Configuration Tips for the K-Lite Codec Pack (2024)

The latest version of the K-Lite Codec Pack is:

18.5.5 - Normal installer (2024-09-02)

18.5.5 - Cumulative update pack (2024-09-02)

18.5.3 - BETA installer (2024-08-31)

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Fix playback issues with MP4/MOV/MKV/M2TS files. For example broken audio, video, or missing subtitles.

Solutions:

  1. On Windows 10/11 you can install some additional Media Foundation codecs for WMP. This will allow you to play some additional video formats, such as HEVC and VP9.
  2. Rename your file from so it has extension .video instead of .mp4/.mkv
    This forces WMP to use the DirectShow codecs from K-Lite instead of the Media Foundation codecs from Windows. The codecs from K-Lite work better than the ones from Windows. This solution should allow you to play everything, including subtitles.
  3. Codec Tweak Tool > Media Foundation > disable for .mkv or .mp4
    This will also force WMP to use DirectShow codecs. Warning: This tweak will break playback of such files in applications that require Media Foundation. Games and web browsers often need Media Foundation, so we strongly advice against using this solution. Please read the help file in the Codec Tweak Tool.
  4. Use Media Player Classic (MPC-HC) player from K-Lite instead of WMP. This player is superior to WMP. MPC-HC can play everything, and supports subtitles. We highly recommend using our MPC-HC.

These are videos with a wider color range than normal.

First of all you need to use a player that supports HDR video. We recommend using MPC-HC player that is included with from K-Lite. WMP does not support HDR.

You also need to use a video renderer that supports HDR. The K-Lite Codec Pack contains two renderers that are compatible with HDR: MPC Video Renderer and madVR. You can choose the renderer that MPC-HC uses during installation of the codec pack, or here after install:
MPC-HC options > Playback > Output > Video Renderer

MPC Video Renderer is easier to use and works better with lower-end GPUs. MadVR has more advanced settings, but can be difficult to configure properly.

Playback of UltraHD HDR videos requires modern hardware, with a graphics card (GPU) that supports hardware accelered decoding of 10-bit HEVC video.

MPC Video Renderer also supports Dolby Vision (DoVi) (profiles 5/8.1/8.4 only).

If you are using madVR on Windows 11 and HDR fails to turn on properly, then that could be due to a bug in madVR. You should see devices getting duplicated in its settings when this is the cause. You can fix this by downloading the latest madVR test build (v205 or newer). Overwrite the madVR files installed by the codec pack. Besides this bug fix, the only difference in the test builds are extra HDR tonemapping settings (all experimental). The test build also expires after a few months. It shows a warning when you need to update it.

Audio isn't working in MPC-HC

Change the audio renderer:
MPC-HC options > Playback > Output

If volume is very low:

  1. Codec Tweak Tool > Fixes > Reset Windows Audio Mixer volume
  2. Codec Tweak Tool > Audio Output > "Windows Sound Settings" > Select correct speaker configuration
    If voices are too quiet, then usually Stereo is correct choice, along with the boost center option.
  3. MPC-HC options > Internal Filters > Audio Switcher > Enable "Normalize"

Solutions for stuttering, crackling, drop outs, and lip sync issues:

  1. First check CPU usage during playback. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Windows Task Manager. If CPU usage is close to 100% then your computer might not be powerful enough to play high resolution videos. Visit our forum for advice.
  2. Disable fast startup in Windows 10: Windows Control Panel > Power Options > "Choose what the power buttons do" > uncheck "Turn on fast startup"
  3. Windows Control Panel > Sound > Speakers > Properties > Enhancements > Disable all sound effects
  4. Windows Control Panel > Sound > Speakers > Properties > Advanced > disable the two "Exclusive mode" options
    You should keep these options enabled if you want to bitstream audio to a receiver.
  5. On laptops: Windows Control Panel > Power Options > select "High performance" power plan. If this works, then increasing the value of "Minimum processor state" in the other power plans may also solve it.
  6. Update your sound driver. Many computers have Realtek audio chip: latest Realtek driver (use generic one). You can also use the generic "High Definition Audio Driver" from Microsoft.
  7. Use Latency Monitor to check if you have any driver installed that cause high DPC latency. Such drivers should be replaced with a newer (or older) version.
  8. If you have overclocked your CPU, then reset to stock speed and voltage settings, and test if that makes any difference.
  9. If you have an Intel CPU, the use InSpectre tool to disable the Meltdown/Spectre protections. These have a negative impact on performance and increase latency. It does not matter much for security since most modern web browsers already provide protection against these processor flaws.
  10. If you are running virtual machines using Hyper-V, then closing the VMs might solve audio stuttering.
  11. Antivirus software can sometimes also cause DPC latency, for example when they monitor network activity. Try removing it and just use the built-in scanner from Windows 10.
  12. Check if a BIOS update is available for your motherboard.

Fix stuttering or bad video playback performance with NVIDIA drivers

NVIDIA control panel > Manage 3D settings > Vertical Sync > On

NVIDIA control panel > Manage 3D settings > Global Settings > Power Management Mode > Select Adaptive (instead of the default value Optimal)

In some cases the Adaptive/Optimal choices are unavailable, and a Normal choice is used instead. You don't need to make any change in that situation.

Washed out video with AMD 5000 and 6000 series GPUs

Enable "Use Direct3D 11" in the settings of MPC Video Renderer.

Fix screen tearing and/or video stuttering with AMD drivers

You need to disable Enhanced Sync and Freesync in the AMD driver settings. Proper video playback requires a constant refresh rate. You can either disable these features globally in the driver settings, or you can create an application profile for MPC-HC and disable them there.

