A quick answer: if Movies & TV not working in Windows 10, the cause is usually one of eight common issues — from app corruption and missing codecs to driver, DRM or network problems — and each has a clear fix you can follow below. This article explains the typical causes and gives step‑by‑step solutions so you can get playback, rentals, and streaming working again.
You’ll learn what to try first, how to reset or reinstall the app, how to fix drivers and codecs, how to repair system files, and when to collect information for Microsoft support.
Key Takeaway
The fastest reliable fix for most problems is to reset or reinstall the Movies & TV app, update Windows and your audio/video drivers, and make sure required codecs/DRM components are installed; use the step‑by‑step commands and Settings paths below if a simple reset doesn’t help.
Quick Fix Guide
Quick Fix Guide
| Reason for the Problem | Quick Solution |
|---|---|
| 1. App corruption or buggy update | Reset or reinstall Movies & TV via Settings > Apps or PowerShell. |
| 2. Outdated or broken graphics/audio drivers | Update GPU and audio drivers from Device Manager or vendor site. |
| 3. Missing codecs / HEVC or DRM issues | Install HEVC/codec package from Microsoft Store and ensure time/account settings are correct. |
| 4. Wrong file association or default app | Set Movies & TV as default for media files in Settings > Apps > Default apps. |
| 5. App permissions or privacy settings | Enable required permissions in Settings > Privacy and app Advanced options. |
| 6. Streaming or network problems | Test network, sign out/in Microsoft Store, and run Windows Store Apps troubleshooter. |
| 7. System file corruption or Windows Store issues | Run SFC, DISM, and wsreset.exe, then reinstall the app. |
| 8. User profile or conflict with third‑party codecs | Test in a new user account and disable/remove third‑party codec packs. |
Detailed Fixes for “Movies & TV not working in Windows 10”
1. App corruption or buggy update
Why it causes the problem
- App files or local data can become corrupted during updates or crashes, causing crashes, freezes, or failure to launch.
Step-by-step solution
- Open Settings > Apps > Apps & features.
- Find Movies & TV (may appear as Films & TV in non‑English locales), click it, then Advanced options.
- Click Repair first and test playback. If that fails, click Reset (this clears app data).
- If Reset doesn’t help, reinstall:
- Open PowerShell as Administrator: right‑click Start → Windows PowerShell (Admin).
- Uninstall: Get-AppxPackage ZuneVideo | Remove-AppxPackage
- Reinstall from the Microsoft Store: open Microsoft Store, search Movies & TV, and install.
- Or re-register via PowerShell (if needed):
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers ZuneVideo | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml”}
Notes/tips
- Use Repair first because Reset removes app settings and sign‑in info.
- The package name may vary by locale; wildcard ZuneVideo generally matches.
2. Outdated or broken graphics / audio drivers
Why it causes the problem
- Video playback depends on GPU and audio drivers; outdated or corrupted drivers can cause stuttering, black video, or no audio.
Step-by-step solution
- Press Win + X → Device Manager.
- Expand Display adapters, right‑click your GPU, choose Update driver → Search automatically for updated driver software.
- Repeat for Sound, video and game controllers.
- If automatic search finds nothing, download drivers from the vendor: NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel for GPU; manufacturer site for laptop audio drivers.
- After updating, restart the PC and test playback.
- If problems started after a driver update, roll back: right‑click driver → Properties > Driver > Roll Back Driver.
Notes/tips
- For older devices, the vendor’s site can provide WHQL signed drivers that work better than generic Windows updates.
- Use Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) in safe mode only if a clean driver install is required (advanced).
3. Missing codecs / HEVC and DRM issues
Why it causes the problem
- Movies & TV relies on Windows codecs and the HEVC extension for some file types; DRM content requires valid licenses, correct time, and a signed‑in Microsoft account.
Step-by-step solution
- Try opening the same file in VLC—if VLC plays it, you likely need codecs for Movies & TV.
- Install the HEVC extension: open Microsoft Store, search HEVC Video Extensions (or HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufacturer) and install.
- For DRM playback (rented/purchased content):
- Open Settings > Time & Language > Date & time and enable Set time automatically.
- Open Microsoft Store, check you’re signed in with the account used to buy/rent the content.
- If Movies & TV reports a license error, open Microsoft Store > Library > Downloads and updates and update the app and Store.
Notes/tips
- Some HEVC packages are paid; a free alternative is to use a third‑party player (VLC) that includes codecs.
- DRM content may refuse to play on virtual machines or if system date/time is wrong.
4. Wrong file associations or default app
Why it causes the problem
- If another app is set as the default for video files, Windows might not launch Movies & TV or may use an incompatible handler.
Step-by-step solution
- Go to Settings > Apps > Default apps.
- Under Video player, choose Movies & TV.
