How to Fix Windows Movie Maker No Video Issue on Windows 11: Step-by-Step Solutions

Windows Movie Maker is a popular tool for creating and editing videos on Windows computers. Sometimes, users encounter an issue where the video preview does not show up, even though the audio plays fine. This no video problem can be frustrating, especially when you want to edit your videos quickly.

Fortunately, there are simple ways to fix the Windows Movie Maker no video issue on Windows 11. This guide will walk you through easy and detailed steps to troubleshoot and resolve the problem.

Each step is explained clearly so even beginners can follow along without confusion. By the end, you should be able to see your video preview again and continue editing smoothly.

Let’s start by checking a few quick things before moving to deeper fixes.

Quick Note: Prerequisites and Basic Checks

Check System Requirements: Ensure your PC meets the minimum requirements for Windows Movie Maker and Windows 11.
Update Windows: Make sure your Windows 11 is up to date. Updates often fix compatibility issues.
Restart Your Computer: Sometimes, a simple restart solves temporary glitches affecting video playback.
File Format Check: Confirm that the video files you are trying to edit are supported by Windows Movie Maker (common formats like .mp4, .wmv).

Step 1: Check Video Drivers and Update Them

Video drivers are software that allow your computer to communicate with your graphics hardware. Outdated or corrupted drivers can cause video playback issues in Movie Maker.

Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
Expand the Display adapters section.
Right-click your graphics card and select Update driver.
Choose Search automatically for updated driver software and follow the prompts.
Restart your computer after the update completes.

Updating drivers ensures your graphics hardware works well with Movie Maker and Windows 11.

Step 2: Disable Hardware Acceleration in Windows Movie Maker

Hardware acceleration uses your graphics card to improve video playback performance. However, sometimes it can conflict with Movie Maker, causing no video display.

Open Windows Movie Maker.
Click on Tools or the Options menu (depending on your version).
Go to the Advanced tab.
Find the option labeled Use hardware acceleration or similar.
Uncheck this option to disable hardware acceleration.
Click OK and restart Movie Maker.

Disabling hardware acceleration can help if your graphics card or drivers are causing display issues.

Step 3: Run Windows Movie Maker as Administrator

Sometimes, permission issues prevent Movie Maker from displaying video properly. Running the program with administrator rights can solve this.

Find the Windows Movie Maker shortcut or executable file.
Right-click on it and select Run as administrator.
If prompted by User Account Control, click Yes.
Check if the video preview now appears.

Running as administrator ensures Movie Maker has all necessary permissions to access video components.

Step 4: Reinstall Windows Movie Maker

If the problem continues, your Movie Maker installation might be corrupted. Reinstalling can replace broken or missing files.

Open Settings and go to Apps & Features.
Find Windows Movie Maker in the list.
Click it and select Uninstall.
After uninstalling, download the latest compatible version of Windows Movie Maker from a trusted source.
Install the program and restart your computer.
Try opening your video project again.

Reinstalling ensures you have a fresh, clean setup free of errors.

Step 5: Convert Video Files to a Supported Format

Sometimes, Movie Maker cannot display video because the file format or codec is not supported.

Try converting your video files to a widely supported format like .wmv or .mp4 using free tools such as HandBrake or VLC Media Player.

Open your video converter tool.
Load the video file that shows no preview in Movie Maker.
Select output format as .mp4 or .wmv.
Start the conversion process.
Once converted, import the new file into Windows Movie Maker.

Converting ensures compatibility and can fix playback issues caused by unsupported codecs.

FAQs

Why does Windows Movie Maker show no video but plays audio?

This usually happens due to unsupported video formats, outdated video drivers, or hardware acceleration conflicts.

Can Windows Movie Maker work on Windows 11?

Windows Movie Maker was not officially updated for Windows 11, but it can still run with some tweaks. However, using modern video editors may offer better compatibility.

Is there a way to update Windows Movie Maker?

Microsoft discontinued Windows Movie Maker, so no official updates are available. Reinstalling the last available version is your best option.

What video formats does Windows Movie Maker support?

Common supported formats include .wmv, .mp4, and .avi. Using other formats may cause playback issues.

Why should I disable hardware acceleration?

Disabling hardware acceleration can fix video display problems caused by incompatible or faulty graphics drivers.

When Nothing Works

If none of the above steps fix the no video issue, consider these options:

Try a Different Video Editor: Use modern free editors like Shotcut or OpenShot which are fully compatible with Windows 11.
Check Microsoft Support: Visit the official Microsoft support website for the latest troubleshooting articles.
Update Graphics Drivers from Manufacturer: Sometimes, downloading drivers directly from Nvidia, AMD, or Intel websites helps more than Windows Update.
Restore System: Use Windows System Restore to revert your PC to a point before the problem started.

Conclusion

Fixing the Windows Movie Maker no video issue on Windows 11 is often straightforward. Start with simple checks like updating drivers, restarting your PC, and verifying file formats. Disabling hardware acceleration and running the program as administrator can resolve common conflicts.

If those do not work, reinstalling Movie Maker or converting your videos to supported formats usually solves the problem. When all else fails, consider alternative video editing software for a smoother experience.

By following these detailed steps, you can get your video previews working again and enjoy editing your videos without interruption.