AVI (Audio Video Interleave) is one of the oldest and most common video formats. While Windows 11 comes with built-in tools to play videos, sometimes AVI files may not open properly due to missing codecs or unsupported players. Don’t worry — in this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to play AVI files on Windows 11 quickly and safely.

Table of Contents

Why AVI Files Might Not Play on Windows 11

Windows 11’s default media player, Movies & TV, supports most popular formats like MP4 and WMV, but AVI files can sometimes fail due to:

Missing codecs
Corrupt AVI file
Outdated media player
Unsupported compression format

Step 1: Try the Built-in Movies & TV App

Right-click your AVI file → choose Open with
Select Movies & TV
If it plays, you’re done!

⚠ If the file doesn’t play or shows an error, proceed to the next steps.

Step 2: Install VLC Media Player (Recommended)

VLC Media Player is free, lightweight, and supports almost every video format, including AVI.

How to Install VLC

Go to the official VLC website
Download the Windows version
Run the installer and follow on-screen instructions

Play AVI Files with VLC

Open VLC → Click Media → Open File
Select your AVI file → Click Open
Your AVI video should play smoothly

Step 3: Update Windows 11 and Codecs

Sometimes AVI files fail because Windows is missing the correct codec.

Press Win + I → go to Windows Update
Check for updates and install any pending updates
For additional codecs, you can install K-Lite Codec Pack (lightweight and safe)

After installing, restart your PC and try opening the AVI file again.

Step 4: Use an Alternative Media Player

If VLC isn’t your preference, other reliable players include:

KMPlayer – Great for older formats
PotPlayer – Lightweight with advanced settings
GOM Player – Built-in codec finder

All of these players can play AVI files without extra configuration.

Step 5: Convert AVI to a Compatible Format (Optional)

If you still can’t play the AVI, you can convert it to MP4, which is universally supported.

Download a free converter like HandBrake
Open the AVI file in HandBrake
Choose MP4 as the output format
Click Start Encode

After conversion, the file should play in Movies & TV without any issues.

Tips for Smooth Playback

Ensure your graphics drivers are up to date
Close unnecessary programs to free up system resources
Avoid corrupted AVI files by downloading from trusted sources only

Final Thoughts

Playing AVI files on Windows 11 is simple once you have the right tools. While the built-in Movies & TV app works for some files, VLC Media Player or installing the necessary codecs ensures all AVI files play without errors. You can also convert AVI to MP4 for maximum compatibility.

With these steps, you’ll never face a video playback problem on Windows 11 again.

How to Play AVI Files on Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide