How to open MKV File on Mac and Windows step-by-step

Struggling to open or watch MKV files? This tutorial covers the best tools to watch MKV files on Windows, Mac, Android & iOS. You’ll also learn how to convert MKV files to MP4 for smoother playback on any device.

The VLC media player is the best way to open and play an .MKV file. You can also use Windows Media Player, DivX Player, etc., or you can use media codecs. You can even convert them to an easily readable file format like AVI or MP4.

MKVs can be loaded with high-quality videos, several audio tracks, and even subtitles; however, most people have a problem opening them properly.

Are you curious how to open MKV files and how to play MKV files on Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone, or Smart TV? This guide is going to walk you step by step through opening and watching an MKV file.

This guide will also teach you why MKVs don’t work and how to fix your codec problems; we’ll talk about whether you should convert your MKV to MP4.

How do you open an MKV File?

An MKV file can be opened with a media player such as VLC Media Player. People from all around the world, including those who have Windows, Mac, Android, and iPhone operating systems can open MKV files without converting them by using Windows Media Player, DivX Player, etc., or you can use media codecs.

What is a MKV File?

Matroska video files, or MKV is a file type of video that is used for containing movies or TV series in a single file format. The uniqueness of MKV is that it is able to contain video, audio, subtitles, and chapters in a single file format, rather than in different file formats. This makes it very useful for containing high-quality videos and downloading movies.

You may come across MKV files while working with HD or 4K videos. However, opening these files is not possible on all devices. This is why you may require a supportive media player to open and play them. In the next section, we will discuss three of the best tools or software used to open and play MKV files.

MKV files originated in 2002 in Russia. They are open-source and available for free. With time, the format improved, and it became the basis for the WebM multimedia format.

Technically, the MKV file format is based on EBML (Extensible Binary Meta Language), a binary standard. However, the structure of EBML resembles XML, and it can be interpreted as a binary markup. That’s why it is easy to construct even a very complicated nested structure inside the binary file. And that is how the .MKV file gets all those features that make it future-proof.

How to Open MKV Files on Windows and Mac (2026 Guide)

You can use any of the following tools to open MKV files:

#1) VLC Media Player

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VLC is the most popular media player that can open .mkv files. It can be used for all operating systems: Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.

Steps to use VLC to open the MKV file:

• Download VLC media player from the App Store or Google Play Store
• Install the freeware
• Run VLC
• Use a corresponding button or drag-and-drop option to add your MKV file to VLC
• Click Play

You can also make VLC your default player for opening and playing MKV files. Then you can open them just with a double-click.

For Windows:

• Go to the MKV file you want to open
• Right-click on the MKV file
• Select Open With option

• Go to Choose Another App.

• Check the box next to Always use this app to open the .mkv files option.

• Hit Ok to save the changes.

For Mac OS:

• Use the finder to pick the MKV file
• Right-click on the file
• Select Get Info to open the info window

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• In the window, click on the triangle beside the Open With option.

• Select VLC from the app list.
• Click Change All to open all MKV files with VLC.

Price: Free

Download from: https://www.videolan.org/vlc/download-windows.html

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#2) DivX

DivX is an award-winning video software with which you can play various files like DivX, AVI, MKV, etc. on your Mac and Windows devices. The download package includes DivX Player for high-quality video playback, DivX Converter for converting videos, and DivX Media Server to cast media from your computer to your TV.

Steps to Open MKV File with DivX:

• Download and install DivX.
• Open DivX Player and go to Files.

• Click on the option and select the Open Video option.

• Now find the MKV file you want to open and play it.
• If you can’t play the MKV file, you can use the DivX converter to convert the MKV file into another file format.
• Open the DivX converter.
• Go to the Add Files option or drag and drop the video.

• Next to Add Files are the options for the output files; pick one.

• At the bottom right-hand-side corner, select where you want to save the output file.

Now you can open this converted MKV file in DivX.

Price: Free

Download from: https://www.divx.com/en/software/divx

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#3) BSPlayer

It is a media player that you can use to open files like MKV. It is suitable for users of less capable computers and has over 70 million users.

Steps to open MKV File with BSPlayer:

• Download and install BSPlayer
• Launch the player
• Right-click on the player

• Go to the Open File option
• Find the file and select it
• Click Ok

Now the MKV file will open

Price: Free. However, you can buy the Pro for 29.90 USD for more features.

Download from: http://www.bsplayer.com/bsplayer-english/download-free.html

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How to Fix MKV Files That Won’t Open

A MKV file cannot be played could be because of outdated software such as media players, incompatible codecs, corrupt files, or incompatibility with hardware acceleration.

Below are some steps you can undertake sequentially to resolve the issue.

Method #1: Update VLC Media Player

Old versions of VLC media player may fail to open files due to newer video codecs used inside MKV containers.

To solve the problem, follow the steps outlined below.

• Step 1: Launch VLC media player.
• Step 2: Click on Help > Check for Updates.
• Step 3: Download and install the latest version. 
• Step 4: Restart VLC and try opening the MKV file again.

