When you exported an edited video in Adobe Premiere as MOV format, you might find the QuickTime Player can’t open MOV. The converting bar fills up nearly all the way with an error message. How to fix QuickTime won’t play MOV files?
QuickTime Player is the Apple media player distributed over Windows and Mac. It supports MOV, MPEG-4, MPEG-2, MPEG-1, 3GPP, 3GPP2, AVCHD, AVI, and DV video formats. But why QuickTime Player can’t open MOV? Just learn more about the reasons and troubleshooting from the article.
The damage to the MOV file will cause the QuickTime player to fail to open the file. When there is any problem with the QuickTime Player, you cannot open MOV with QuickTime. Just fix this problem by following the steps below and make your QuickTime work again. Find the Utilities app from the Applications folder and click on it. Perian, is a great open-source QuickTime component that allows playback of different video formats that cannot be played natively on your Mac computer. If you want to use QuickTime as your main video player, you may choose to download Perian because it provides the necessary codecs or components that will allow you to play AVI on Mac. AVI is also supported by the player but still some AVI files can’t be played directly using the basic free QuickTime player. QuickTime Pro comes with a feature to convert AVI to QuickTime MOV. However, you need a QuickTime Pro license key in order to get the pro features, which come with a cost.
Part 1: 5 Solutions to Fix QuickTime Player Can’t Open MOV
Solution 1: Re-open QuickTime
Corrupting file system can lead to QuickTime won’t open MOV video files. However, you can fix this issue and enable the QuickTime player to work again by reopening the Media Player.
On Mac:
Open the Applications folder and open the Utilities folder, and then run the Activity Monitor app.
Find the QuickTime Player option under the Process Name column and select it. After that, click the Quit Process button, which is located at the top left of the window.
When prompted, click the Quit option again to confirm it. Next, you can restart Mac and check if the QuickTime player opens MOV videos.
On Windows:
Go to the Start menu at the bottom left corner, find and open the Task Manager on Windows 10.
Click the More details option on the popup dialog to display all processes. Highlight the QuickTime Player and click the End task button to quit the video player.
Restart your PC and open a MOV in QuickTime once again. This time it should work as usual.
Solution 2: Update QuickTime
If you were using an outdated player and QuickTime won’t play MOV, it is time to update the program. Just keep in mind that Apple has stopped support QuickTime for PC. For Mac users, follow the steps below to update your player.
Open your QuickTime Player and go to the Help menu on the top menu bar of the program.
Select the Update Existing Software option and follow the instructions to install the latest version on your computer.
After that, you can restart your computer and launch the media player to fix QuickTime Player can’t open MOV files.
Solution 3: Up macOS to Date
The Outdated software is another factor that makes QuickTime Player not playing MOV or other video files. It is simple to fix the problem. You can just update your macOS to the latest version.
Go to the Apple menu, choose the System Preferences option, and then click the Software Update to check for updates.
If there is an update available, click the Update Now button to install it. When prompted, enter your administrator password.
When it is done, your computer will power off and turn back on again. Now, QuickTime can open MOV normally.
Solution 4: Use Another MOV Player
When MOV is not playing on QuickTime Player, you might be asked to use another MOV player on Windows and Mac. VLC, for example, is a versatile media player that is available on both Windows and Mac OS X. Moreover, it integrates a wide range of codecs. The open-source media player lets you enjoy any video file easily.
Solution 5: Check Video Extension
QuickTime won’t play MOV if your file extension is not correct. MOV is not only the video container, but also the file extension of QuickTime movies. Sometimes, you may leave a wrong file extension or delete the dot by mistake. Then QuickTime cannot decode the video file. Hence you’d better check the file extension and make sure it is correct.
Part 2: The Ultimate Ways to Fix QuickTime Won’t Play MOV
Method 1: Convert MOV for QuickTime on Desktop
When QuickTime Player cannot open MOV, chances are that the media player cannot decode the codecs, you can convert MOV to compatible formats with Video Converter Ultimate. It also enables you to tweak the video/audio codec, trim the desired part, and compress the video file.
- * Convert the MOV with the desired video/audio codec for QuickTime.
- * Provide the in-built MPEG4 video codec to play MOV files directly.
