MOV File Only Plays Audio? Here Are 3 Simple Fixes!

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Solution 1: Transcode MOV Files

Solution 2: Install Required Video Codec

Solution 3: Try Other Media Players

Why Does My MOV File Only Play Audio?

Q: "On some, but not all, of my .mov files, Movies & TV/WMP only plays audio. These are videos that I made on iPhone XS Max. Some of the videos have been edited on the phone. I downloaded QuickTime but got the same result (audio, but no video). Help is greatly appreciated."

A: Before answering this question, firstly, I would like to briefly introduce the MOV, a commonly-used video format in our daily life, such as post-production, digital camcorders, action cameras, drone videography, and more. MOV is actually just a video container that can store multiple different video codecs like H.264, HEVC, Cinepak, Apple ProRes, CineForm, etc.

And here's the point, once a certain video codec cannot be recognized by your media player, you'll inevitably run into MOV file only plays audio issue. So now that you have a more precise understanding about the root cause, next, I will introduce 3 simple solutions to troubleshooting the "MOV file only plays the audio portion of the video" issue.

Solution 1 - Transcode MOV Files

The direct method to fix MOV files no video only audio problem is transcoding the tough MOV files to some friendly video codecs like H.264. To save you from some industry-specific jargon, command-line scripts, and tricky operation, I strongly recommend WonderFox HD Video Converter Factory Pro to you guys, which offers a one-stop process to transcode MOV files to common formats supported by all your devices. Thanks to the rich built-in codecs and more than 500 configured presets, you won't be troubled by any video and audio format incompatibility issue.

Free downloadFree download the novice-oriented app, and follow the steps below to fix MOV files only playing sound problem.

Step 1 - Add MOV Files

Launch HD Video Converter Factory Pro and step into "Converter" module. Then, add your MOV files that only play audio by pressing "Add Files" button or a simple drag-and-drop.

Add Files to Fix MOV Files No Video Only Audio

Step 2 - Select an Export Format

To change video codec, click on the right-hand "Format" image to expand the full list of 500+ optimal presets. Switch over to "Video" category and choose "MOV" profile directly. It has been preset to H.264 video, which is compatible with almost all applications and devices. You can also choose your preferred profile or specific device as you wish.

Solve MOV File Only Playing Audio No Video by Transcoding

Step 3 - Start MOV Transcoding

Choose a destination folder on the bottom. Finally, hit "Run" button to start the conversion to fix MOV files no video only audio problem.

Tips. Before the process, you're entitled to modify the detailed parameters, such as video bitrate, resolution, frame rate, aspect ratio, deinterlacing, and whatever as you with. More surprisingly, this app even allows you to trim, split, crop, rotate, flip, watermark, merge MOV videos with ease.

Solution 2 - Install Required Video Codec

The MOV file only audio no video problem can be fixed by installing the missing video codec. As you know, however, regardless of the technical level, it's a demanding job to find and install a certain video codec, and it even involves privacy and security issues.

Therefore, you're recommended to install a reliable codec pack that rounds up all commonly-used video and audio codecs, so that you can avoid nearly all A/V playback issues on your Windows PC. Both K-Lite Codec Pack and Shark007's Advanced Codecs are worth a try because they still keep updating, here are the official download links:

K-Lite Codec Pack: https://www.codecguide.com/index.html

Advanced Codecs: https://shark007.net/index.html

Solution 3 - Try Other Media Players

You may have a high chance to address MOV files only playing sound problem by updating your media player or device firmware. But if it doesn't work, just give it another shot on some 3rd powerful media players, including VLC, PotPlayer, KMPlayer, GOM Player and the like. Among which, VLC is free and open source that can be installed on multiple operating systems and platforms. To its credit, it's powerful to play all major audio and video formats owing to its built-in VLC codecs.