MX Player Update Broke Playback: Rollback, Settings Reset, and Safer Fixes

Few things are more frustrating than updating MX Player and suddenly discovering your videos stutter, go black, lose audio, refuse to open, or crash the app entirely. Updates can change codec behavior, decoder defaults, subtitle rendering, permissions, and how MX Player interacts with your Android device’s hardware acceleration. The good news is that most “playback broke after update” cases can be fixed without guessing. This guide walks you through reliable rollback options, a clean settings reset, and safer fixes that preserve your device’s security.

1. What “Playback Broke” Usually Means After an MX Player Update.

When people say an update “broke playback,” they are usually seeing one (or more) of these symptoms:

• Videos play with audio only, but the screen is black.
• Videos stutter, drop frames, or desync audio and video.
• Some files play, but specific formats (often HEVC/H.265, 10-bit, or certain audio codecs) fail.
• Subtitles no longer render correctly, or cause crashes.
• Hardware decoding stops working, or software decoding becomes unstable.
• Files from SD card or USB storage stop opening due to permission changes.

MX Player relies on a combination of device hardware decoders and software decoding paths. Updates can change which path is selected by default, or expose device-specific decoder bugs. Also, Android itself evolves: storage permissions, media access rules, and background behavior differ across versions. If MX Player updated around the same time your phone updated Android, the root cause can be a combination of both.

1.1 The Most Common Root Causes

• Decoder path changed: Hardware decoder selection can shift between HW, HW+, and SW paths, and some devices behave differently per format.
• Corrupted app data: A bad migration of preferences or caches after updating can destabilize playback.
• Permission or storage access changes: If MX Player loses access to your folder, files may fail to open or appear missing.
• Codec capability mismatch: Some formats require capabilities your device does not support in hardware; software decoding may be required.
• Android WebView or system component changes: Less common for local playback, but can affect streaming, embedded content, or UI components.

1.2 Before You Start: Confirm It Is MX Player

Do two quick checks to avoid wasting time:

1. Try the same file in another player (for example, VLC). If it also fails, the file may be corrupted or encoded in an unusual way.
2. Try a known-good file (a video that previously played fine). If only one file fails, focus on that file’s codec and subtitles rather than MX Player generally.

If other players work and MX Player does not, proceed with the steps below in order, from least risky to most disruptive.

2. Safer Fixes First: Quick Checks That Often Restore Playback.

Start here if you want the best chance of fixing playback without losing settings or changing versions.

2.1 Force Stop and Reboot

This sounds basic, but it can clear stuck decoder states on some devices.

1. Open Settings on Android.
2. Go to Apps and select MX Player.
3. Tap Force stop.
4. Reopen MX Player and retry playback.

If playback is still broken, reboot the phone and try again. Reboots can reset hardware acceleration pipelines and audio routing.

2.2 Toggle Decoder Settings (HW, HW+, SW)

Many “black screen” or “no video” issues after updates come down to the wrong decoder path for your device and file type.

• Try software decoding for the failing file to test whether hardware decoding is the culprit.
• Try switching between HW and HW+ if your MX Player build offers both modes.
• Disable/enable hardware acceleration if there is an explicit toggle in your version.

Why this works: hardware decoders are device-specific, and some firmware versions have bugs that only show up for certain codec profiles. Software decoding is slower but can be more consistent for compatibility testing.

2.3 Check Audio Output and Bluetooth Routing

After updates, some users experience “video plays but no sound” or sound routed to a different device.

• Disconnect Bluetooth headphones/speakers and test again.
• Increase media volume and verify you are not on silent or Do Not Disturb modes.
• Try a different audio track if the file contains multiple tracks.

If only specific files have no sound, it may be an audio codec or track issue rather than MX Player globally.

2.4 Confirm MX Player Still Has Access to Your Files

If your videos are on external storage (SD card, USB, or certain folders), Android’s storage rules can block access until you re-grant permission.

• Open Android Settings and go to Apps and then MX Player.
• Open Permissions and verify access to media/files where applicable.
• If MX Player prompts you to select a folder, follow the prompt and grant access.

On newer Android versions, media access may be more granular. If MX Player suddenly cannot “see” your folder, it may need a fresh folder selection or permission confirmation.