- * Edit the MOV file, such as cut, merge, add watermark, and more.
- * Enhance the video quality with resolution upscale, remove noise, etc.
How to Convert MOV for QuickTime Player
Launch the video converter ultimate after the installation. Go to the Converter menu and click the Add Files option to import the MOV files that QuickTime won’t open or play.
Click the Format icon on the first title to trigger the dialog. Go to the Video tab, choose MOV, and select a proper preset. Click the Gear icon and change the codec and other options based on QuickTime.
After that, you can set the output destination at the bottom left side. Click the Convert All button to initiate the MOV conversion. It might take a few minutes before playing MOV in QuickTime.
Method 2: How to Convert MOV for QuickTime Online
Free Online Video Converter is another way to convert MOV files for playing in QuickTime. It enables you to convert 1080P MOV without size limitations. Moreover, you can also tweak the video/audio codec, bitrate, frame rate, channel, and sample rate to convert MOV to QuickTime compatible video formats within clicks.
Go to the online video converter with your browser. Click the Launch Free Converter button to import the MOV files to the online converter that can’t play with QuickTime Player.
Once you have uploaded the MOV files, you can select MP4 or MOV as the output format. Click the Gear icon to tweak the video codec as MPEG-4 for the QuickTime Player.
Press the Convert button to start converting MOV files to QuickTime compatible format. After that, you can download the converted files and import them to QuickTime Player again.
Part 3: FAQs about QuickTime Not Playing MOV
1. Is It Possible to Repair MOV Files for QuickTime Player?
Yes. You can copy the original MOV that can’t play on QuickTime Player and change the extension of the copied MOV as AVI. Launch the VLC player and click the Preferences menu, and select the Input or Codecs. Select Always Fix next to corrupted MOV file.
2. How to Check Whether the MOV Files are Damaged?
You can simply add the MOV file to another video player, such as the online video player or VLC Media Player. It still does not work, the file might be damaged or virus affected. To fix MOV files won’t play on QuickTime Player; you should use the anti-virus program or have another download.
3. Why MOV File Plays Audio But No Video in QuickTime?
If you have already used the above methods to fix the MOV can’t play on QuickTime Player, but the problem still exists. You should pay attention that the improper way of transferring MOV files might damage the movie. Just have another download to find whether it works.
Open Avi With Quicktime
Conclusion
Open Avi With Quicktime Pro
What can you do when QuickTime can’t play MOV? The article shares 5 solutions to fix this problem. Moreover, you can try video converter ultimate to re-encode your video files. If you have any query about this, you can share more details in the comment.
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MOV is a multimedia container file format that is mainly designed for QuickTime Player. Why QuickTime Player cannot open MOV files? If you just exported some MOV files from Final Cut Pro or other video editors, the QuickTime Player won’t open MOV files with a message that QuickTime Player can't open xxxx.mov. Just learn more about the reasons as well as the 5 most efficient ways to fix the related problems from the article.
Part 1: Why QuickTime Player Won’t Play MOV?
Just as mentioned, MOV is a QuickTime-supported video file. If there is a problem with encoding and decoding, QuickTime Player cannot open the MOV files directly. MOV is a container format for a variety of different video and audio codecs, not a simple file format. It contains many different audio and video encoders, such as MPEG-4, AAC, etc.
When QuickTime Player cannot open MOV, it is likely the computer is not ready to read the codec of the file. If any specific encoding in the MOV file cannot be recognized quickly, the MOV file cannot be played. You can either change the video codec for the MOV, or use another MOV player.
Part 2: 5 Solutions to Fix QuickTime Cannot Open MOV
Solution 1: Choose QuickTime Player Alternative for MOV
If you cannot open MOV with QuickTime Player, you can simply change to another media player that supports all video codec. Vidmore Player is one of the best QuickTime Player alternatives, which is compatible with videos, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs. It offers a range of flexible multimedia playback options to achieve extraordinary playback performance.
- Support MOV, MP4, AVI, and MKV with different video and audio codecs.
- Provide flexible multimedia playing options, like full, half, and more others.
- Play MOV files with an easy navigation menu to get the desired chapter.
- Use the shortcut key to take a quick snapshot while watching the MOV.
