Many new Windows users feedback that they can't play some MP4 files on Window Media Center, why? We know the Windows Media Center is a powerful media player which can play multiple videos, MP4 is included, What's happening? From the Windows Media Center, we get the answer, only the latest version Windows Media Player 12 can support MP4 video files, like the below shows:
| File Extension | Windows Media Player 12 | Windows Media Player 11 | Windows Media Player 10 | Windows Media Player 12 | Windows Media Player 9 | Windows Media Player 7 |
| MP4 Video file (.mp4, .m4v, .mp4v, .3g2, .3gp2, .3gp, .3gpp) | Y | N | N | N | N | N |
| MP4 Audio file (.m4a) | Y | N | N | N | N | N |
So, we collect 3 methods for playing MP4 video on Windows Media Center:
Method 1. Upgrade Windows Media Player to the latest version
From above table, we know that the latest version Windows Media Player 12 can support MP4 video files. So, just upgrade your player to WMP 12. It probably would solve your issue. You can enter the Windows center the official website, download the latest version: Windows Media Player 12 and install it on your PC.
Method 2. Download and install video codec
Even though the MP4 files are not supported by Windows Media Player 11/10/9 by default, but the installation of new codecs can allow them to be played. Like the K-Lite codec pack which is a good option, you can run the installer or save it so that you can run it from your hard drive. You will be asked to close programs that might access codecs from the codec pack such as Windows Media Player and Internet Explorer; once installation has completed, you will be given the option to enable thumbnails for video files and to create file associations for Windows Media Player and other media players that you may have installed.
Tip: You may be prompted to reboot your computer at the end of the installation so that the codecs may be initialized upon Windows startup. Then you should be able to play MP4s in Windows Media Player without any further configuration.
Method 3. Convert MP4 with a MP4 Video Converter
From above information, even you can update the Window Media Center to the Windows Media Player 12, you still can't make sure you can play the MP4 well, because the MP4 is a video container which hold different video and audio codec, Windows Media Player only supports the limited MP4 videos. How to play any MP4 video on Windows Media Player? . Pavtube Video Converter Ultimate can satisfy you and provide you the best video service.
You can install this MP4 video converter on Windows and Mac well, including the latest Windows 10 and macOS High Sierra. This software allows you to import any videos, including the MP4, even you can import the DVD and Blu-ray disc and images to it. About the output video formats, I think the 300+ video formats are enough for you, like the AVI, WMV, MKV, FLV, HEVC, etc.
You also can keep the MP4 videos and adjust the video and audio codec, this MP4 video converter allows you to adjust video and audio codec, bitrate, frame rate, sample rate, etc. You just need to choose the parameters you want, you can input the data manually.
Quick Guide: Play Any MP4 Video on Windows Media Center
Step 1. Open this MP4 video converter and import the MP4 video you want to convert, you also can add a folder and do batch video conversion for saving much time and energy.
Step 2. Click the Format and select the Windows Media Center supported videos, you can choose the MPEG video from the Common Video or the HD Video, you also can choose other videos formats, there re 300+ videos at here which is enough for you.
You also can enter the Setting window and adjust the video parameters, like the below shows: Video and audio codec, bitrate, frame rate, sample rate, etc.
Step 3. Go back to the main interface and press the Convert button to start the video conversion/
You can get the desired videos or MP4 videos smoothly, then you can play video on Windows Media Center happily. Total 3 methods, you can choose one you like.
