Samsung TV Won't Play Videos from USB? Codecs, AVI and File System
Samsung says every TV has its own requirements for video files: file format, video codec, resolution and more. If the file doesn't match all of them, the TV won't play it. TVs from 2018 (N series) onward don't play DivX/Xvid, a codec common in .AVI files. If the file matches and still won't play, Samsung's steps are a restart, another USB port or flash drive, a supported file system (FAT32, NTFS or exFAT), a software update, a factory reset and, last, a service centre.
Quick answer
A Samsung TV only plays USB videos whose format, video codec and resolution match its own requirements. TVs from 2018 (N series) onward don't play DivX/Xvid, a codec common in .AVI files. Compare the file with the codec tables in the e-Manual, then restart the TV and try another USB port or drive.
- 1.Check the file's format, codec and resolution in a media player on your computer (VLC, for example), then compare them with the table for your TV series in the e-Manual: Settings → Support → Open e-Manual, search for Video codecs.
- 2.If every video fails, turn the TV off with the button, unplug it from the wall for a minute, plug it back in and try another USB port or another flash drive.
What it means
Samsung says each TV has a set of requirements a video file must meet before it will play: the file format, the video codec, the resolution and other parameters. If the TV doesn't support the file's parameters, the video won't play, and every characteristic listed in the TV's table has to match.
Age matters. Samsung says TVs from 2018 (starting with the N series) don't support the DivX/Xvid video codec, which is common in .AVI files. Some Samsung TVs from 2008-2009 can't play video from USB at all, only photos and music.
If the TV supports the file type and one particular video still won't play, Samsung says that file is probably damaged and the TV is fine. If no video plays, Samsung's steps cover a restart, the connection, another flash drive, the drive's file system (FAT32, NTFS or exFAT), a software update and, as a last resort, a factory reset.
Common causes
- The file's format, codec or resolution isn't supported. Samsung says the TV won't play a file whose parameters it doesn't support, and that all the characteristics in the TV's table must match for the video to play.
- A DivX/Xvid .AVI file on a 2018 or newer TV. Samsung says TVs from 2018 (starting with the N series) don't support the DivX/Xvid video codec, which is popular for .AVI files.
- A damaged video file. When only one specific video fails, Samsung says the file is probably damaged and the TV is working correctly.
- A file system the TV doesn't support. Samsung lists FAT32, NTFS and exFAT as the supported file systems for the USB drive and suggests formatting the drive to one of them if needed.
- A problem with the flash drive, the USB port or the hard drive connection. Samsung suggests trying another USB port, testing the video from another flash drive and, with a hard drive, making sure it is plugged into the USB port.
- A temporary glitch or TV software that needs updating. Samsung says a restart can clear faults, and its summary also suggests updating the TV software when needed.
- A TV that can't play video from USB. Samsung says some TVs from 2008-2009 support only photos and music from USB media, with no video playback.
Before you start
- Does one video fail, or all of them? If only one file won't play, Samsung says the file is probably damaged and the TV is fine.
- Find your TV's series and year. Samsung's codec tables are labelled by series, TVs from 2018 (N series) onward don't play DivX/Xvid, and some 2008-2009 models play no video from USB. See our guide on finding your TV model number.
- Open the file's information in a media player on your computer, VLC for example, and note the file format, video codec and resolution.
- On the computer, check which file system the USB drive uses. Samsung lists FAT32, NTFS and exFAT as supported.
Fixes, from safest to last resort
Check the video against your TV's codec table
No data loss- 1On your computer, open the video's file information in a media player such as VLC and note the file format, video codec and resolution.
- 2On the TV, open Menu and select Settings. If e-Manual appears at the top when Settings is highlighted, open it directly and go to step 4.
- 3Select Support, then Open e-Manual.
- 4Select the search bar and press OK on the remote to bring up the keyboard. Type Video codecs and select Done.
- 5Open the section Read Before Playing Photo, Video, or Music Files. It contains several tables, each labelled with the TV series it applies to; pick the one for your series.
- 6Compare the file's characteristics with that table. If they all match, the TV supports the video; if any of them doesn't, the TV won't play it.
You can also find these requirements in your TV's user manual, which you can download from Samsung's Manuals & Downloads section. Remember that TVs from 2018 (N series) onward don't support DivX/Xvid, the codec common in .AVI files.
Restart the TV
No data loss- 1Turn the TV off with the power button.
- 2Unplug it from the wall outlet and wait a minute.
