Best Solutions: What to Do When VLC Not Converting to MP4

Besides the basic player functionalities, VLC Media Player can also perform as a video format converter. For example, you can convert some special video formats of WebM, MKV, FLV, etc. to a more regular format like MP4. However, when people use VLC to convert to MP4, they may encounter various errors that lead to failed conversion. If you have such confusion, this passage can wipe it all.

We will analyze the potential reasons for VLC not converting to MP4, and more importantly, we will provide some feasible fixes to solve the problem. Meanwhile, a better and stable video converter will be mentioned too.

VLC Not Converting to MP4

Part 1. How to Use VLC to Convert Videos to MP4

Before we dive into tutorial of converting videos to MP4 with VLC, you should go to the official VLC site to download its latest version. VLC is compatible with both Windows and macOS, download a proper one according to your system.

Step 1.
After launching VLC Media Player on your desktop, click Media from the upper horizontal toolbar. Choose Convert/Save.
VLC Choose Convert Save
Step 2.
Click Add to choose a non-MP4 video that you want to convert. Or you can directly drag it to the Open Media window. Then, continue to click Convert/Save.
VLC Choose Convert to MP4
Step 3.
From the new screen, click the inverted triangle of the Profile to select MP4 as output. And you can click Browse to find a storage destination for your converted MP4 file in here.
Step 4.
Hit the Start button to change your original video file to MP4.
VLC Start MP4 Converter

VLC offers free service for your MP4 transcoding service, but you need to note that VLC doesn’t specialize in video format conversion. Its converting operation may be complicated for some users. In addition, the transcoded MP4 files of VLC usually have quality loss.

Part 2. Why VLC Not Converting to MP4

1. Incorrect Profile Selection

The most common issue is selecting a default conversion profile that doesn't specify a standard MP4 codec (like H.264 video and AAC audio), or the custom settings are misconfigured.

2. Input File Corruption/DRM

The original video file may be damaged, encrypted with DRM, or use an obscure codec that VLC can play but cannot reliably encode from.

3. Write Permissions Error

VLC failed to save the finished MP4 file because the designated output folder requires administrator permissions, or the file path contains illegal characters.

4. Software Glitch

You may be using an outdated or buggy version of VLC; conversion functions often have glitches that are fixed in newer software releases.

Part 3. Ultimate Solution: A Better Video Converter

In addition to VLC Media Player, you can also try some better video converters, represented by Aiseesoft Video Converter Ultimate, the most comprehensive video converter you’ve never seen before. It aims to support all video format conversions and comprehensive video converting settings. Compared with VLC Media Player, you can easily know how to operate it with its user-friendly interface. At the same time, Video Converter Ultimate adopts hardware acceleration to make it faster. You can receive your converted MP4 file in just a few minutes. As for the stability of Video Converter Ultimate, you won’t encounter unexpected situations like crashes or outputs part of the video as in VLC. The most important thing is this AI-supported program won’t reduce your video quality during MP4 conversion.

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Here is the step-by-step tutorial of Aiseesoft Video Converter Ultimate to convert other formats to MP4.

Step 1.
Hit the download button of Windows or macOS versions. Install Aiseesoft Video Converter Ultimate to your computer.
Step 2.
Click Add Files in the middle of the interface to add the video file you want to make it MP4. We used an MTS file to change it to MP4 as an example.
Video Converter Ultimate Add Files
Step 3.
Click the inverted triangle of the Output Format and choose the Video section. Select MP4 as output. You can also adjust the output MP4’s quality here.
Video Converter Ultimate MP4 Output
Step 4.
Moreover, you can also adjust the encoder, resolution, frame rate, and bitrate of your video. When all is set well, click the Convert All button to make your video MP4.
Video Converter Ultimate Start Converter

Part 4. Possible Solutions for VLC Not Converting to MP4

However, sometimes you might meet with an error or a file that won’t play. It’s a common headache, and the issue usually isn’t that VLC can’t handle MP4, but rather a mismatch or problem in the process. Often, it boils down to a simple mix-up between the container and the codec. You might be trying to put a video stream into the MP4 container that it doesn’t support by default. Other times, the source file itself could be corrupted, have DRM protection (like videos from streaming services), or the file path you've chosen for the output contains special characters that confuse the process.

Part 5. FAQs About VLC Not Converting to MP4

Why is my MP4 not working on VLC?

If VLC can’t play your MP4 files, it may be that your MP4 file is damaged, your VLC is in an older version, or your VLC lacks related codecs.

Is VLC good for converting video?

With various formats support and the open-source feature of VLC, you can use it to convert videos for free. But it’s not basically designed to be a professional video converter. Hence, VLC’s converting operation is complicated and its processing has quality loss.

How long does it take VLC to convert a DVD to MP4?

First, VLC isn’t a technical DVD to MP4 converter. Then, it depends on your computer’s capacity and the size of the DVD, this conversion usually takes from a few minutes to several hours.

Conclusion

To conclude, VLC Media Player doesn’t specialize in video converting. Thus, all kinds of reasons can lead to VLC not converting to MP4. If you want to transfer your videos to MP4 format, you can try the Aiseesoft Video Converter Ultimate we picked. This video converter program can wipe out all your video converting worries.

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Video Converter Ultimate is excellent video converter, editor and enhancer to convert, enhance and edit videos and music in 1000 formats and more.

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