How to run .avi files in power point

Question

Good morning,

I started having issues with PowerPoint not playing AVI videos as it used to.

Normally, I would click File>Info>Optimize for Compatibility, and that would resolve the issue.

I already tried troubleshooting with Microsoft Help suggestions like updating audio drivers and installing K-Lite Codec, and the issue persists.
I tried Insert → Video → Video on this device and it gives the above error

How can I resolve this issue without changing .avi to MP4

Answer 1

To resolve the issue of PowerPoint not playing AVI videos, you can try the following steps:

1. Check Desktop Experience: If you are using PowerPoint on a Windows Server (like Windows Server 2012 or 2008), ensure that the Desktop Experience feature is installed. This feature is necessary for certain media editing options and playback capabilities in PowerPoint. If it’s not installed, follow these steps to enable it:
   • Start Server Manager.
   • Locate the Features Summary area and click Add Features.
   • Select the Desktop Experience checkbox and click Next.
   • Click Install, then restart your computer after installation.
2. Update PowerPoint: Ensure that your PowerPoint application is up to date. Sometimes, updates can resolve compatibility issues with media files.
3. Try Different Video Formats: If possible, consider using a different video format that is more compatible with PowerPoint, such as MP4, as AVI files can sometimes cause issues depending on the codecs used.
4. Use Media Player: If the AVI file is not playing directly in PowerPoint, consider playing it in a media player first and then embedding the video in PowerPoint as a workaround.
5. Check for Codecs: Ensure that the necessary codecs for AVI playback are installed. While you mentioned installing K-Lite Codec, verify that it includes the codecs needed for your specific AVI files.

If these steps do not resolve the issue, you may need to convert the AVI files to a more compatible format, as PowerPoint has better support for formats like MP4.

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References:

• You cannot edit video or audio in PowerPoint if Desktop Experience is not installed

Answer 2

Hi Nakaranee, Disha,

Good day. I'm Jhun an independent advisor. In regards with your Powerpoint playing AVI video file issue, Windows / Office changed how it handle video decoding. If the codec isn't supported by Windows Media Foundation, Powerpoint will refuse to insert or play it even if it worked before. Try these steps and see what will fix the problem.

A. Force Powerpoint to use legacy codecs.

1. Open PowerPoint.
2. Go to File > Options.
3. Select Advanced.
4. Scroll to Display.
5. Uncheck: Disable hardware graphics acceleration
6. Click OK.
7. Restart PowerPoint. This will force fallback decoding and restores AVI playback for many codecs.

B. Install Microsoft's legacy media components. Some AVI codecs depend on Windows Media player legacy features, which may be disabled.

1. Press Win+R. Type and run:
   optionalfeatures
2. Enable: Media Features > Windows Media Player.
3. click OK and Reboot
4. Test again.

C. Use VLC codec engine. VLC can act as a system decoder without converting the file.

1. Install VLC Media Player.
2. Restart.
3. Try to Insert > Video > This Device again. VLC registers codecs system-wide that Powerpoint can sometimes detect.

D. Embed instead of link, important if error happens on insert.

1. Insert the AVI from a local folder. Avoid network drives or Onedrive temporarily.
2. After inserting: Go to File > Info.
3. Confirm video shows as Embedded, not linked. Powerpoint fails silently if the codec loads but the file path blocks access.

E. Try to repair Office.

1. Settings > Apps > Installed Apps.
2. Select Microsoft 365 / Office.
3. Click Modify.
4. Run Online Repair.
5. Reboot. This restores missing Media Foundation bindings.

I hope this helps.

Regards,
Jhun