- To change by file type, scroll down and click Choose default apps by file type, find .mp4, .mkv, .avi, and set Movies & TV as needed.
Notes/tips
- For some formats (.mkv) Movies & TV native support may be limited—consider installing HEVC or using VLC.
5. App permissions or privacy settings blocking playback
Why it causes the problem
- Movies & TV may need access to Filesystem, Microphone, or Background apps to play certain content properly or to function without restriction.
Step-by-step solution
- Open Settings > Privacy.
- Check Background apps and ensure Movies & TV is allowed (if needed).
- For folder access problems, open Settings > Apps > Apps & features > Movies & TV > Advanced options and ensure it has permission to run in background and is allowed to access files.
Notes/tips
- Denying permissions rarely blocks simple playback, but can interfere with features like downloads or streaming authentication.
6. Streaming or network problems
Why it causes the problem
- Network drops, firewall/proxy blocks, or Store/Account sign‑in issues prevent streaming or loading licensed content.
Step-by-step solution
- Confirm other internet services work (browser, Netflix app).
- Run the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter: Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters > Windows Store Apps > Run the troubleshooter.
- Sign out and back in to Microsoft Store: open Store → click profile → Sign out, then sign back in.
- Temporarily disable VPN or firewall and test; check your router or network restrictions.
- If streaming is slow, try wired Ethernet or reboot the router.
Notes/tips
- For corporate networks, proxies or content filters may block DRM servers; test on a different network.
7. System file corruption or Windows Store issues
Why it causes the problem
- Corrupt system files, missing Store components, or damaged app package registries can break the app.
Step-by-step solution
- Run System File Checker:
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator (right‑click Start → Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin)).
- Run: sfc /scannow
- If SFC reports issues, run DISM:
- DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
- Reset Store cache: press Win + R, type wsreset.exe, hit Enter.
- After repairs, restart and test Movies & TV again.
Notes/tips
- DISM needs internet access to download repair files. These commands can take several minutes.
8. User profile conflicts or third‑party codec packs
Why it causes the problem
- Profile corruption or third‑party codec packs can conflict with the Store app or change system behavior.
Step-by-step solution
- Create a new local user:
- Settings > Accounts > Family & other users > Add someone else to this PC.
- Create a test local account and sign in.
- Launch Movies & TV in the new account; if it works, the original user profile is likely problematic.
- Uninstall any third‑party codec packs (K-Lite, Shark007, etc.) via Control Panel > Programs and Features and reboot.
- If third‑party codecs are required, reinstall only the components you need or use a third‑party player instead.
Notes/tips
- Avoid installing system‑wide codec packs unless necessary; they frequently cause app conflicts.
Advanced tips and when to seek help
- Safe boot / Clean boot: If playback issues persist, perform a clean boot to rule out startup programs: msconfig > Services > Hide Microsoft services > Disable all, then restart. If the app works, re-enable services one by one.
- Collect logs for Microsoft support: reproduce the problem, then open Event Viewer (eventvwr.msc) → Windows Logs > Application and look for errors from ZuneVideo or AppX; export those logs to provide to support.
- Use an alternative player: If you need immediate playback and Movies & TV won’t work, use VLC Media Player (plays almost any format, free).
- Restore point or in-place upgrade: If system corruption is severe, consider a System Restore point or an in‑place repair install of Windows 10 using the Media Creation Tool (keeps apps and files).
FAQ
What if Movies & TV shows “No supported video format found”?
Try installing the HEVC Video Extensions from the Microsoft Store; also test the file in VLC to confirm format compatibility.
Will resetting or reinstalling Movies & TV delete purchased or rented movies?
No — purchased/rented content is linked to your Microsoft account, not the app data. After reinstall, sign into the same Microsoft account to re‑access purchases.
Can I use another app instead of Movies & TV and keep Windows features?
Yes — apps like VLC or MPC‑HC are fully capable video players; they won’t integrate with the Microsoft Store rentals, but they handle most file formats without additional codecs.
How do I fix audio and video being out of sync?
Update audio and GPU drivers, try disabling hardware acceleration (if available), and test in another player (VLC) to see if it’s app‑specific. If it’s system wide, reinstall audio drivers or try changing audio output format in Sound Control Panel > Playback device > Properties > Advanced.
Is there a way to automatically keep Movies & TV and codecs updated?
Yes — keep Windows Update enabled: Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update; also allow automatic app updates in Microsoft Store > Settings > App updates.
Conclusion
Most playback and launch problems are solved by resetting or reinstalling the app, updating Windows and drivers, and ensuring codecs/DRM components are present. Use the step‑by‑step procedures above to diagnose and repair the specific cause behind Movies & TV not working in Windows 10; if the issue persists, collect logs and contact Microsoft support for deeper troubleshooting.