3. Reset Without Regret: Clear Cache, Then Reset App Data If Needed.

If a decoder toggle does not help, the next most reliable fix is eliminating corrupted caches or preferences created during the update.

3.1 Clear Cache (Low Risk)

Clearing cache is the first reset step because it typically does not remove your core preferences.

1. Go to Android Settings.
2. Tap Apps and select MX Player.
3. Open Storage.
4. Tap Clear cache.

Retry playback. If the issue was caused by a stale thumbnail database, subtitle cache, or internal temporary state, this often fixes it.

3.2 Clear Storage/Data (High Impact, Often Effective)

If clearing cache does not work, clearing storage (sometimes called “Clear data”) resets the app to a fresh state. This can fix broken playback caused by corrupted settings or a failed preference migration after the update, but it may remove:

• App settings and player preferences
• Playback history and library organization within the app
• Custom subtitle settings and gestures (varies by version)

Steps:

1. Go to Android Settings.
2. Tap Apps and select MX Player.
3. Open Storage.
4. Tap Clear storage (or Clear data).
5. Reopen MX Player and grant permissions again if prompted.

If playback works after this, your update likely conflicted with existing configuration. Reapply settings gradually, testing playback as you go, so you can identify the specific toggle that triggers the issue.

3.3 Uninstall and Reinstall (Useful If the App Package Is Glitched)

If clearing data does not help, uninstalling and reinstalling can fix broken components or partial updates. This is especially relevant if the update was interrupted or the Play Store cache got stuck.

1. Uninstall MX Player from Android Settings or from the Play Store page.
2. Reboot your phone.
3. Reinstall MX Player from the Play Store.
4. Test playback before changing any settings.

If reinstalling still does not fix playback, you are likely dealing with a version-specific regression for your device or a codec path problem that requires rollback or a targeted workaround.

4. Rollback Options: How To Go Back Safely When the Update Is the Problem.

Sometimes the fastest path back to reliable playback is returning to a known-good version. The safest rollback method depends on whether MX Player is installed as a system app on your device (less common) or as a normal app from the Play Store (more common).

4.1 If MX Player Is a System App: “Uninstall Updates”

On some devices, certain apps can be preinstalled, and Android offers an “Uninstall updates” option that reverts the app to the factory version.

1. Open Android Settings.
2. Go to Apps and select MX Player.
3. Look for a menu option (often the three dots) and tap Uninstall updates if available.

If you see this option and it succeeds, test playback immediately. If that older factory version works, you have strong evidence that the latest update introduced the issue on your device.

4.2 If MX Player Is Not a System App: Your Practical Choices

If “Uninstall updates” is not available, Android generally treats the current installed version as the only version. Your choices become:

• Wait for a fix: Monitor the Play Store listing for an update that mentions bug fixes.
• Use an alternative player temporarily: This avoids installing older packages and keeps your device safer.
• Manually install an older version (sideloading): This can work, but it carries security risks if you download from untrusted sources.

If you choose to sideload an older version, only use sources you trust, verify signatures when possible, and remember that older versions may have unpatched security issues. A safer approach for many users is to switch players for a short period and return to MX Player once an official update resolves the regression.

4.3 Prevent Auto-Updates (So the Fix Sticks)

If rollback or reinstall restores playback, you may want to pause auto-updates until you confirm a newer version is stable for your device.

1. Open the Play Store.
2. Find the MX Player app page.
3. Use the menu on the page and disable Enable auto update (wording varies).

This is not a permanent solution, but it can prevent you from being pushed back onto the broken build while you troubleshoot.

5. Targeted Fixes for Specific Playback Failures.

If you want faster results, match your symptom to the likely fix.

5.1 Black Screen With Audio (Common Hardware Decoder Conflict)

This symptom often points to a hardware decoding issue for a particular codec profile.

• Switch to software decoding for that file as a test.
• If software decoding works, keep it enabled for problematic formats, or try HW versus HW+ to find a stable combination.
• Test with and without subtitles. Some subtitle renderers can trigger issues on certain devices.

If only one format fails (for example, HEVC 10-bit), the limitation may be your device’s hardware decoder support rather than MX Player alone.

