MX Player Audio Plays but No Video on HEVC H.265: How to Fix

You hit play in MX Player, the audio starts immediately, but the screen stays black (or shows a frozen frame) when the file is HEVC/H.265. This is one of the most common Android playback failures because HEVC support depends on a mix of phone hardware, Android codec support, MX Player’s decoder mode, and sometimes an external codec pack. The good news is that you can usually fix it in minutes once you identify whether the problem is hardware decoding, missing/unsupported codecs, or an incompatible HEVC variant (like 10-bit).

1. Why MX Player Plays Audio but Shows No Video on HEVC

When you get audio-only playback, it usually means the container (like MP4 or MKV) is readable and the audio track decodes fine, but the video track fails to decode or render. With HEVC/H.265, that failure commonly happens for one of these reasons: the device cannot hardware-decode the specific HEVC stream, the app is using an incompatible decoder path, or the HEVC stream uses features the phone does not support (such as 10-bit color).

1.1 Hardware Decoder Limitations (Most Common Cause)

Many Android devices can decode HEVC only in hardware, only up to certain levels, and sometimes only for specific bit depths. If MX Player tries to use a hardware decoder that does not fully support the file, you may see a black screen while audio continues.

• HEVC 10-bit (Main10) is a frequent trigger. Some devices support 8-bit HEVC but not 10-bit.
• High resolutions and high bitrates (for example, 4K HEVC at high frame rate) can exceed the decoder’s capability.
• HEVC level and profile mismatches can prevent decoding even if “HEVC” is broadly supported.

1.2 MX Player Decoder Mode Mismatch (HW, HW+, SW)

MX Player can play video using different decoding paths. If it chooses an unsuitable path for your device and file, video can fail while audio still plays.

• HW decoder: uses Android’s hardware codecs. Fast and efficient, but limited by what the device supports.
• HW+: MX Player’s enhanced hardware pipeline for some formats. Sometimes it helps, sometimes it breaks playback on certain devices/streams.
• SW decoder: software decoding. More compatible in many cases, but slower and may stutter on high-resolution HEVC.

1.3 Missing or Unsupported HEVC Codec (Especially on Older Android)

Android’s platform support for HEVC improved significantly over time. On older devices or certain Android builds, HEVC decoding may be missing, incomplete, or only available for specific apps. Historically, MX Player also changed how it distributed codecs due to licensing constraints, which is why many users rely on a separate custom codec package.

1.4 Your File Uses an HEVC Variant Your Device Does Not Support

“HEVC” is not one single thing. Your file may be HEVC, but with settings that exceed what your device can handle. Typical culprits include:

• 10-bit HEVC (Main10) on an 8-bit-only device
• 4K HDR HEVC on mid-range or older hardware
• Unusual frame rates (for example, 60 fps on older decoders)
• Corrupted video track or incomplete download

1.5 The Video Track Is Fine, But Rendering Fails

Sometimes decoding is not the issue. Rendering can fail due to device-specific GPU/overlay quirks, picture-in-picture conflicts, background display settings, or bugs in a particular app version. In those cases, switching decoder mode or turning off certain display options can bring video back.

2. Quick Fix Checklist (Do These First)

Before you go deep, try the fastest fixes. These solve a large percentage of “audio but no video” HEVC issues.

2.1 Update MX Player and Restart Your Phone

Start with the basics because decoding bugs do get fixed. Update MX Player to the latest version available to you, then fully restart your phone to clear any stuck codec services.

• Update MX Player
• Force close MX Player
• Restart the device
• Try the same file again

2.2 Switch Decoder Mode While the Video Is Playing

MX Player lets you switch decoders during playback. If you see a black screen, start the video, open the menu, and change the decoder.

1. Open the file in MX Player.
2. Tap the on-screen menu (usually the three dots).
3. Look for decoder options such as HW, HW+, or SW.
4. Try SW first if HW is black-screening.
5. If SW works but stutters, try HW+ or reduce performance load (close apps, lower brightness, etc.).