To add an application profile:
AMD settings > Gaming > Add > Browse > "C:\Program Files (x86)\K-Lite Codec Pack\MPC-HC64\mpc-hc64.exe"

Video is black for a few seconds at start of playback

This may happen due to the Focus Assist feature of Windows 10 Build 1803. You can fix it by completely turning off Focus Assist, including its automatic rules.

Stuttering with NVIDIA RTX cards

madVR settings > rendering > exclusive mode > "how many frame shall be presented in advance" = 1

Make same change for windowed mode.

Also read the graphics driver tweaks above.

It is really important that you reports any problems that you may have. The developers of the various codecs can only fix problems if they know they exist. Don't expect others to have the same problems as you. Bugs often only occur with specific combinations of player/settings/hardware/drivers, or only with specific files.

You can report bugs on our forum. The experts there will help diagnose your problem and can often provide you with a direct solution or forward the information to the developers if something needs to be fixed.

If you got a suggestion then please submit it on our forum so we can give proper feedback. It often happens that the requested functionality is already available. We can teach you where to find those options.

Submit the details on our forum. We might be able to add support for that format in a future version. For example, if VLC is capable of playing the file, then we can usually make it work rather easily.

Configuration Tips for the K-Lite Codec Pack (2024)

FAQs

How to configure K-Lite Codec Pack? ›

Tips for Windows Media Player
  1. On Windows 10/11 you can install some additional Media Foundation codecs for WMP. ...
  2. Rename your file from so it has extension .video instead of .mp4/.mkv. ...
  3. Codec Tweak Tool > Media Foundation > disable for .mkv or .mp4. ...
  4. Use Media Player Classic (MPC-HC) player from K-Lite instead of WMP.

Is the K-Lite Codec Pack good? ›

3 beta reviews. I have been using this for well over a decade, I have recommended it to hundreds of customers of the company I work for, neither I or any of these people have ever encountered an issue with it, always works like a charm. That speaks for itself.

Should I uninstall the K-Lite Codec Pack? ›

These are the main reasons why K-Lite Codec Pack is uninstalled by users: The program is not compatible with other installed applications. The program crashes or hangs periodically/frequently. The program is not as good as the user expected.

How to install K-Lite Codec Pack for windows 10? ›

Download K-Lite to allow unknown file formats to play in those programs.
  1. Click here to download K-Lite Codec Pack.
  2. Run the downloaded file to start the installation.
  3. Leave all options default and continue to click Next.
  4. Once you arrive at the page below, make sure all Media Players are check-marked and click Next.

What is K-Lite Codec Pack standard? ›

The K-Lite Codec Pack is a collection of audio and video codecs for Microsoft Windows DirectShow that enables an operating system and its software to play various audio and video formats generally not supported by the operating system itself.

What is the most complete codec pack? ›

K-Lite Codec Pack is a comprehensive selection of codecs which guarantees that you will be able to play almost any video or audio file.

Which codec is best for performance? ›

As of 2023, AV1 is recognized as the best video codec in terms of video quality, offering comparable visual quality to H. 265 while consuming 12% less data. This efficiency makes it highly suitable for modern video streaming demands.

What is the best music codec for Android? ›

This depends on your source device. iOS devices will fair best with AAC, while Android devices will do well with aptX or aptX LL.

What is the best codec for 4K? ›

H. 264, for instance, is the most widely supported codec — making it your best bet for reaching users across every device. Meanwhile, H. 265 is a better option for 4K streaming due to its support for high-resolution video.

Does VLC need K-Lite Codec Pack? ›

VLC usually cannot access any codecs that are not built-in inside VLC. So such codec packs like K-Lite cannot improve/harm the performance and abilities of VLC.

Is the K-Lite Codec Pack safe in 2024? ›

Yes, K-Lite Codec Pack (Full) is a 100% safe program.

Can I delete a K-Lite Codec Pack? ›

Method 2: Uninstall K-Lite Mega Codec Pack via Apps and Features/Programs and Features. Look for K-Lite Mega Codec Pack in the list and click on it. The next step is to click on uninstall, so you can initiate the uninstallation.

Is a K-Lite Codec Pack necessary? ›

Some people still use things like K-Like because they provide other things that make the audio and video quality better than what is built into MPC-HC by default though. Personally, I can't tell the difference. every so often you might need them for an old pc game but just for video vlc usually is enough.

Which codec is best for Windows 10? ›

A Complete List of the Best Video Codec Packs for Windows 10/11 to Play All Formats
  1. VLC Media Player: The Modern Legend. ...
  2. K-Lite Video Codec Packs for Windows: The Complete Pack. ...
  3. CyberLink Power DVD: Home Entertainment Suite. ...
  4. WinX HD Video Converter Deluxe: Video Player and Converter.
Feb 5, 2024

Is codec pack safe? ›

There are known compatibility issues with some of the components in these codec packs, and these can trigger serious playback problems in Windows Media Player and other players, cause system corruption, and make it difficult for Microsoft Support to diagnose and troubleshoot playback issues.

How to open k-lite codec? ›

To get into the advanced tools of K-Lite click on Start>All Programs>K-Lite Codec Pack>Configuration>ffdshow video decoder. This will open up part of the K-Lite pack that allows you to turn on and off certain portions of codecs. There is only one change that you might need to make if you have issues with DVD playback.

What is K-Lite Mega codec pack Windows 10? ›

K-Lite Codec Pack (Mega) is one of the most complete and up-to-date codec packages for both video and audio. Thanks to this package, especially in this Mega version, you can play any movie or audio file stored on your PC hard drive.

Is K-Lite Codec Pack free for commercial use? ›

In some cases the use of K-Lite Codec Pack can be denied due to a conflict between a component's license status and specific legislation. However, the codec pack itself is completely freeware and does not require any additional license. A collection of DirectShow filters and VFW/ACM codecs.

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