VLC Media Player Won’t Start? Learn How to Restart It Now

VLC Media Player is one of the most popular and widely used media players around the world, known for its ability to play a wide range of audio and video formats. However, like any other software, it’s not immune to glitches and errors. If your VLC Media Player is not starting or crashing frequently, this article will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to troubleshoot and restart it.

Common Causes of VLC Media Player Not Starting

Before we dive into the solutions, let’s cover some common causes of VLC Media Player not starting:

  1. Corrupted installation: A faulty installation or updates can cause VLC Media Player to crash or not start at all.
  2. Outdated version: Using an outdated version of VLC Media Player can lead to compatibility issues and errors.
  3. Library or settings issues: Problems with your media library or settings can cause VLC Media Player to fail to start.
  4. System resource issues: Insufficient system resources, such as memory or CPU, can prevent VLC Media Player from launching.
  5. Conflict with other software: Conflicting software or apps can interfere with VLC Media Player’s operation.

Step-by-Step Guide to Restarting VLC Media Player

To troubleshoot and restart VLC Media Player, follow these steps:

Step 1: Close and Restart

  1. Close any instances of VLC Media Player that are currently running.
  2. Restart your computer/laptop to clear any potential system resource issues.

Step 2: Check for Updates

  1. Open VLC Media Player and go to Help > About VLC.
  2. Check for any available updates. If an update is available, download and install it to ensure you have the latest version.

Step 3: Reset VLC Settings

  1. Open VLC Media Player and go to Tools > Preferences.
  2. Click on the "Reset preferences" button at the bottom left corner.
  3. Confirm that you want to reset settings to their default values.

Step 4: Check Media Library and Settings

  1. Open VLC Media Player and go to Media > Convert/Save.
  2. Check if the media library is empty or corrupted. If so, try rebuilding the library by deleting the existing library files and letting VLC rebuild them.
  3. Review your settings and preferences, especially the playback settings, to ensure they are not interfering with the player’s operation.

Step 5: Disable and Re-enable Extensions and Plugins

  1. Open VLC Media Player and go to Tools > Preferences.
  2. Click on the "Blur-enhancements" tab.
  3. Disable any extensions or plugins that you don’t frequently use.
  4. Re-enable them one by one to identify which one is causing the issue.

Step 6: Disable System Resource-Intensive Applications

  1. Check for any system resource-intensive applications that may be interfering with VLC Media Player.
  2. Close or pause these applications to free up system resources.
  3. Try restarting VLC Media Player to see if it starts successfully.

Final Check: Clear Temporary Files

  1. Open VLC Media Player and go to Tools > Preferences.
  2. Click on the "Save as" button at the bottom left corner.
  3. Clear any temporary files, such as cache, cookies, and history, to ensure a clean profile.

By following these steps, you should be able to troubleshoot and restart your VLC Media Player, resolving any issues that were preventing it from starting. If you still encounter problems, it’s always a good idea to seek help from the VLC Media Player community or online forums for additional support.

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