If software decoding shows video, you have confirmed that the file is likely valid, but hardware decoding is failing on that stream.

2.3 Toggle Hardware Acceleration Settings

If switching decoder on the fly is not enough, change the setting globally. In many MX Player builds, you can adjust hardware acceleration behavior in settings (names vary slightly by version).

• Disable HW+ and test
• Enable HW and test
• Try SW as a fallback for HEVC

After each change, reopen the video file (do not just resume) to ensure the decoder pipeline reinitializes.

2.4 Clear Cache (Not Data) for MX Player

A corrupted cache can cause strange playback behavior. Clearing cache is low-risk and quick.

1. Android Settings
2. Apps
3. MX Player
4. Storage
5. Clear Cache

Try the file again. If the issue began after an update, cache corruption is a realistic possibility.

3. Install the Right HEVC Codec for MX Player (If Needed)

If your MX Player build does not include the needed codecs, you may need an external or custom codec package. This is especially relevant if HEVC files consistently fail across multiple downloads that play fine in other apps. The exact availability and method depend on your MX Player version and distribution channel, but the general concept is the same: you install a codec package compatible with your device’s CPU architecture.

3.1 Identify Your Phone’s CPU Architecture (ARMv7, ARM64, x86)

Codec packages are architecture-specific. Installing the wrong one typically does nothing or fails to load.

• ARM64 (arm64-v8a): most modern Android phones
• ARMv7 (armeabi-v7a): many older or low-end phones
• x86 / x86_64: some Intel-based tablets and emulators

If you do not know your architecture, you can usually find it in device specs, or by using a trusted system information app. Once you know it, use the matching codec package for MX Player.

3.2 Confirm MX Player Recognizes the Codec

After installing a codec package, MX Player usually shows the codec version in its decoder settings or “About” section. If MX Player does not detect it, common reasons include:

• The codec package is for the wrong CPU architecture
• The codec package is built for a different MX Player version family
• Your Android version blocks the package from loading

If the codec is detected, retry the HEVC file.

3.3 If You Are Using a Community Codec, Use a Reputable Source

Some users get custom codecs from community forums. Only use well-known threads with clear versioning, checksums, and long-standing maintainers. If you cannot verify provenance, do not install it. Codec packs can be a malware risk when downloaded from random file sites.

4. Diagnose the Exact HEVC Stream (8-bit vs 10-bit, HDR, Level)

If you want a reliable fix instead of trial-and-error, identify what kind of HEVC your file uses. Two files can both say “H.265” and behave very differently.

4.1 Check If the File Is 10-bit HEVC (Main10)

If the file is HEVC Main10 and your device only supports 8-bit HEVC in hardware, hardware decoding can fail. Software decoding may work (depending on CPU power), or you may need to convert the file.

• If SW decoding works: you can watch it, but battery use may be higher.
• If SW decoding also fails or is too slow: converting to 8-bit H.264 or 8-bit HEVC is the practical fix.

4.2 HDR and Color Format Issues

HDR HEVC content (often from UHD sources) can be harder to play correctly depending on the display pipeline. Even if audio works, video may fail to render if the device cannot handle the HDR format or color transfer characteristics through the selected decoder path.

In these cases, switching between HW, HW+, and SW is worth trying. If only SW works, consider converting the file to SDR for consistent playback.

4.3 Confirm the File Is Not Corrupted

Audio-only playback can also happen with a damaged video track. A few practical checks:

• Try the same file in another player (for example, VLC). If it also fails, suspect the file.
• If you downloaded it, re-download from the original source.
• Test a different HEVC file. If other HEVC files play fine, the issue is likely file-specific.

5. Settings That Often Fix Black Screen in MX Player

MX Player versions vary, but these are common settings that can resolve video rendering issues when the decoder technically works.

5.1 Disable Background Playback and Picture-in-Picture Features

Some device skins and Android versions behave oddly when video tries to use overlays while the app is partially backgrounded. Temporarily disable background play or picture-in-picture style behavior (if enabled), then test playback again.

