HEVC for VLC & Alternative Players to Enjoy Videos Smoothly

VLC is among the most widely used media players because it can play almost any video format. But what about HEVC for VLC? Can VLC play HEVC videos? We will answer that question here. You will also learn about the issues you might face and the simple solutions you can try. Most of all, we will share a tool that lets you play HEVC videos smoothly without problems.

Part 1: Can VLC Play HEVC

The first question to learn is, can VLC play HEVC?

Yes, VLC can play HEVC videos. HEVC means High Efficiency Video Coding, also known as H.265. It keeps videos clear while using less storage space. It is one big reason people often compare HEVC vs. H.264, since HEVC gives better quality at smaller file sizes.

VLC started supporting HEVC in version 2.1, so you do not need any extra plugins or tools to play it. However, on older or weaker computers, playback can still be slow or choppy, especially when watching 4K or 8K videos.

Part 2: Why Your VLC Cannot Play HEVC Codec

There are cases, VLC cannot play HEVC (H.265) videos the right way. These issues often come from missing HEVC codecs, bad video files, or computer settings that do not match the video's needs. Here is what each common problem means:

Issue 1: When the video turns blank or gray but the sound keeps playing, it usually means the HEVC codec for VLC Media Player is missing or not working correctly. The player can still read the audio part, but fails to show the video image.

Issue 2: If half of the screen turns black while the rest plays fine, it often happens because the video file is damaged or too heavy for your computer's graphics power. It may also mean the decoder inside VLC is not handling HEVC frames correctly.

Issue 3: When VLC says it does not support HVC1 or HEV1, it means the file uses a different HEVC tag that VLC cannot decode. The player supports the HEVC format, but not every version of it. It often happens with files that use the HEVC video extension, which includes tags that VLC may not recognize or read properly. In this case, VLC understands HEVC in general but struggles to handle some specific variations of the format.

Issue 4: If the HEVC video stutters or lags even on a strong computer, the video may be too high in resolution or bitrate. Sometimes, VLC settings or poor hardware acceleration make playback worse.

Issue 5: A total system freeze with a blank color screen often points to GPU driver issues. HEVC decoding depends on the graphics card, and when it fails, the whole system can lock up.

Issue 6: When VLC crashes soon after starting a HEVC file, it can mean the file is corrupted or the software build of VLC has a bug with HEVC decoding.

Issue 7: If the VLC window closes but the background process stays, it is usually because VLC did not finish a task or got stuck processing a HEVC file. It leaves it running invisibly in the background.

These errors come from missing HEVC support, broken video files, or system issues. Each one can be fixed with the right method, which will be explained in the next part.

Part 3: How to Fix It When Your VLC Cannot Play HEVC

Let us not waste time and get straight to fixing the issues. Below are the simple and proven ways to make your HEVC videos play smoothly again:

Solution 1: Turn Off Hardware Decoding

VLC uses hardware acceleration to help your GPU handle video playback. But if it uses the wrong one, like for H.264 instead of H.265, the HEVC video may stutter or lag. It happens when the H.265 codec for VLC is not working correctly or when the hardware decoder chooses the wrong format.

You can fix it by turning off hardware decoding. Go to Tools > Preferences > Input/Codecs and set Hardware-accelerated decoding to Disable. If that still does not help, try using DXVA or Direct3D11 instead. On some computers, turning hardware decoding back on can also solve the problem.

Solution 2: Raise the File Caching Value

If your HEVC video still freezes or lags, increasing file caching helps VLC load more data before playing. Go to Tools > Preferences, then choose All settings. Under Input/Codecs > Advanced, find File caching (ms) and change the number from 300 to 1000 or 2000. It makes playback smoother, especially for 4K or high-bitrate videos.

Solution 3: Check the De-interlacing Option

Wrong de-interlacing settings can also make HEVC playback rough, which might make you wonder, can VLC play H.265 videos smoothly? Yes, it can, but only if the settings are right.

Go to Tools > Preferences > Video > De-interlacing. Then, please change it to Automatic or choose a lighter mode like Blend. If it is set to Yadif (x2), that option can be too heavy for your GPU and cause lag or choppy playback.

Solution 4: Upgrade Your Computer Hardware

HEVC, especially 4K or 8K at 60fps, needs strong hardware. If your computer is old, it may not handle it well. Add more RAM (4GB or higher) and use a graphics card that supports HEVC decoding. Also, close other apps to free up CPU power.

Solution 5: Install the libde265 Plugin

VLC cannot play HEV1 or HVC1 videos because it lacks the right decoder. To make VLC play H.265 files smoothly, you can install the libde265 plugin, which allows VLC to decode more HEVC formats. On Linux, open the terminal and type:

• sudo apt-add-repository ppa:strukturag/libde265
• sudo apt-get update
• sudo apt install vlc-plugin-libde265

Solution 6: Pick Another Video Track

If your HEVC video file has more than one video stream, try switching to another track. Pause the video, right-click the screen, choose Video > Video Track, and pick a different one. Sometimes, only one track plays correctly.

Part 4: The Best VLC Alternative to Play HEVC Codec Seamlessly

When HEVC for VLC does not work well and your videos lag or stutter, AVAide Blu-ray Player steps in as the best solution. It supports HEVC, H.264, AV1, and many other popular or rare codecs without lag or crash.

This player works with a broad range of video and audio formats and also supports Blu-ray and DVD playback. With AVAide Blu-ray Player, you can enjoy your videos in the best picture and sound clarity possible.

Step 1Start by downloading AVAide Blu-ray Player on your computer. Once the download finishes, install the program, and please wait until the setup is complete.

Step 2After installation, open AVAide Blu-ray Player. On the main screen, click Open File to choose the HEVC video you want to watch. The player will load your file quickly without any lag or delay.

Step 3Once the video starts, use the simple playback controls to play, pause, stop, forward, or rewind your HEVC video smoothly. You can also fine-tune the screen size, audio track, or subtitles for a better viewing experience. As you can see, AVAide Blu-ray Player makes playing HEVC videos clear, stable, and easy on any computer.

By Bryan Simmonds on Nov 18, 2025