Solved How to make VLC the DEFAULT media player for mp4 files

In Windows 11 I can make VLC the default player for many files , but NOT mp4.. Mp4 is not listed.
In order to have VLC play mp4 files I have to use the "open with" option. When doing so there is no check box to make this the default player.

You should be able to right-click on an MP4 and choose the option to "Open with". Before you select VLC choose the option to always open that type of file with the selected program. Then select VLC.

Unfortunately there is no option to always open with that program. See attached.

As you can see going to Settings;Default Apps is no help either.

oldtraveler said:

As you can see going to Settings;Default Apps is no help either.

Click to expand...

I've found this type of problem common with Win 11, but I think it's the fault of 3rd party programs not updated to suit Win 11 default apps requirements.

I had the same problem with Daum Potplayer (altho this now works fine), VLC player (still) and also experienced this previously with Irfanview (image program) - when I used either programs' internal option to set it as the default program.

In the above post #3 and #4 options for Open with ... you have to
- Scroll down to Choose another app > More apps > scroll down to Look for another app
- navigate to the vlc installation folder and the vlc exe file in that folder
- make sure you tick the box to always use this app so you don't have to repeat these steps.

Thanks Idgat, but even carefully following your instructions above when I get to the VLC.EXE file in programs there STILL IS NO BOX TO TICK about always using this app.

My apologies, missed a step. On the screenshot you sent, select "choose another app" and then you should see that option.

oldtraveler said:

As you can see going to Settings;Default Apps is no help either.

Click to expand...

Have you manually scrolled through the list of extensions to see if .mp4 is there ?

Do you still have the Windows built-in defauly video file player installed?

(P.S> You might like to edit your above image and repost it with your name and email blurred out)

Don't select 'choose default by file type' just scroll down to VLC player and select,



then scroll down to .mp4

what @Fabler2 said...

Unfortunately Fabler2 and Scott there is no .mp4 listed. See attached.

Would it help to delete the apps - Media Player and Photos ?

Check for a VLC update and also this article,

Fabler2 said:

Check for a VLC update and also this article,

VLC Player Not Playing MP4 videos - Resolved

Know how to fix the VLC not playing MP4 video with simple DIY tricks and also repair your MP4 video if it is corrupt and unplayable.

www.remosoftware.com

Click to expand...

That seems to repair a bad video file. That is not my problem. mp4 files will play on vlc by using "open with".
VLC is up to date.

Is there possibly a regedit fix for this?

oldtraveler said:

That seems to repair a bad video file. That is not my problem. mp4 files will play on vlc by using "open with".
VLC is up to date.

Is there possibly a regedit fix for this?

Click to expand...

From that site,
" If you have tried downloading the latest version of the VLC media player but are still unable to play your MP4 files. You must consider installing the VLC MP4 codec pack from the official VLC site."
Otherwise I would try the old uninstall-reboot-and reinstall. I'm assuming the latest Media Player has no issues with .mp4.

oldtraveler said:

That seems to repair a bad video file. That is not my problem. mp4 files will play on vlc by using "open with".
VLC is up to date.

Is there possibly a regedit fix for this?

Click to expand...

Fabler2 said:

From that site,
" If you have tried downloading the latest version of the VLC media player but are still unable to play your MP4 files. You must consider installing the VLC MP4 codec pack from the official VLC site."
Otherwise I would try the old uninstall-reboot-and reinstall. I'm assuming the latest Media Player has no issues with .mp4.

Click to expand...

We don't seem to be uderstanding each other. As I stated above VLC which is up to date works with mp4 files. Also Media Player works with mp4 files. What I can't get to work is to cause VLC to be the DEFAULT media player for mp4 files.

mp4 files seem to open with Media Player. By choosing "open with" I can open them with VLC. Unfortuantely there is no check box to allow mp4 files to always open with VLC.
How can I get VLC to be the default player for mp4 files?

By the way I can not select .mp4 as a choice for default files in Settings

1. Uninstall VLC
2. Go to "C:\Users\YourUserName\AppData\Roaming", delete "vlc" folder
3. Reboot
4. Install VLC

I see all of the above suggestions and know they will not work ... been there, done that, got a cupboard full of the T-shirts !!

I'm suspecting the problem lies in the "incompatibility" between Windows 11 and VLC player (et al) to "take over" the default settings for a file type. As I indicated earlier, I've come across identical occurrences when using the installed program to set the default extensions (rather than changing it in Windows App settings) causes the associated extensions to "disappear" from windows apps settings. Once done, all is lost, no way to recover.
- Irfanview > used Irfanview to "claim" as the default program. as a consequence, lost all the jpg, png, bmp, etc extensions in the Default Apps settings
- Daum Potplayer > used DPP to "claim" as the default program. As a consequence, lost all the mp4, mkv, avi, etc extensions in the Default Apps settings

Some program work an absolute treat claiming the default extensions. Others ... not a hope.

Solution (well, mine anyway ... I don't have a life) : clean install > manually Settings > Apps > Default apps > etc.

@oldtraveler , on your 'open with' menu do you see 'choose another app'?

If VLC isn't on the list select 'More apps'. If it's still not on the list, scroll to the bottom and select 'Look for another app on this PC'

Browse to the VLC folder and select vlc.exe