- 3Plug it back in, turn it on and try the video again.
Samsung says a restart can sometimes fix the problem because it clears operating faults.
Check the USB connection and try another port
No data loss- 1If you use a hard drive, make sure it is plugged into the TV's USB port.
- 2Plug the flash drive or hard drive into another USB port on the TV and try the video again.
Try the video from another flash drive
No data loss- 1Copy the video that won't play onto a different flash drive.
- 2Connect that drive to the TV and play the video again.
Update the TV software
Re-setup needed- 1Check for a software update on the TV and install it if one is available. Samsung's article doesn't give the menu path, so follow your TV's e-Manual.
- 2After the TV restarts, connect the USB drive and try the video again.
Samsung's summary suggests updating the TV software when needed. If the update won't install, see our guide on a Samsung TV that won't update.
Format the USB drive to FAT32, NTFS or exFAT
Removes apps & settings- 1Copy everything you want to keep from the USB drive to your computer.
- 2On the computer, format the drive with one of the file systems Samsung lists as supported: FAT32, NTFS or exFAT.
- 3Copy the video back onto the drive, connect it to the TV and try again.
⚠ Formatting erases everything on the USB drive. Copy your files somewhere safe before you start.
Reset the TV to factory settings
Removes apps & settings- 1Only do this if videos that match your TV's codec table still won't play after every step above.
- 2Reset the TV using the factory reset instructions for your model in the e-Manual. Samsung's article links to a separate reset guide and doesn't give the menu path.
- 3Set the TV up again, connect the USB drive and try the video.
⚠ A factory reset returns the TV to the state it left the factory in. Everything you set up since then, including settings, sign-ins and installed apps, has to be set up again.
If a menu doesn't match your TV
- Menu and section names in this guide are translated from Samsung's Russian support page. Your TV's English menus and e-Manual may word them slightly differently.
- On some TVs, highlighting Settings shows e-Manual at the top of the screen. Open it from there and go straight to the search.
- If you can't find the codec tables in the e-Manual, download your TV's user manual from Samsung's Manuals & Downloads section and look for the video codec requirements there.
- Samsung's article doesn't explain specific on-screen messages about a USB device not being supported, and it doesn't cover .apk files on a flash drive. It covers video playback only.
- Samsung's article doesn't give the menu paths for the software update or the factory reset. Use your TV's e-Manual.
When to contact support
If videos that match your TV's requirements still won't play after every step above, Samsung recommends contacting a service centre.
- Samsung's support page offers online chat and messengers, a phone line and a service centre finder.
- Have your TV model number and series ready, plus the file details from VLC (format, video codec and resolution) and the drive's file system.
- Say whether one video fails or all of them, and list what you have already tried: the codec table check, the restart, another USB port, another flash drive, the software update, formatting the drive and the factory reset.
Sources
- Official source: Samsung Russia Support: What to do if USB videos won't play on a Samsung TV · www.samsung.com
Frequently asked questions
Smart TV USB not working: what should I check first?+
On a Samsung TV, check that the drive uses a file system Samsung lists as supported (FAT32, NTFS or exFAT), plug it into another USB port and try another flash drive. Then compare the video's format, codec and resolution with the table for your TV series in the e-Manual. A restart and a software update are next.
Why won't my Samsung TV play AVI files?+
Samsung says TVs from 2018 (starting with the N series) don't support the DivX/Xvid video codec, which is popular for .AVI files. Check the file's codec in a media player such as VLC and compare it with the codec table in your TV's e-Manual.
My TV doesn't read the flash drive but my computer does. What can I do?+
Check the drive's file system on the computer. Samsung lists FAT32, NTFS and exFAT as supported and suggests formatting the drive to one of them if needed; copy your files off first, because formatting erases the drive. Also try another USB port and another flash drive.
My Samsung TV says the connected USB device is not supported. What should I do?+
Samsung's article doesn't explain that specific message. The checks it does give for USB playback are the drive's file system (FAT32, NTFS or exFAT), another USB port, another flash drive and a TV software update.
Only one video won't play from USB. Is my Samsung TV broken?+
No. If the TV supports the file type and only one specific video fails, Samsung says the file is probably damaged and the TV is working correctly. Try another copy of the video.
Can older Samsung TVs play video from a USB stick?+
Not all of them. Samsung says some TVs from 2008-2009 don't support video playback from USB media at all, only photos and music. Check your model's user manual or e-Manual.
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