VLC is a popular and open-source player that will play videos and audios on your PC, while it’s unable to play Blu-ray discs that are protected by DRM. For people who would like to watch Blu-ray disc movies, the absence of Blu-ray playback on VLC brings much inconvenience.
In the meanwhile, we have received some messages from our readers, they said the VLC keeps not playing Blu-ray discs, and there is an error showing in a pop-up window. For instance, “this Blu-ray disc needs a library for bd+ decoding, and your system does not have it”.
So, how can we make VLC play Blu-ray movies?
After doing in-depth research, we finally figured out why VLC won’t play Blu-ray discs and how to fix it. If you are facing the same issue, go with us, and you will know the reason and solutions in detail.
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As mentioned before, VLC is an open-resource software with great flexibility. Therefore, you can make it compatible with Blu-ray discs by adding some library files to authorise VLC to decrypt protected Blu-ray content.
Solution 1: Fix VLC unable to Play Blu-ray Disc by Adding the Library and Encrypted Files
Here we’ll show you how to download and put the libaacs library file and key files into the right location so as to make your VLC able to play Blu-ray discs.
Note: This solution will take more time than others, if you want a quick fix, you can directly open the disc on Aiseesoft Blu-ray player or make the disc playable.
Step 1: Update VLC Media Player.
Open VLC media player, and select Help > Check for updates… on the menu. After a few seconds, it will scan the available update. Suppose it’s already the latest version, go to the next step.
Step 2: Add the Libaacs File to VLC Installation Folder
Visit the link and download the Libaccas file, then move the files from the Downloads folder to VLC’s installation folder.
Windows 32-bit: C:\Program Files (x86)\VideoLAN\VLC
Windows 64-bit: C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\VLC
The Location of VLC on Mac: usr/local/lib/directory (unable to find the directory, create it)
Step 3: Add keydb.cfg File into an Appointed Folder
Switch to the website, then download the keydb.cfg file, and move it to the specific location.
The Keydb’s Path on PC: C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Roaming\aacs\
The Keydb’s Path on Mac: ~/Library/Preferences/aacs (create aacs when you are unable to find it)
Step 4: Now make sure you have inserted a Blu-ray disc to the disc driver. Restart VLC player, click Menu > Disc, select Blu-ray and click the Play button. When you are able to watch the movies now, the issue is fixed.
Solution 2: Directly Play Blu-ray Discs with Aiseesoft Blu-ray Player
Aissesoft Blu-ray Player is a professional player which is compatible with all kinds of audio and videos, including the playback on DRM-protected Blu-ray discs, DVD folders, and ISO files.
With this program, you’re free from fixing VLC not playing Blu-ray discs.
Furthermore, depending on AI technology, it will give you a top watching experience. For instance, it will fully display 4K pictures and lossless sounds. After connecting a good speaker and display, you can make a family theater in your house.
Plus, it will allow you to take a screenshot while watching the videos.
Step 1: Download and Install the Aiseesoft Blu-ray Player
Step 2: Make sure the Disc drive is connected to the computer.
Step 3: Play the Blu-ray Disc
Then put the Blu-ray disc into the disc drive. Open the program, and select the Open Disc button. Then choose the disc on a popping window. Once it loads, it will show on the interface.
Solution 3: Make the Blu-ray Disc Playable with Leawo Blu-ray Discs Ripper
For playing the Blu-ray disc on VLC, another method is to convert the media on the disc to a video file, which is compatible with VLC.
To do this, you will need a BD (Blu-ray Disc) ripper – Leawo Blu-ray Ripper, which is able to create, copy and rip the Blu-ray discs. Meanwhile, it will be able to directly remove the DRM from the Blu-ray disc.
Moreover, it’s able to convert BD to video files for any formats such as MP4, MKV, H.265 MP4, H.264 MKV, HD MP4, HD MKV, HD MOV, 4K MP4, 4K MKV. And it also supports converting the BD to audio files.
Furthermore, if you just want to preserve the funny clips of a movie, select and save those parts on the program. Also, you can insert a watermark and adjust the effect in the clips.
More than a ripper, Leawo Blu-ray Ripper will help to download videos from streaming platforms with a link.
Step 1: Download and Install the Leawo Blu-ray Ripper
Step 2: Insert the Blu-ray disc into a drive, and make sure the drive has been connected to your PC/Mac.
Step 3: Load the Disc on Your Computer
Open the program, select the Blu-ray Ripper on the interface. Then choose UHD/Blu-ray/DVD > Add from CD-ROM. Click on the disc on the file explorer.
Step 4: Import the Media on BD to Your Computer
After loading the disc, you will see three tabs: Full Movie, Main Movie, and Custom Mode. (Full movie will import all the titles, while Main Movie only imports the longest one, and custom mode allows you to choose the files) Select one.
Next, tick the circle of the parts that you want, and click on the OK button. Once it is done, you can double-click the clips on the list to preview it with the inner player.
Step 5: Edit the output format
Choose the drop-down arrow beside the MP4 Video and click on Change, there will be several options on the interface. Select the one you need.
Step 6: Edit the Quality of the Converting Files
If you want to get the best quality of picture and sound, you will need to change the quality settings: click the drop-down arrow on the right of the format. Then select Edit, you will see the options present.
Click Best on the Video and Audio section, it will upscale the setting at once. Press the OK button to settle the change.
Step 7: Convert the video
Choose the Convert button, and select a folder to store the output files. When you click on the convert button, the conversion will begin. Once it finishes, you will see a folder icon, click to open the output folder.
Now you have the files, open it on the VLC, and the video is smoothly playing. At the same time, you have successfully fixed the VLC Failed to Play Blu-ray errors.
Summary
Ultimately, you understand the reasons and how to fix VLC won’t play Blu-ray with 3 solutions:
Yes, downloading the library and encrypted files to the VLC‘s location will fix the error, which will cost you some time.
The fastest and easiest way will be to play the disc with an Aiseesoft Blu-ray player, due to it being fully compatible with commercial BDs.
Besides, Leawo Blu-ray ripper will help you convert the videos from Blu-ray discs to other playable files so that you can play them on your VLC.
If this article helps you feel free to share it with your friends.
