Tips to open MPEG4 file

Can't open the MPEG4 file? You are not the only one. Thousands of users face similar problems every day. Below you will find tips on how to open MPEG4 files as well as a list of programs that support MPEG4 files.

MPEG4 file extension

File Name MPEG-4 Format
File Category Video Files

The MPEG4 file is supported on 4 operating systems. Depending on your operating system, you may need different software to handle the MPEG4 files. Below is a summary of the number of programs that support and open the MPEG4 file on each system platform.

Operating systems
  • 4
  • 2
  • 1
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0

What is MPEG4 file?

The .MPEG4 file is a video file. Commonly found in the form of .MP4. May contain high-quality video or audio material. Files of this type are often used when placing videos on websites or streaming services. The video and audio quality depends on the codec used. In most cases, the file should run without the need to install any additional software, regardless of the operating system. The file format is described in the specification with the same name.

How to open MPEG4 file?

An often recurring problem with MPEG-4 Format is that MPEG4 is not associated with the correct program file. Thus, when you open MPEG4, the program selection wizard or some other program starts. This can be quickly resolved by following the instructions below.

The first thing you should do is just "doubleclick" on the MPEG4 file icon you want to open. If the operating system has an appropriate application to support it and there is also an association between the file and the program, the file should be opened.

Step 1. Install QuickTime Player

An often overlooked issue is to make sure that QuickTime Player is installed on the computer. The easiest method is to use the system search engine by entering the program name QuickTime Player in it. If it is not, installation may solve the problem, as most applications create file associations during installation. Below is a list of programs that support the file MPEG4.

Programs to open MPEG4 file

Remember to download programs supporting MPEG4 files only from verified and safe sources. We suggest using the websites of software developers.

Step 2. Create association of QuickTime Player with MPEG4 files

If, despite the installed application, the MPEG4 file does not start in the QuickTime Player application, you must create a file association. The association can be created using the drop-down list available by right-clicking on the file and selecting Properties. Information about the file and the program that the file is associated with are available here. Changes can be made using the "Change" button. The program should be visible in the window, otherwise it should be selected manually using the "Browse" button and the program installation directory should be indicated. However, it is important to check the "Always use the selected program ..." box, this will allow you to permanently associate the MPEG4 file with the QuickTime Player application.

Step 3. Update QuickTime Player to the latest version

If, however, after binding QuickTime Player with MPEG-4 Format there were still problems, you should update the program to the latest version. In this case, use the Apple, Inc. website or update the program from the application.

Step 4. Check for the following problems with the MPEG4 file

The problem may also be with the file itself if the above steps don't work. This could be due to the file itself, the cleanest issues are:

The MPEG4 file may be unusually small compared to the original file. Usually this applies to MPEG4 files downloaded from the Internet in case the download did not finish properly. The file should be downloaded again, making sure that the process has finished correctly.
The most common cause here is computer viruses. A virus scan using an up-to-date antivirus program should fix the problem. If this is not possible, you can use the online scanner. However, it is important to scan the entire system, not only the file MPEG4 or the program directory. However, remember that not every infected MPEG4 file can be recovered, so it is important to take care of regular backups.
A typical compatibility error - the program does not support the older version of the MPEG4 file. These problems are known and are often very easy to fix using the software developers's website.
The file may be corrupted in a number of ways. Repairing is very dependent on the file type. Sometimes the program itself has options to repair the most popular MPEG4 file corruption. The easiest way to restore the file is from a backup or by contacting N/A, but this one can be expensive. Not all damage can be reversed.
When reading, a message appears that the file was encrypted or corrupted. The encrypted MPEG4 files cannot be played on other computers than the one on which they were encrypted, they must be decrypted before using on another device.
The operating system protects files in some locations (e.g. the root of the system partition) against unauthorized access. These directories are write-protected to them and it's very hard to fix this problem. If possible, you can try to move the MPEG4 file to another location.
This problem only occurs with more complex files. Some file types can only be opened in one program at a time. Running programs (including those in the background) should be verified. If the error persists after closing other programs, wait for a while. Antivirus programs or a backup being made may lock the file for a while without the user's knowledge. If this does not work either, restart the device.