5.2 Turn Off “Hardware Acceleration” for Problem Files Only

If you only see the problem on certain files, the best approach is often:

1. Use HW decoding for most videos (better battery and smoothness).
2. Switch to SW decoding only for the HEVC files that black-screen.

This avoids turning your phone into a space heater for videos that do not need software decoding.

5.3 Check Subtitle and Display Options

It is less common, but certain subtitle renderers or display options can trigger glitches on some devices. As a test:

• Disable subtitles
• Try a different subtitle format
• Reset display-related settings to defaults

If video appears after disabling subtitles, the file might have malformed subtitle tracks or a rendering conflict.

6. If Nothing Works: Convert the File (Guaranteed Fix)

If the file uses an HEVC profile your device cannot decode, conversion is the most reliable solution. You are essentially creating a version that matches your device’s capabilities.

6.1 Convert HEVC to H.264 for Maximum Compatibility

H.264 (AVC) is still the most universally supported codec across Android devices and players. The tradeoff is larger file size for the same quality compared to HEVC.

• Choose H.264 if you want the highest chance that it plays everywhere.
• Choose a reasonable bitrate to avoid huge files.

6.2 Convert 10-bit HEVC to 8-bit HEVC (If You Want Smaller Files)

If your goal is to keep HEVC efficiency but your device cannot handle 10-bit, convert Main10 to 8-bit HEVC. This often fixes black screen issues while keeping file sizes smaller than H.264.

6.3 Use Trusted Tools and Keep an Original Copy

Popular options include desktop encoders and command-line tools. The important operational advice is:

• Keep the original file until you verify the converted file plays correctly.
• If the source is HDR and you convert to SDR, expect a different look unless tone mapping is handled properly.

7. Troubleshooting Table: Symptom to Fix

Use this quick mapping to reduce guesswork.

8. Frequently Asked Questions

8.1 Why Does VLC Play the Same HEVC File but MX Player Does Not?

Different players rely on different decoding stacks. VLC commonly uses its own software decoding pipeline across platforms, while MX Player may depend more on Android’s hardware codecs depending on settings and version. That means VLC can sometimes play a file in software even when the device’s hardware decoder fails.

8.2 Does HEVC Always Require Hardware Decoding on Android?

No, but for high-resolution HEVC, hardware decoding is often necessary for smooth playback and acceptable battery use. Software decoding can work for some files, especially at 720p or lower bitrates, but it depends heavily on your CPU.

8.3 Is This an MX Player Bug or My Phone’s Limitation?

It can be either. If switching to SW makes the video appear, your phone likely cannot hardware-decode that specific HEVC stream. If the file plays in other players using hardware and MX Player consistently fails even after updates and settings changes, it may be an MX Player-specific issue on your device model or Android build.

8.4 What Is the Most Reliable Fix If I Need the Video to Play Today?

Use SW decoding if it plays smoothly enough. If not, convert the file to H.264. That combination is the most reliable way to eliminate HEVC compatibility variables quickly.

9. A Practical Step-by-Step Path That Works for Most People

If you want a simple sequence that usually resolves this without getting lost in settings, follow this order:

1. Update MX Player and restart your phone.
2. Play the file and switch decoders: HW, then HW+, then SW.
3. If SW works, decide whether performance is acceptable.
4. If nothing works for HEVC files, verify whether your MX Player setup needs an additional codec package and ensure you have the correct CPU architecture.
5. If the file is likely Main10/HDR and your device is older, convert to H.264 for guaranteed compatibility.
6. If only one file fails, re-download it or test for corruption.

This approach is fast, safe, and based on the real reasons HEVC fails: decoder capability and stream compatibility.

Citations

• Android supported media formats documentation. (Android Developers)
• High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC/H.265) overview and profiles. (ITU)
• MediaCodec API (Android hardware codec framework). (Android Developers)
• MX Player custom codec discussion and downloads (community-maintained). (XDA Developers)
• FFmpeg project documentation (widely used for video conversion). (FFmpeg)