MX Player Stuck On Loading or Buffering Local Videos: Fix Guide

MX Player is usually fast with local files, so when a video sits on “Loading” or buffers endlessly, it almost always points to a specific bottleneck: the file itself, storage access, decoding settings, or device resources. This guide walks through the most reliable fixes for Android phones and tablets (and the common edge cases) so you can get local videos playing smoothly again.

1. Confirm It Is Truly a “Local Playback” Problem.

Before changing settings, quickly isolate whether MX Player is struggling with the file, the device, or MX Player’s configuration. The goal is to avoid chasing the wrong cause (for example, network issues when you are actually playing a stream).

1.1 Verify You Are Opening a Local File (Not a Stream)

MX Player can open network streams and cloud links that look like files. If the video came from a messaging app or cloud drive, it may still be streaming. To confirm:

• Open the video from a file manager app (for example, “Files” or your OEM file manager), not from a chat app.
• Check the file path. Local files typically look like /storage/emulated/0/Movies/ or an SD card path.
• If you see a URL (http/https) anywhere, you are not playing a purely local file.

1.2 Test the Same File in Another Player

This one step saves time. If the file also fails in another reputable player, the file is likely corrupted or encoded in a way your device cannot decode smoothly.

• Try Google Photos playback (if it recognizes the file).
• Try VLC for Android (a strong baseline because it includes broad software decoding support).

1.3 Test a Different Known-Good Local Video

Use a video you know plays smoothly (for example, a camera recording). If that video plays fine in MX Player but the problematic file does not, focus on file format, corruption, or encoding complexity rather than MX Player’s global settings.

2. Fix the Most Common Cause: Storage Access and Permissions.

On modern Android versions, media access rules and “scoped storage” can cause apps to hang when they cannot read a file properly, especially from SD cards, USB drives, or restricted folders. This can look like infinite loading.

2.1 Re-Grant Permissions (Especially After Android Updates)

If permissions were changed, MX Player may keep trying to open a file path it can no longer read.

1. Go to Settings > Apps > MX Player > Permissions.
2. Allow Photos and videos (and Music and audio if shown).
3. If your Android version shows Files and media access, ensure it is enabled.
4. Force close MX Player and reopen the file from a file manager.

If MX Player supports it on your device, you may also see prompts to grant access to a folder using Android’s system file picker. Approve the folder where your videos live (Movies, Downloads, SD card directory).

2.2 Move the Video Out of Restricted Locations

Some folders can be problematic due to Android’s storage restrictions or because another app “owns” the content location.

• Avoid playing directly from app-private directories (for example, certain messaging app folders).
• Copy the file into Movies or Download and try again.
• If the file is on an SD card, copy it temporarily to internal storage to test whether the SD card is the bottleneck.

2.3 If You Use an SD Card, Check Card Health and Format Compatibility

Slow or failing SD cards can cause read stalls that look like buffering. Also, SD cards formatted with certain file systems may have compatibility or performance quirks depending on device firmware.

• Try playing the same file from internal storage. If it becomes smooth, the SD card is likely the issue.
• Check free space on the SD card. Very low space can reduce performance in some scenarios.
• Back up important files and consider reformatting the SD card in the phone (this matches the device’s preferred format and settings).

3. Clear Cache, Reset Stuck Indexes, and Restart the App Cleanly.

Sometimes the file is fine, but MX Player’s cache, thumbnail database, or playback history gets into a bad state. Clearing cache is low risk and often fixes “stuck loading” after updates.

3.1 Clear Cache (Not Data) First

1. Go to Settings > Apps > MX Player > Storage.
2. Tap Clear cache.
3. Open MX Player and retry the same file.

Clearing cache generally does not remove downloads or your files, but it can remove temporary app data that might be causing the loop.

3.2 Force Stop and Reopen

If the app is stuck in a background loop, force stopping ensures a fresh start.

1. Settings > Apps > MX Player.
2. Tap Force stop.
3. Reopen MX Player and play the video again.

3.3 If Needed, Clear Storage (Data) Only After Backing Up Settings

Clearing data is a stronger reset and can help if configuration files are corrupted. It can also remove preferences, history, and some in-app settings.

1. Note your important MX Player settings (decoder preferences, subtitle settings, etc.).
2. Settings > Apps > MX Player > Storage.
3. Tap Clear storage (or Clear data).
4. Open MX Player, re-grant permissions, and test playback.