Method #2: Install Missing Codecs

The MKV format is a video file format that contains various codecs. When the video file does not have the required codecs installed on the computer or mobile device, MKV files may not play properly.

Common symptoms:

• Black screen but with sound
• The video file plays without audio
• Error messages when playing the file

Fix:

• Download and install a reliable codec pack.
• Use a player with built-in codec support, such as VLC. 
• Verify whether the file uses H.265, DTS, or other unsupported formats. 

Method #3: Disable Hardware Acceleration

The use of hardware acceleration might lead to some problems, such as stuttering, a green screen, or freezing.

How to do it in VLC:

1. Go to Tools > Preferences.
2. Pick the Input/Codecs tab.
3. Click on Hardware-accelerated decoding.
4. Disable this option.
5. Apply the changes and restart VLC.

Such a solution will likely solve the problem with the playback of MKV files on old computers and laptops.

Method #4: Repair the MKV File

Sometimes, a broken download process leads to file corruption.

Possible fixes:

• Re-download the video. 
• Copy the file again from the source. 
• Use special software that repairs the video index.
• Test the MKV file in other media players.

Corruption signs are:

• The video stops working in the middle of playback
• No audio track is found in the file
• Crashes every time you try to open an MKV video

Method #5: Convert MKV to MP4

When your system doesn’t recognize the audio codecs contained in the MKV container format, you might consider converting it into MP4 to ensure better compatibility.

When to convert:

• Smart TV unable to play MKV videos
• Unable to view on iPhone
• Errors shown in Windows Media Player
• Unsupported Audio codecs

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VLC Not Playing MKV Files? Try These Fixes

While the majority of MKV files can be played using VLC media player, some problems may arise as a result of incompatibility of the codec used, a damaged file, wrong settings, or a hardware acceleration conflict. The following troubleshooting techniques will help you enjoy smooth playback of MKV files with VLC media player.

No Audio in MKV Files

A very common problem with playing MKV files with the VLC player is a lack of sound. This typically occurs when the MKV file uses an audio codec that your system and/or VLC player cannot play.

Try these fixes: Update your VLC Player to the most recent version.

• See whether the audio track is selected via Audio -> Audio Track.
• Open the same file on other media players.
• Make sure that the speakers/headphones you’re using function properly.
• Convert the audio track to a different file format.

VLC Green Screen While Playing MKV Files

When you play MKV video files using VLC, if it shows green screens, there is an issue concerning graphical operations or hardware acceleration.

Steps for fixing the issue:

• Go to Tools -> Preferences.
• Choose Input/Codecs.
• Hardware-accelerated decoding.
• Set the value to Disabled.
• Restart the VLC player after saving the preferences.

Please make sure that you have the latest graphics drivers installed on your computer.

Subtitle Problems: MKV videos usually have more than one subtitle track. Occasions arise when the subtitles don’t appear, are wrong, or are not synced with the video.

Steps to fix:

• Click on Subtitle > Sub Track and choose the right subtitle track.
• Make sure your VLC version is up-to-date to support new subtitle types.
• Check if subtitle functionality is enabled within the VLC application.
• Find and use an external subtitle file if the current subtitle track is faulty.
• Tweak subtitle timing through VLC’s subtitle delay settings.

Media Codecs to Open MKV file on Mac and PC

In addition to the above three media players used to open MKV files, there is another method to open and play .mkv files, and that is the media codec. Using a media codec, you can encode or decode any type of digital media file.

You can find many free codecs online that you can use for this purpose. You can download K-Lite Codec Pack from here and Media Player Codec Pack from here. These two are the most popular Codec packs used to open MKV files.

A codec is a software program that compresses or decompresses videos, songs, and similar digital data media files. In fact, all media players use these codecs for creating and playing digital media files.

Pros of Codecs:

• You can play all video files using your favorite media player.
• Media codecs also allow you to reproduce various video and audio files you come across online.

Cons of Codecs:

• Since they are free, they usually carry malware and adware that might harm your PC.
• They support many multimedia files, so they might steal your hard drive space. It would be foolish to install a codec pack for playing only one video format.

How to Convert MKV Files to MP4: 6 Easy Tools

If for some reason, the above two methods don’t work for you, you can convert the .mkv file to formats like MP4, AVI, etc. Then you can play them on your favorite app.

#1) Freemake Video Converter

How to open .mkv file on Windows?

Well, for a Windows-based PCs, you can use Freemake Video Converter. It is a tool with a beautiful design and an easy user-interface. You also get astonishing numbers of formats for output options.

Steps to Convert MKV to MP4 or AVI with Freemake Video Converter:

• Download and install the tool in your system.
• Go to the +video button and add the MKV file. Or you can simply drag and drop the file here.

• If you need to, you can also edit the video. The software has an inbuilt editor with which you can cut, rotate, or join videos.
• Select the output format, preferably AVI or MP4.
• You can pick from a ready preset or custom create one.
• Click Convert to transform the MKV file into the selected format.