Step 1. Download and install Vidmore Player, you can launch the program on your computer. Click Open File on the main interface to load the MOV files that you cannot play with QuickTime Player. It supports all video codec and audio codec for the MOV files without extra downloading.
Step 2. You can change the video playback settings via the top menu bar, such as Video and Tools, to get better visual experience. Click the Play Movie option to play MOV files on your computer. You can take a screenshot of the highlights during the process.
Solution 2: Update QuickTime Player to The Latest Version
How To Open Avi Files With Quicktime Player
When you are using an old version, QuickTime Player might not open MOV videos. Just search for the latest QuickTime version to find whether it works. But one thing you have to know is that Apple has stopped its QuickTime support for the PC version.
Step 1. Open your player and click the Help menu at the top of the player.
Step 2. Find and click the Update Existing Software option, follow the instructions to install the latest version of the player.
Step 3. When the player is updated, restart your computer. Return the QuickTime to play the MOV file again.
Solution 3: Install Missing Codec for QuickTime Player
It should be easy to find a solution when there is a prompted message that the video encoder is not supported. All you can do is install a codec to fix QuickTime Player that cannot open MOV. You can download and install the MOV-related video file type support codec directly from the network. You can also install a complete codec package, which contains almost all the codecs of file formats. But be aware that there may be malicious advertisements, which will put your computer in danger.
Solution 4: Repair Corrupted MOV in VLC Media Player
When your QuickTime Player cannot open MOV files that are related to the damaged MOV files, you need to repair the corrupted MOV. You can simply take advantage of the repair feature of VLC Media Player to fix damaged MOV files on your computer accordingly.
Step 1. VLC has a feature that automatically fixes damaged AVI files. Therefore, you need to convert MOV files to AVI format. Run VLC, and click the Media tab.
Step 2. Find the Convert/Save option in the drop-down list. Select the format conversion tool. Click the Add button to import the damaged MOV file.
Step 3. Select the AVI file as the output format, and click the Start button. When the conversion is complete, click the Tools menu to find the Preferences option.
Step 4. Jump to the Input/Codecs section, find the damaged AVI file and select the Always Fix option, click the Save option to start repairing the MOV files on your computer.
Solution 5: Fix QuickTime Player on Mac
The damage to the MOV file will cause the QuickTime player to fail to open the file. When there is any problem with the QuickTime Player, you cannot open MOV with QuickTime. Just fix this problem by following the steps below and make your QuickTime work again
Step 1. Find the Utilities app from the Applications folder and click on it. Start the Activity Monitor option with a double click.
Step 2. Select the QuickTime Player option in the Process Name list. Then click on the Quit Process in the window.
Step 3. Click the Quit button from the new confirmation window. When you exit the Activity Monitor program, restart the computer and run the program to check whether it can play your MOV files normally.
Part 3: FAQs about Fixing QuickTime Player Won’t Play MOV
What are the Supported Video Formats of QuickTime Player?
Can Quicktime Open Avi Files
QuickTime Player supports MOV, MP4, M4V, MPEG-2 (OS X Lion or later), MPEG-1, 3GPP, 3GPP2, AVCHD (OS X Mountain Lion or later), AVI (Motion JPEG only), and DV with following video codec MPEG-2 (OS X Lion or later), MPEG-4 (Part 2), H.264, H.263, H.261.
Where to Download Video Codec to Fix QuickTime Player Won’t Play MOV?
To fix the QuickTime Player cannot open MOV; you can download an extra video codec, such as Windows Media Component Flip4Mac. You can simply go to the Windows official website to search for the free video codec and install it on your computer accordingly.
Should I Upgrade to QuickTime Pro to Fix MOV Playback Issue?
Yes. One of the major differences between QuickTime and QuickTime Pro is the playback of various media formats. But when you need to play some MOV files on QuickTime Player only, you can choose some alternative MOV players instead.
Conclusion
If you play MOV files with QuickTime Player, you may often encounter video playback failures. Whether it is a problem that the format is not compatible, or maybe because the MOV file is corrupt, you can find the ultimate ways to fix the problem from the article. Vidmore Player is one of the best MOV player alternatives when you cannot open MOV files with QuickTime Player.