4. Switch Decoders: Hardware, Hardware+, and Software.

For local videos, “buffering” often means the decoder cannot keep up, not that the file is streaming. MX Player supports different decoding paths. A video may fail on hardware decode but play perfectly on software decode, or vice versa.

4.1 Try Software Decoding for Troublesome Files

Software decoding uses the CPU more heavily, but it can handle files that your device’s hardware decoder cannot (or cannot handle reliably).

1. Open the video in MX Player.
2. Open the playback menu and look for Decoder options.
3. Select SW (software) decoding and test.

If the video plays with SW but not HW, the file likely uses a codec profile, level, or container feature that your hardware decoder struggles with.

4.2 Try Hardware+ (HW+) If You Have Audio or Seeking Issues

HW+ is MX Player’s enhanced hardware pipeline on some devices. It can improve compatibility with certain containers and seeking behavior.

• If HW gets stuck loading, try HW+.
• If HW+ stutters or desyncs audio, try HW or SW.

4.3 Watch Device Temperature and Background Load

Software decode can “fix” loading but still stutter if your CPU is throttling. If you notice buffering after a few minutes:

• Pause other heavy apps (games, camera uploads, backup/sync).
• Let the device cool down, remove thick cases temporarily, and keep the screen brightness moderate.
• Restart the phone to clear runaway background processes.

5. Handle Codec and Format Edge Cases (HEVC, 10-bit, High Bitrate, Variable Frame Rate).

Some local videos are genuinely hard to decode in real time, especially on older devices. You might see long “loading” times, stuttering that feels like buffering, or frequent pauses during playback.

5.1 Identify the Codec and Bit Depth

Common high-demand cases include:

• HEVC (H.265) on older phones without HEVC hardware decode.
• 10-bit HEVC (often labeled Main10) which is harder for many devices.
• 4K at high bitrate, even in H.264, on midrange hardware.
• Unusual audio codecs inside the file (can cause long starts or no audio).

If MX Player shows media info, check the codec. Otherwise, use a tool like MediaInfo on a computer to confirm what you are dealing with.

5.2 If Only One or Two Files Fail, Assume File-Specific Problems

When a single file hangs at “Loading,” these are common explanations:

• The file is partially downloaded or truncated.
• The container index (often in MP4/MKV) is damaged, making seeking and start-up slow.
• The file was encoded with settings beyond the device’s hardware limits (level too high, too many reference frames, etc.).

Re-copy the file from the original source. If it was transferred via USB or messaging, transfer again using a different method and compare file size.

5.3 Practical Fix: Remux or Re-encode for Compatibility

If the file is valid but too demanding, you have two realistic options:

• Remux (repackage) into a different container without re-encoding. This can fix index issues in some cases and is fast.
• Re-encode to a more compatible format. H.264 in MP4 with AAC audio is widely supported and usually smooth.

On a PC, tools like FFmpeg or HandBrake are commonly used for this. Re-encoding takes time and reduces quality slightly at the same bitrate, but it can transform an unplayable file into a smooth one on your phone.

6. Fix Audio-Related “Loading” (Decoder Waiting on Audio Track).

Sometimes video decoding is fine, but MX Player appears stuck because it struggles with the audio track. This is more common with certain surround formats or unusual audio codecs.

6.1 Test by Disabling Audio Temporarily

If MX Player has an option to toggle audio track selection:

• Try switching to another audio track (if available).
• If there is only one track, test the file in another player to confirm whether audio is the trigger.

If the file plays in another app but not MX Player, it suggests a compatibility issue in the specific MX Player build or decoder configuration.

6.2 Bluetooth and Audio Output Issues

Rarely, audio routing problems can look like playback hangs.

• Turn off Bluetooth and try playing through the phone speaker.
• Disconnect USB-C hubs and external DACs during testing.
• Toggle “Do Not Disturb” off and on if your device is in an unusual audio state.

7. Update MX Player, Android System Components, and WebView.

Even for local playback, app updates and system media components matter. Bugs in a specific version can cause loading loops on certain chipsets or Android versions.

7.1 Update MX Player from the Official Store

Install the latest stable version available for your device. If the issue began immediately after an update, also consider:

• Checking if a newer update already fixed it.
• Rolling back only if you can do so safely and from a trusted source, and only if you understand the security tradeoffs.

7.2 Update Android System WebView and Media Components

Some apps rely on system components for parts of their UI and rendering. Keeping these updated can prevent weird hangs.

