Several Microsoft PowerPoint users have reported that it doesn’t let them insert a video into their presentation slides. They keep getting the “PowerPoint cannot insert a video from the selected file” error and the video won’t be added to their presentation. Here is the full error message that you are likely to get when this error is triggered:
PowerPoint cannot insert a video from the selected file. Verify that the necessary 64-bit codec for this media format is installed, and then try again.
Some users have reported getting the following error message:
PowerPoint cannot insert a video from the selected file. Verify that the path and the file format are correct and also try installing the latest version of Apple QuickTime player, and restart PowerPoint and then try again.
Why can’t I insert a video into a PowerPoint presentation?
You might be unable to insert a video into your Powerpoint presentation due to various reasons. One of the primary reasons is an unsupported file format. If your video file format is not supported by Powerpoint, you will experience the above error. Microsoft Powerpoint supports a set of video formats that you can add or play in your presentations. So, do check the file format before you proceed. It is recommended to convert your video to WMV format and then add it to the presentation.
Besides that, if the video path doesn’t exist or is changed, this error might occur. Another common reason for this error is the fact that the necessary video codec is missing on your PC. Other than that, there can be other reasons for this error including media compatibility issues, outdated or faulty video controller drivers, and corruption in the Powerpoint app.
Now, in any case, if you keep getting the “PowerPoint cannot insert a video from the selected file” error message in Powerpoint, we got you covered. This guide discusses all the potential solutions that you should follow to resolve this error message. So, let us check out!
PowerPoint cannot insert a video from the selected file
If you are encountering the “PowerPoint cannot insert a video from the selected file” error while trying to insert or play a video into your Powerpoint presentation, use the below methods to fix it:
- Check your video format.
- Check the path of the video file.
- Make sure your video file is not corrupted.
- Use the Optimize Media Compatibility option.
- Install a K-Lite Codec Pack or some other third-party codec.
- Enable Windows Media Player Controls in PowerPoint.
- Update video controller driver.
- Convert your video to WMV format.
- Repair Microsoft Powerpoint.
1] Check your video format
The first thing you should check is the format of the video you are trying to insert into your Powerpoint presentation. It might be the case that the said video file format is not supported which is why you are getting the error at hand. Hence, do check the video format and make sure it is supported by Powerpoint.
Microsoft PowerPoint 2013 and newer versions support quite a lot of video formats to add and play in your PPT slides. These include ASF, AVI, MP4, M4V, MOV, MPG/ MPEG, and WMV. But, PowerPoint 2010 32-bit version can only play MP4 and MOV video formats if QuickTime Player is installed on your PC. Hence, it is recommended to convert them to WMV format in case you are using an older version of Microsoft Powerpoint.
Once you make sure the video file that you are adding to your presentation is in a supported format, you can move on to the next solution.
Related: PowerPoint Cannot Play Media
2] Check the path of the video file
This error might be caused if the video file in question is no more available at the specified location. The video file path might be wrong or the file might have moved from the specified path to a different folder. Hence, you need to make sure that the path of the video file that you have inserted is correct. Open File Explorer and check if the video existed at the given path or not. If not, re-add the video from its correct location and then see whether or not the error is fixed.
3] Make sure your video file is not corrupted
It might also be the case that the video file you are trying to insert into Powerpoint is corrupted. Hence, ensure that your video is not corrupted or damaged. You can try opening the video in some other video player on Windows like Media Player, VLC, etc., and see if it plays correctly or not. If not, your video file must be infected or corrupted.
If your video file is corrupted, you can repair your video using different methods. You can use free video repair software like Meteorite, Get My Videos Back, DivXRepair, etc. Or, you can also use VLC Media Player to repair your corrupted video file.
In case your video file is not corrupted, move on to the next fix to resolve the “PowerPoint cannot insert a video from the selected file” error.
See: How to fix the PowerPoint can’t save file error?
4] Use the Optimize Media Compatibility option
You can also use the Optimize Media Compatibility option available in Microsoft Powerpoint. If this error is caused due to compatibility issues with your media file, it will optimize your media files and fix the error at hand. Here’s how you can do that:
- Firstly, open Microsoft Powerpoint and your presentation.
- Now, go to the File menu and click on the Info option.
- Next, you will see an Optimization Compatibility button next to the Optimize Media Compatibility option; just tap on it.
- After that, you can try inserting your videos and Powerpoint will start optimizing the added videos.
See if the error has stopped now. If the error still continues, apply the next potential fix.
5] Install a K-Lite Codec Pack or some other third-party codec
This error could very well be facilitated due to missing or outdated video codecs. Hence, you must install the required video codec to be able to add and play videos in your PowerPoint presentations. There are various third-party codecs available on the web that you can install. Microsoft Support team recommends you download and install a K-Lite Codec Pack. Here’s how.
- First, open a web browser and go to free-codecs.com.
- Now, move to the K-Lite Codec Packs page and download the Standard pack.
- Once the pack is downloaded, double-click on it and start the installation.
- You can set up the pack as per your preference or accept its default settings.
- When the pack is installed, restart your computer and open Powerpoint to check if the “PowerPoint cannot insert a video from the selected file” error is fixed or not.
If the error is still the same, we have some more working fixes that you can use.
Read: The file is corrupt and cannot be opened in Word, Excel, or PowerPoint.
6] Enable Windows Media Player Controls in PowerPoint
You can also try activating the Windows Media Player controls in PowerPoint and then check if the error is fixed or not. Here are the steps to do that:
- First, open Powerpoint and go to File > Option.
- In the next window, go to the Customize Ribbon tab.
- Now, under the Customize the Ribbon section, tick the Developer checkbox and press the OK button.
- After that, you will see a Developer tab on the main toolbar in Powerpoint; just click on it.
- Next, choose the More Controls option and enable Windows Media Player Controls.
- Finally, try loading your video file in Powerpoint and see if the error at hand is fixed or not.
7] Update video controller driver
You might be receiving this error if the video controller drivers on your computer are outdated or corrupted. Hence, you can try updating your video controller driver manually and see if the problem is fixed. Here’s how to do that:
- First, open Device Manager from the Win+X shortcut menu.
- Now, scroll down and expand the “Sounds, video and game controllers” category.
- Next, select your video controller and right-click on it.
- From the appeared context menu, choose the Update driver option.
- Let Windows update the driver and once done, reboot your PC and check if the error is gone.
See: PowerPoint can’t open this type of file.
8] Convert your video to WMV format
If you are using an older version of Powerpoint, it is recommended to convert your video files to WMV format and then insert them into your PPTs. There are many free online video converters using which you can convert a video to WMV format, like CloudConvert, Zamzar, FreeConvert.com, Convertio, and many more. You can even use a free desktop application to convert videos like HandBrake, Any Video Converter, etc.
9] Repair Microsoft Powerpoint
In case none of the above solutions worked for you, we recommend you repair your Microsoft Office package. There might be some corruption in Microsoft Powerpoint which is why you keep getting the “PowerPoint cannot insert a video from the selected file” error. Hence, repair the app and then see if the error is fixed. Microsoft has made it easy to repair corrupted Office apps. You can simply use the Settings app to repair your apps including Office. Here’s how:
- First, press the Win+I hotkey to open the Settings app.
- Now, go to the Apps > Installed apps section.
- Next, scroll down to the Microsoft Office app and click on the three-dot menu button.
- After that, from appeared options, select the Modify option.
- A new window will open up; choose the Repair option and press the Continue button.
- Windows will now start repairing your Office apps.
- Once done, reboot your computer and then open Microsoft Powerpoint to check if the error is fixed or not.
Hope you won’t experience the PowerPoint cannot insert a video from the selected file error now.
How do I insert an mp4 video into PowerPoint?
To insert an MP4 or some other video file in Powerpoint, go to the Insert tab present on the ribbon. Then, click on the Media option and then choose the Video option. After that, click on the Video on My PC option and browse and select the video file you want to insert. You can also add a video file from an online source.
Now read: Fix PowerPoint found a problem with content.
