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Although physical media has slowly phased out, DVDs are still existing. That is why it is troublesome when you find out your Windows 11 doesn’t have a pre-installed DVD player. Movies, files, games, and others can be in the rectangular plastic format, so it’d be convenient to have the ability to play them on your computer. In cases where the Internet is slow or none at all, it’s better to have a physical copy of the media you need. So, in this article, we’ll discuss how to play a DVD on Windows 11.
Video Tutorial:
Method 1: Via Built-In Media Player (Windows Media Player)
Windows 11 does not ship with the built-in Windows Media Player. However, you could download and install it from the Microsoft website as it’s still popular among Windows users.
Here’s how to play a DVD using Windows Media Player on Windows 11:
1. After downloading the Windows Media Player installer, double-click it to run the installation wizard.
2. Insert the DVD into your computer’s DVD drive.
3. Open Windows Media Player.
4. Click on the icon of the DVD that you have inserted.
5. Enjoy your movie!
Pros:
The built-in media player is easy to use and requires no further installation.
Cons:
Windows Media Player may show errors at times, especially on DVD files with stricter copyright laws.
Method 2: Via VLC media player
VLC media player is a widely popular app and known for its media-playing capabilities. It supports various video and audio file formats, including DVDs. You can download VLC media player from their official website.
Here’s how to play a DVD using VLC media player on Windows 11:
1. After downloading VLC media player, double-click the installer file to install it.
2. Insert the DVD you want to play into your computer’s DVD drive.
3. Open VLC media player.
4. At the upper-left corner of the window, click on "Media."
5. In the dropdown menu, select "Open Disc."
6. The app should detect the DVD inserted in the DVD drive automatically. If not, just select it manually from the options given.
7. Click "Play" to start playing.
Pros:
It can play a lot of file formats. Its interface is user-friendly.
Cons:
It doesn’t have native DVD menus when it plays a DVD file. You’ll need to manually navigate the file if you want to watch a specific scene in the DVD.
Method 3: Via 5k Player
5K Player claims to be a media player that can handle video, music, and even online streaming. It supports DVDs and can even work with 4K ultra-high-definition videos. It’s a player worth trying if you’re looking for a versatile media player app.
Here’s how to play a DVD using 5k Player on Windows 11:
1. Download 5KPlayer from their website.
2. Install the app by following the installation wizard’s instructions.
3. Insert the DVD into your computer’s DVD drive.
4. Open 5KPlayer.
5. Click on the DVD icon on the main screen.
6. Enjoy your movie.
Pros:
It can support a lot of file formats, including 4K ultra-high-definition. It has a clear interface.
Cons:
Its UI seems too busy for some users. The app has ads occasionally.
Method 4: Via Leawo DVD Player
Leawo DVD Player is an app dedicated to playing DVD files. Besides playing DVDs, it can also play Blu-ray discs. It has a user-friendly interface that users can customize. This app is worth checking out if you want a player that focuses on playing DVDs.
Here’s how to play a DVD using Leawo DVD Player on Windows 11:
1. Download and install Leawo DVD Player from their website.
2. Insert the DVD you want to play.
3. Open the software.
4. Click "Load DVD" on the main interface.
5. Browse and choose the DVD files that you want to play.
6. Click on "Play Movie" to enjoy.
Pros:
The app supports various file formats and lets you customize the interface. It also works with Blu-ray discs.
Cons:
Its free version has limitations in its functionalities. You’ll need to pay for the Pro version if you want to access the premium functions.
What to Do If You Can’t Play DVDs on Windows 11
If none of the above methods worked for you, you could try the following:
– Update your DVD drive driver
– Ensure that your operating system is updated
– Clean your DVD drive
– Try playing the DVDs on a different player
– Get an external DVD player
Bonus Tips
1. Close other programs while playing the DVD to free up space and resources on your computer.
2. Pause or stop any background downloads during playback to avoid buffering and audio glitches.
3. Adjust the resolution of your DVD playback to match your screen for better viewing.
5 FAQs on How to Play A DVD on Windows 11
Q1: What if my DVD drive isn’t detected?
A: Make sure that you insert the DVD correctly. You may also need to update your DVD drive driver or restart your computer to detect it.
Q2: Why does my DVD player show an error message?
A: If the DVD is copyrighted, it may have copy protection that prevents playback on certain media players. Try playing it on a different player.
Q3: What if my Windows Media Player doesn’t play DVDs?
A: You may need to download the necessary codec to play DVDs. You can download them from the Microsoft website.
Q4: Can I play Blu-ray discs on Windows 11?
A: You’ll need a Blu-ray drive and a separate media player app that supports Blu-ray disc playback.
Q5: Will VLC media player work with damaged DVDs?
A: It depends on the extent of the damage. VLC media player has the capability to play damaged DVD files, but it may not work if the damage is too severe.
Final Thoughts
Nowadays, people tend to stream movies and shows online, and physical media have slowly phased out. However, DVD files are still relevant, and it’s frustrating when you can’t play them on your computer. Fortunately, various media player apps can support DVD file formats. Windows 11 may not have a pre-installed media player, but it’s still convenient to have a physical copy of the media you need. Hopefully, this article helped you find the best way to play your DVDs on Windows 11.