You downloaded a video, you open it and… nothing. You get an error, the screen stays black or you can only hear the audio. Most of the time the file isn't broken: the issue is the codec, the way the video is compressed, and your player simply doesn't understand it.
The three formats you'll run into
- H.264 (AVC): the most compatible. It works on virtually any phone, computer, TV or video editor.
- VP9: a modern format some social networks use for their highest qualities. Browsers and VLC play it; some desktop players don't.
- AV1: the newest and most efficient. Some platforms use it for certain versions of their videos. It needs recent hardware or software.
Velotu always prefers H.264 when the social network offers it. But some videos, especially at the highest qualities, only exist in VP9 or AV1. For those, we give you two options when you download:
- Compatible MP4 (H.264): we convert the video so it plays anywhere. It takes a few minutes and you'll see a progress bar.
- Fast original: downloads in seconds, exactly as the social network stores it, in VP9 or AV1.
Fixes for your device
- Windows: install VLC (free), which opens all of these formats. Another option is to install the free "VP9 Video Extensions" and "AV1 Video Extension" from the Microsoft Store so the built-in Windows player can handle them.
- Mac: QuickTime doesn't always open VP9. Use VLC or IINA, or drag the video into a Chrome or Firefox tab.
- Android: almost every recent phone plays VP9. If yours doesn't, install VLC for Android.
- iPhone: recent models play VP9 and AV1 in many apps, but not always in Photos. The safest bet is to download the Compatible MP4 version.
The simplest fix
Look up the video again in Velotu and choose Compatible MP4 (H.264) instead of "Fast original". That file plays everywhere, including the built-in Windows player and the iPhone Photos app.
Other possible causes
- The download didn't finish: an incomplete file won't open. Compare its size with the one we showed you before downloading.
- Your connection dropped: download it again; download links are generated fresh with every search.
- There's only audio: if the player doesn't recognize the video codec, it sometimes plays just the sound. Use VLC or the Compatible MP4 version.
How to tell what format your video is in
- With VLC: open the video and go to Tools → Codec Information. It shows whether it's H.264, VP9 or AV1.
- In Velotu: when you download, the highest-quality options say whether they're "Original VP9/AV1" or "Compatible MP4 (H.264)".
- With MediaInfo: a free tool for Windows and Mac that shows every technical detail of the file.
What if I already downloaded it in VP9 or AV1?
No need to delete it. You can watch it in VLC or in your browser, or convert it to H.264 with a free program like HandBrake. But the quickest route is usually to look up the video again in Velotu and pick the Compatible MP4 option: we do the conversion for you.
Tip: If you're going to edit the video in CapCut, Premiere or your phone's editor, always download the Compatible MP4 version: editors work best with H.264.