Movie/Video Doesn't Play in PowerPoint 2007

There are many reasons why your movie file may not play. Below are some things to check. Before trying these, you may want to verify that your movie file is on the list of PowerPoint compatible file formats.

• You sent your presentation through e-mail, and your recipient says the movies don't play. Movies files are always and are not part of your presentation. Copy the movie files into the same folder as the presentation. Then use the Package for CD feature to update the links and bundle the associated files. Or you can update the links manually. To do this, copy the movie files into the folder that contains the presentation, and then delete the movies and add them back.
• You shared your presentation or copied it to a network file server, and the movies don't play now. Movie files are always and are not part of your presentation. Move or copy the movie files to the same folder as the presentation or to the network file server. Then use the Package for CD feature to update the links and bundle the associated files. Or you can update the links manually. To do this, copy the movie files into the folder that contains the presentation, and then delete the movies and add them back.
• You copied your presentation to a CD, and now the movie doesn't play on a different computer. Copy the movie files to the same folder as the presentation. Then use the Package for CD feature to update the links to the movie files, and copy the presentation again to the CD.
• You moved your movie files to a new location, and now when you run your presentation, the movie doesn't play. Movies files are always and are not part of your presentation. Copy the movie files to the same folder as the presentation. Then use the Package for CD feature to update the links and bundle the associated files. Or you can update the links manually. To do this, copy the movie files into the folder that contains the presentation, and then delete the movies and add them back.
• You cannot find and play your movie file. If the path name of the linked movie file exceeds 128 characters, Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007 cannot find and play it. Move or copy the movie file into the same folder as the presentation, and then delete the movie and add it back to update the link (path information).
• You inserted multiple movies or sounds, but only the top movie or sound is playing. Drag the movie icons or sound icons off each other and then try to play them.
• The movie file format is not supported in Office PowerPoint 2007. Try playing the movie outside of Office PowerPoint 2007 by using Microsoft Windows Media Player, which is part of Microsoft Windows. Start Windows Media Player and then use the File menu (you might have to maximize the window to see the File menu) to open and play your movie file in Windows Media Player. If the movie doesn't play, Windows Media Player gives you detailed error messages and a Help link that can help you troubleshoot the problem.

If the movie plays in Windows Media Player, you can insert it as a media clip in your presentation by doing the following:

1. On the Insert tab, in the Text group, click Object.

2. In the Object type list, click Create from file, and then enter the name of the movie file or click Browse.

Note A movie that you play in Office PowerPoint 2007 by using Windows Media Player cannot have animation settings and special timings assigned to it. Instead, you play it by clicking buttons in Windows Media Player.

If Office PowerPoint 2007 won't play your movie file either in Office PowerPoint 2007 or in Windows Media Player, try creating a hyperlink or action button on your slide and linking to a program that can play the movie file.

• Your movie file is listed as being compatible with PowerPoint, but your movie still doesn't play correctly. (See a list of PowerPoint compatible file formats.) Although your movie file may have the same file extension as one listed as being compatible, it may not play correctly if the correct version of the codec is not installed, or if the file has not been encoded in a format recognized by your version of Microsoft Windows. Encoding is the process of converting data into a stream of ones and zeros. Install the correct codec or re-encode the file.
• Your movie is captioned or subtitled. Office PowerPoint 2007 cannot play captioned or subtitled movies. To resolve the issue, try creating a hyperlink to the movie.
• Your movie plays as a white rectangle. The path name to the linked movie file exceeds 128 characters, and Office PowerPoint 2007 cannot find and play the movie. Move or copy the movie file into the same folder as the presentation, and then delete the movie and add it back to update the link (path information).
• Your movie plays as a black rectangle. This often indicates incompatible hardware acceleration. Try turning down your Hardware Acceleration setting, which is found in Control Panel.

If you are using dual monitors (sometimes called multiple monitors), make sure both monitors are set to the same screen resolution in Control Panel, or try to set both monitors to a lower screen resolution.

Note If you do not see your problem listed above, you can search the PSS Knowledge Base, post your question to the Microsoft Office Discussion Groups, or find answers from other users in the PowerPoint community.