VLC 3.0.18+ includes improved VideoToolbox hooks.
By default, VLC uses an open-source decoder called libavcodec . This works fine for older codecs (H.264, MPEG-2, VP9), but for HEVC, the open-source solution lacks proper optimization.
Go to the official VideoLAN website and download a fresh copy. Install the software using the recommended settings. Step 2: Configure VLC's Internal Codec Settings
Enabling hardware acceleration (Linux)
By default, VLC media player supports a wide range of video codecs, including H.264 and MPEG-4. However, HEVC support is not enabled out of the box. If you try to play an HEVC encoded video on VLC without the necessary codec, you may encounter errors, such as:
If you absolutely cannot install the system codec (e.g., work PC without admin rights), use a portable VLC with an embedded FFmpeg HEVC decoder:
Open Advanced Preferences (Select All under preferences). Go to Video > Output modules . Click on Direct3D11 and change the Hardware decoding dropdown to Force . install hevc codec for vlc exclusive
Once you've installed the HEVC codec, launch VLC and follow the same steps as mentioned earlier to enable the HEVC codec.
Go to and select All at the bottom left. Navigate to Input / Codecs > Video codecs > FFmpeg .
If you've installed the codecs and adjusted the settings but still see a black screen with audio: Go to the official VideoLAN website and download
A: No, VLC requires the HEVC codec to be installed to play HEVC videos.
At the bottom left under Show settings , switch the radio button from Simple to . In the left-hand sidebar, click on Input / Codecs .