In a few minutes, you will have the converted file that you can watch later offline or upload it.

Price: Free

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#2) Handbrake

If you are looking for answers to how to open mkv files on Mac, we have the answer here. Mac users can use Handbrake. It is a little complicated as compared to Freemake. But it is not that difficult to use.

Steps to Convert MKV to MP4 or AVI with Handbrake:

• Download and install Handbrake on Mac.
• Launch it.
• Go to the Open Source button to add files, or drag and drop the .mkv file.

• Pick the output format, preferably MP4, and a ready preset if you need it.

• Now go to the Audio and Subtitles tabs to select the tracks you want to keep for future files.

• You can also customize Codec, Framerate, bitrate, etc.
• Click Start to run the process of conversion.

In some time, you will have the converted MKV file.

Price: Free

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#3) VLC

We know that the VLC player can play almost any video format. Also, it can convert them to a more universal format like MP4. You can use it for almost all the platforms.

Convert MKV to MP4 with VLC:

• Download and install VLC from its official site.
• Open VLC and go to the Media Tab. You will find it in the upper-left corner.
• From the dropdown menu select Convert/Save.

• Now click on the Add button and find the file you want to convert.
• Select the .mkv file you want to convert, then hit the Convert/Save button. You will find it at the bottom of the window. See the video here.
• In the Profile section, select Video – H.264 + MP3 (MP4).

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• Now select Edit selected profile icon.
• Go to the Encapsulation tab and select MP4/MOV.

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• Check both Video and keep the original video track on the video codec tab.
• Do the same for the audio codec tab.
• Click Save.
• Under the Destination option, specify where you want to save the output.
• Click Start.

Your video will be ready in some time.

Price: Free

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#4) CloudConvert

If you would rather not download any program and want to convert MKV to MP4 Online, you can convert MKV to MP4 online. Many websites offer you this service. Cloudconvert is one of the best options available.

Convert MKV to MP4 using CloudConvert:

• Open the website from here and Signup.
• Go to Convert. In the first box, select MKV, and in the other select MP4. You can also use it to convert MP4 to MKV.

• Then go to the Select File option and select the file you want to convert.
• You can customize the Options.

• Then click on Start Conversion.

Your file will be ready to download and use in a while.

Price: Free

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#5) Wondershare Uniconverter

If you are a Media Player fan, you will need to convert the MKV file to a format it supports to open and play it, since Media Player doesn’t support the MKV format. For this purpose, you can use Wondershare Uniconverter for both Windows and Mac.

Converting MKV File To Media Player Supported format:

• Launch Wondershare Uniconverter.
• Click on the Add File icon on the toolbar.

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• Now, go to the folder with your MKV file.
• Click Open to import the file or just drag-and-drop the file.
• Go to the Output Format option.

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• From the dropdown menu, select a format that Media Player supports, like WMV.
• Click on the Start All button to start the conversion.

In a while, you will get the file in the selected format. You can then open it in the Media Player.

Price: You can use the free trial version, but it isn’t much help. You can buy the Annual Plan for one year, one PC at $29.95. Or, you can go for its Perpetual Plan, which is for one PC for a lifetime and is available at $45.96. Its Business Plan is available for $161.91 for 2 Pcs. For over 2 PCs, the price will vary.

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#6) HitPaw Edimakor

Not every video application or device is compatible with the MKV format, especially mobile devices. For this purpose, you can’t miss HitPaw Edimakor if you want to join MP4 or VAI files effortlessly. Edimakor is a powerful yet intuitive video converter that seamlessly addresses your conversion needs, available for Windows and Mac.

Steps to Convert MKV to MP4 or AVI with HitPaw Edimakor:

• Download and install HitPaw Edimakor in your system.
• Choose “Create a video”.
• Select  “Import Files”  from the Media section.

• Click on “Export” button at the top right corner.

• Go to the Output Format option.

• Select a format supported by your media player from the drop-down menu, such as MP4/AVI.
• Click on Export button to start the conversion.

Price: You can use the free trial version.

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FAQs About MKV File

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Conclusion

MKV file format might not be that popular, but they are quite useful in some places. And they are future-safe as well. There are many ways to open an MKV file like using an MKV player, use a VLC player, download codecs, or convert them into a more readable format.

However, using a VLC media player is one of the best options as it is a cross-platform application and is easy to use. Also, people are well versed in using it. You can simply use it to run an MKV file, and if not, you can use it to convert the format into MP4 or AVI format.

So, next time when you come across the MKV file format, don’t be confused. You have many ways to handle it. If one doesn’t work, go to another. But always remember to keep the original untouched, in case something goes wrong. You wouldn’t want to lose the file forever, would you?

Research Process

• To write this article, we tested opening and playing MKV files ourselves using different devices and media players to see what actually works. We also looked at the common problems people run into and explained the solutions in a simple way.
• Total Time Taken to research and publish this guide: 30 Hours (Approx)  

For more video file-related guides, you can explore our range of tutorials below:

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