5.2 Stuttering, Dropped Frames, or Overheating

Stutter after an update can happen if MX Player falls back to software decoding unexpectedly, or if the update changed performance defaults.

• Try enabling hardware decoding for that codec, if available.
• Close background apps, especially screen recorders, VPN-based ad blockers, or heavy overlays.
• Lower playback speed back to 1.0x and disable high-cost video filters.

If hardware decode is unstable, software decoding may still play but at a performance cost, especially for high-bitrate 4K or 10-bit content.

5.3 No Sound or Wrong Audio Track

If playback starts but audio is silent:

• Switch audio tracks inside the player (many files have multiple tracks).
• Test a different file with a simpler audio format to determine whether it is file-specific.
• Toggle software audio decode options if your version provides them.

If only one file has no sound and the rest work, the issue is likely the file’s audio codec or container metadata, not a global regression.

5.4 Files Missing or “Cannot Open” From SD Card

When files are on external storage, Android may require you to re-grant access after updates.

• Re-check permissions for photos, videos, music, and files (as offered).
• Navigate to the folder from within MX Player and confirm access if prompted.
• As a test, copy one failing file to internal storage and see if it plays.

If internal storage playback works but external storage fails, the problem is likely permission or storage access rather than decoding.

6. Safer Long-Term Fixes (So You Do Not Have To Roll Back Again).

Once you restore playback, take a few steps to reduce the odds that the next update breaks your setup.

6.1 Keep a Small “Playback Test Set” of Videos

Create a small folder of test clips that cover what you actually watch:

• One H.264 file in MP4 (baseline compatibility test)
• One HEVC/H.265 file (if you use it)
• One file with multiple audio tracks
• One file with subtitles (SRT or embedded)

After an update, test these quickly. If something breaks, you will know immediately and can pause auto-updates before your library workflow is disrupted.

6.2 Avoid Random Codec Packs and Untrusted APK Sources

When playback breaks, it is tempting to download “codec packs” or older APKs from random websites. That approach can introduce malware or modified packages. If you must install anything outside the Play Store, treat it as a security decision, not just a playback decision.

• Prefer official distribution channels.
• Do not install modified builds from unknown publishers.
• Keep your device’s security updates current.

6.3 Report the Regression With Useful Details

If the update clearly caused the issue, sending a useful report increases the chance of a real fix. Include:

• Device model and Android version
• MX Player version number
• Whether HW, HW+, or SW decoding is used when it fails
• File details (container, video codec, audio codec), without sharing private content

The more reproducible your report is, the easier it is for a developer to isolate whether it is a device-specific hardware decoder issue, a permission change, or a regression in the app’s playback pipeline.

7. FAQ: Quick Answers to Common MX Player “Update Broke Playback” Questions.

7.1 Will Clearing Data Delete My Videos?

No. Clearing app data typically removes the app’s local settings and databases, not your video files. However, if you are unsure where your files are stored, confirm your library folder in a file manager before clearing data.

7.2 Why Does Software Decoding Fix It, But Performance Gets Worse?

Hardware decoding uses dedicated video decode blocks in the device’s chipset. Software decoding uses the CPU, which is more flexible but less power-efficient. If hardware decoding is buggy for a specific format on your device, software decoding can be the workaround, but it may increase battery drain, heat, and stutter on high-resolution files.

7.3 Is Rolling Back Safe?

Rolling back can restore functionality, but older versions may lack security or stability fixes. If you roll back, consider it a temporary workaround and return to official updates once a stable fix is released.

7.4 What If Nothing Works?

If you have tried decoder toggles, permissions, clear cache, clear data, and reinstalling, and playback is still broken:

1. Test the same files with another player to rule out file corruption.
2. Try internal storage instead of SD card as a control test.
3. Wait for an MX Player update and check release notes, if provided.
4. Use an alternative player short-term to avoid risky sideloading.

At that point, the issue is likely a compatibility regression with your device model, a firmware-specific decoder bug, or an Android storage access change that requires an app-side fix.

Citations

• How to clear an app’s cache and app data on Android. (Google Support)
• Manage your apps with the Google Play Store, including updates. (Google Play Help)
• Android storage updates and scoped storage behavior (background on file access changes). (Android Developers)
• App permissions overview (how access to media and files can affect apps). (Google Support)