Free Download and Install MKV Codecs for Windows Media Player

MKV files can contain different a/v codecs including HEVC, AV1, VP9, H.264, MPEG-4, DTS, AC3, etc. You can check the codecs of your MKV video and install the exact missing MKV codecs for Windows Media Player. While Microsoft Store provides some MKV codec extensions such as HEVC, AV1, and VP9, for some others you need to download them through external sources. However, we recommend that you download an MKV Codec Pack, which gives you all the common codecs you need for MKV playback in one place. The codec packs below contain a comprehensive library of MKV codecs that you can download and add to Windows Media Player for free. Read on to learn more.

You can add MKV codecs to Windows Media Player from the codec packs below.

K-Lite Codec Pack is a renowned codec pack that includes all the essential decoders for common video playback. It has four variants – Basic, Standard, Full, and Mega. For average users, the Standard K-Lite is recommended as it contains all the basic codecs for MKV plus a free media player MPC-HC that can work as a secondary media player if Windows Media Player fails to open certain MKV files.

How to Download MKV Codecs from K-Lite Codec Pack?

1. Go to https://codecguide.com/download_kl.htm and download the Standard K-Lite Codec Pack.

2. Click the downloaded .exe file to run the installer.

3. Select the Normal installation mode.

4. Choose Windows Media Player as the preferred video and audio player.

5. Click Next in the following prompts.

6. Complete the installation.

Now, you have installed MKV codecs for Windows Media Player. Open your MKV file in Windows Media Player and see if it plays.

Media Player Codec Pack is another free software that can install the major multimedia codecs, filters, plugins and splitters for your media player to play all sorts of media files. It also provides MKV decoders that can be used to decode and play MKV files effectively. Like K-Lite Codec Pack, this program comes with three editions, among which the Standard Codec Pack is recommended for regular users.

How to Download MKV Codecs from Media Player Codec Pack?

1. Go to https://www.mediaplayercodecpack.com/standard/ and download Media Player Codec Pack for your Windows.

2. Click the downloaded .exe file to run the installer.

3. Choose the Easy Installation mode and click Next.

4. Follow the prompts to finish the setup. Note that there may be adware during the setup process. Make sure that you decline the adware to avoid any risks.

Now the MKV codecs are automatically added to your Windows Media Player. You should be able to play the MKV files in Windows Media Player without any issues.

The Combined Community Codec Pack or CCCP also provides a useful set of codecs for playing common and uncommon media files such as MKV, MOV, MP4, MTS and various other video files. It is recommended that you use CCCP together with its included 321 Media Player Classic, which can help you play media files when Windows Media Player cannot.

How to Download MKV Codecs from CCCP?

1. Go to https://download.cnet.com/Combined-Community-Codec-Pack/3000-2139_4-10966585.html and download the CCCP.

2. Click the downloaded .exe file to run the installer.

3. Click Next.

4. Choose an installation directory and click Next.

5. Select components to be installed. By default, an additional media player MPC-HC is selected. If you don’t like the media player, you can uncheck the option and click Next to continue.

6. Keep the default settings and finish the installation.

Now, open your MKV file in Windows Media Player and see if it works.

Whenever you encounter an unsupported video file, converting the video file type is always a good fix. If you fear that the codec pack could mess up your computer system or the installed MKV codec doesn't work, you can try converting MKV files for Windows Media Player with a simple video converter.

WonderFox Free HD Video Converter Factory is one of the best MKV converters that can easily convert MKV files to major formats like MP4, WMV, MOV, AVI, and so forth. It can also change MKV codec to MPEG-4, H.264, and other codecs supported by Windows Media Player. As the cherry on top, you can directly play MKV files with its built-in media player. The software is available for free on all Windows versions and is easy to use. Let’s see how to convert MKV files for Windows Media Player using this software.

Step 1. Free download and install Free download and install WonderFox Free HD Video Converter Factory to your PC.

Step 2. Open the software and click Converter.

Step 3. In the Converter interface, click Add Files to import your unplayable MKV file(s) into the conversion list.

Step 4. Unfold the output format page and go to the Video format section. Then select a Windows Media Player compatible format such as MP4, WMV, or H264. If you are using Windows Media Player 12 or Windows 11 Media Player, you can also keep the MKV format.

Step 5. Open Parameter settings and change the video encoder to H264, MPEG-4, or other WMP-supported codecs. Next, change the audio encoder to AAC. If your video is 4K resolution, you can also downscale 4K to 1080P to ensure smooth video playback on your PC. Then click OK to save the settings.

Step 6. Click the ▼ button to set an output path. Finally, press Run to convert MKV files for Windows Media Player. Now, you should be able to play the converted MKV file in Windows Media Player with no problem.

Tips. With the same program, you can also fix other video and audio incompatibilities on Windows, TV, mobile phones, etc. through easy format and codec conversion. Download the freeware and have a try:

Here are two more solutions you can try to play MKV on Windows 7, 8, 8.1, or play MKV on Windows 10 and 11.

The latest version of Windows Media Player (Windows Media Player 12 and Windows 11 Media Player) on Windows 10 and 11 finally support MKV format and can play MKV files encoded with H.264 and MPEG-4 out of the box. If you are running Windows 7, 8, or 8.1, you can upgrade your system to Windows 10 and 11 which include the new WMP natively. Or you can manually update your Windows Media Player to the latest version with the following steps:

• Click the Start button on your Windows desktop. Then type features and select Turn Windows features on or off.

• Unfold Media Features and uncheck the box before Windows Media Player.

• Click OK and restart your PC to remove your current version of Windows Media Player.

• Next, repeat step 1.

• Navigate to Media Features and then check Windows Media Player.

• Click OK and then restart your PC to install the latest version of Windows Media Player.

*Keep in mind that MKV files encoded with other codecs such as HEVC and AV1 still require the corresponding MKV codecs to be installed.

Windows Media Player is not the only solution to play MKV files. Many excellent MKV players can help you play MKV files on Windows without you downloading additional MKV codecs. Here are some of the best MKV players you can try:

• VLC media player

• PotPlayer

• KMPlayer

• Media Player Classic

MKV is a multimedia container format that can hold video and audio data encoded through different codecs. It’s common to see that Windows Media Player fails to play MKV files and you may experience errors like Windows Media Player plays no video only audio, MKV file no sound, 0xc00d3e8c code error, 0xc00d5212 code error, etc. This is because of unsupported MKV codecs – Windows Media Player does not have the codec needed for every MKV playback. The good news is, you can install an MKV codec pack for Windows Media Player to enable the MKV video playback. In addition, you can quickly convert MKV to Windows Media Player for easy access. But the most convenient solution would be using an alternative media player to play MKV files.

Now we have shown you how to solve the Windows Media Player MKV codec issue and we hope that you can find this article helpful. Thank you for reading till the end. Have a wonderful day!

You can add MKV codecs such as HEVC, VP9, and AV1 to Windows Media Player from the Microsoft Store. But if you don't know what MKV codec you need, you can download the MKV Codec Pack for Windows Media Player. Such codec packs include K-Lite Codec Pack, Media Player Codec Pack, etc. All common MKV codecs are automatically added to Windows Media Player by installing the codec pack.

Windows Media Player does not natively support MKV files, and you need to install the MKV codec to play your MKV files. Alternatively, you can convert the MKV file to a WMP-friendly format or use a different media player.

Note: Windows Media Player 12 and Windows 11 Media Player have added support for the MKV format, but also require additional MKV codecs to play certain MKV files.

VLC media player is considered the best MKV player for Windows that can play MKV files with ease. Other free and good players for MKV files include Windows Media Player, Media Player Classic, MPlayer, etc.