• Update Android System WebView (if present) and Google Chrome via the Play Store.
• Install pending Android updates, especially security and media framework fixes.

8. Fix “Buffering” That Is Actually Slow Storage or File Transfer Issues.

Local playback should not buffer like streaming, but it can pause repeatedly if the phone cannot read the file fast enough or if the file is being written while you are trying to play it.

8.1 Make Sure the File Is Fully Copied

If you transferred the video from a computer, confirm the copy completed before playback:

• Compare file sizes between source and phone.
• If you used a cloud sync app, wait until it finishes downloading.
• Avoid playing directly from “in progress” downloads.

8.2 Avoid Playing from OTG Drives While the Phone Is Busy

USB OTG drives can be slower or less stable depending on the adapter and power draw.

• Copy the video to internal storage first as a test.
• Use a high-quality OTG adapter and avoid loose connectors.

8.3 Free Up Storage and Memory

Low storage can affect performance, and low RAM can cause the player to restart decoding frequently.

• Keep a reasonable amount of free space on internal storage.
• Close heavy background apps.
• Restart the device if playback worsens over time.

9. Subtitles Can Cause Lag, Stalls, or Long Starts.

It surprises people, but complex subtitles can slow playback, especially on older devices or with high-resolution video.

9.1 Disable Subtitles to Test

1. Start playback (if it starts at all).
2. Turn subtitles off and observe whether buffering stops.

If disabling subtitles fixes the issue, the subtitle file may be huge or malformed, or it may be an image-based subtitle track that adds overhead.

9.2 Convert or Replace the Subtitle File

• Prefer simple .srt subtitles over extremely complex formats.
• If the subtitles are embedded (for example, in MKV), try an external .srt version.
• Ensure the subtitle encoding is correct (UTF-8 is a good default).

10. When Nothing Works: A Reliable Troubleshooting Checklist.

If you are still stuck in a loading loop, run this checklist in order. Each step narrows the cause without guesswork.

10.1 The Fast Checklist (10 Minutes)

1. Play a different local video in MX Player (known-good file).
2. Play the problem file in VLC (or another trusted player).
3. Copy the file to internal storage and retry.
4. Clear MX Player cache, then force stop.
5. Re-grant storage/media permissions.
6. Switch decoder: HW to HW+ to SW.
7. Disable subtitles and retry.
8. Restart the phone and retry.

10.2 What the Results Usually Mean

• If only one file fails everywhere, the file is likely corrupted or incomplete.
• If it fails only on SD card, suspect SD card speed, corruption, or access restrictions.
• If it works only on SW decode, suspect hardware decoder limitations with that codec profile/bitrate.
• If it fails only in MX Player but works in VLC, suspect MX Player settings, permissions, or an app-specific bug.

10.3 When to Consider Replacing the File

If you obtained the video from an unreliable source, or the file size differs from what it should be, replacing the file is often the quickest “fix.” Even a single missing chunk can cause a player to hang at the beginning or at specific timestamps.

11. Frequently Asked Questions.

11.1 Why Does MX Player “Buffer” a Local Video?

In local playback, “buffering” usually means the decoder pipeline is stalling. Common causes include slow storage (especially SD cards), a damaged file index, an unsupported codec profile, or the device being too busy or thermally throttled to decode in real time.

11.2 Should I Use HW, HW+, or SW?

• HW is typically best for efficiency and battery life when compatible.
• HW+ can improve compatibility and seeking for some files.
• SW is the fallback for maximum compatibility, but it uses more CPU and may heat the device.

11.3 Does Clearing Cache Delete My Videos?

Clearing cache should not delete your personal video files. It removes temporary app data. Clearing storage (data) resets the app and may remove preferences and app-managed downloads, depending on how the app stores them.

11.4 Why Does the Same Video Play on My PC but Not on My Phone?

PC players often have more powerful CPUs and broader codec support, and they are less constrained by mobile hardware decoders. Phones may fail on high-bitrate 4K, 10-bit HEVC, or files encoded beyond the device’s hardware decode limits.

Citations

• Android Developers. Storage updates and app access to files (scoped storage overview). (Android Developers)
• Android Developers. Requesting app permissions (runtime permissions behavior). (Android Developers)
• VLC for Android. VLC features and broad codec support (software decoding capability). (VideoLAN)
• HandBrake Documentation. Open-source transcoder used to re-encode videos for compatibility. (HandBrake)
• FFmpeg Documentation. Tools for remuxing and re-encoding media files. (FFmpeg)