How to Fix VLC’s “Your input can’t be opened” Error

We go over the reasons why this happens

Are you getting a “Your input can’t be opened” error while trying to play an online video (such as YouTube videos) in VLC Media Player? Your media link may be broken, or there may be issues with your app or system. We’ll show you how to fix those problems so you can stream your content.

Some of the reasons for the above error include VLC being outdated, your firewall restricting access to the provided media link, or not having ownership of the file if you’re playing a local file.

The first thing to check when you can’t play online content in VLC is your media file’s source link. The link you’re trying to open may be broken, causing the app to display an error.

One way to check that is to grab the link from VLC and paste it into your web browser. If your link opens in the browser, it’s working fine. However, ifthe link fails to load, you need to find a valid link for the content you wish to play.

Reset Your VLC Preferences

You can make several customizations in VLC so that the app is truly yours. Sometimes, too many customizations cause the app to malfunction, resulting in various errors.

In this case, you canclear your custom preferencesin VLC, and give the app a fresh start. You can then re-customize your settings from scratch if you want.

Fix VLC’s Errors by Updating the App

Outdated app versions often have many issues. Your “Your input can’t be opened” error may be the result of an old VLC app on your computer. In this case, you canupdate your appto the latest version and resolve your issue.

Updating VLC is quick, easy, and free. Here’s how to do it.

Change Your Media File Ownership on Windows 10/11

If you’re getting the above VLC error while trying to play a local video file, you may not have full permission to access the file. These file permission issues are common on Windows, and you can fix them pretty easily.

You cantransfer your media file’s ownershipto yourself, making the file accessible in VLC.

Disable or Modify Your Firewall Settings

One reason you get the “Your input can’t be opened” error is that your system’s firewall is blocking access to your media link. In this case, VLC has no option but to display an error message.

You can check if this is the case by temporarilydisabling your firewall. If it does the job, you can add VLC to your firewall’s exception list, ensuring the app can access all links.

If your file plays in VLC without issues, add the app toyour firewall’s exceptions listas follows:

Turn Off Your Antivirus Software

Your antivirus program may have detected VLC as a malicious app, preventing app’s access to online media links. To check if this is the case, turn off your antivirus protection and see if VLC can then play your file.

You canturn off Microsoft Defender Antivirusprotection as follows.

Reinstall VLC on Your Computer

If your “Your input can’t be opened” error persists, VLC’s core app files might be corrupt. This causes the app to not run smoothly, resulting in various error messages.

Since you can’t fix an app’s core files, you canuninstalland reinstall the app to bring in fresh new working files. It’s easy to reinstall VLC on Windows, Mac, and Linux. Here are the instructions for the Windows operating system.

Use an Alternative Media Player

While it’s rare for a VLC player to not function after following the above methods, if you continue to get an error message, consider using one of theother media playersavailable for your operating system.

There aremany great media playersthat you can use on your Windows, Mac, and Linux system to watch videos, both online and offline. You usually get the same set of functionalities as VLC, so your experience will remain pretty much the same.

Stream Online Content Without Issues in VLC Media Player

VLC is capable of playing various kinds of media files, both online and offline. If you receive an error while trying tostream an online file, the fixes outlined above should resolve your issue.

Once VLC has access to your media link, you’ll be able to watch your favorite shows, movies, and other items in the app (without any issues). Happy streaming!

Mahesh has been obsessed with technology since he got his first gadget a decade or so ago. Over the last few years, he’s written a number of tech articles on various online publications including but not limited to MakeTechEasier and Android AppStorm.Read Mahesh’s Full Bio

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