
Step 3 Click "Software Update > Upgrade Now" to start the macOS update.
Try Playing the MP4 in Another Player
It is possible that QuickTime Player has a problem and MP4 cannot be played, so one solution is to try other players. Here are some video players that work on Mac.
01 VLC Media Player
It is a video playback software that supports not only Mac but also Windows. In addition to MP4, it supports video formats such as AVI, FLV, and WMV. It is also full of functions such as adjustment of image quality and sound quality, and the function of taking screenshots.
However, there are parts where the translation is lax, so please be aware that there are parts that are a little difficult to use.
02 5K Player
This is also video playback software that supports not only Mac but also Windows, and it is video playback software that supports up to 4K/5K/8K. In addition, you can also play audio like MP3. Since it also has an AirPlay reception function, it is possible to play streaming from the iPhone.
It's also easy to play MP4 with those players on Mac. Download it from the official website, install it and launch it. Just drag the MP4 into the software.
03 Convert MP4 to Other Video Formats
The last method is to convert MP4 to another video format. It is reported that it can be opened after conversion, but if you still can't solve the problem that MP4 can't be played on Mac, you can try it.
To convert video formats, it is common to use conversion or video editing software. As an easy-to-use tool, UltraRepair is your best choice to convert any videos for free .
If you want to know more about video formats, conversion methods, and conversion tools, please check the related articles below.
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Part 3．Frequently Asked Questions about MP4 Not Playing on Mac
Next, as supplementary information, I will summarize and answer frequently asked questions about the problem that MP4 cannot be played on Mac.
1 Does QuickTime Player support MP4 playback in the first place?
Yes. However, MP4 files are all made up of different video and audio codecs. If the MP4 file uses a codec that does not support QuickTime Player, the MP4 file cannot be opened.
In other words, QuickTime Player doesn't necessarily open MP4 files. By the way, this player supports most file formats such as MP4, M4V, M4A, MP3, AVI, WAV.
2 What are the most possible reasons why MP4 won't play on Mac?
File corruption is often the cause. For example, when transferring files from a USB or SD card to a computer, disconnecting the connection or removing the cord during transfer will damage the file. In addition, physical shock to the USB or SD card can also lead to file corruption. It is important to proceed properly about transferring and saving MP4.
3 How can I update my codecs to play MP4 files on my Mac?
To update your codecs on a Mac, you can download and install the Perian codec package or the Xvid codec.Conclusion
Here we have introduced the reasons why MP4 files cannot be played on macz and how to deal with them. I would appreciate it if you could solve this problem. Also, since file corruption is often the cause, we recommend file restoration with video restoration software! With an easy-to-understand screen configuration even for beginners, you can restore files in just 3 steps. Download it here and give it a try!
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