How to Fix Sony Vegas not Opening MP4 Files

You love Sony Vegas, the creative video editing software for Windows. It is a fast and user-friendly tool that offers a professional video production workflow. However, there’s a common complaint of MP4 files not opening in Vegas Pro.

Although Sony Vegas is compatible with MP4 file format. Still, users sometimes face issue while opening, importing, or rendering MP4 files in Sony Vegas. The problem is persistent with almost all the versions of Sony Vegas Pro, whether it is the latest Vegas 18, 17, 16 or below.

Helping you in the situation, we bring the best solutions to Sony Vegas can’t open MP4 files or showing error. You can also try these methods if the Vegas editing software is unable to import or render MP4 files.

Possible reasons why your MP4 files don’t open in Vegas Pro:

• Absence of Sony Vegas MP4 audio and video codecs
• Your MP4 file is too large
• You are trying to open H.265 4K/8K MP4 video
• Video file is corrupt or damaged
• Virus infection in the system
• A bug in the application
• Your PC doesn’t meet hardware requirement of the video editing software

Best 5 Ways to fix Sony Vegas not opening MP4 files

1. Update Sony Vegas program

Updates can improve compatibility issues and fix bugs in the Vegas editing software. Run the latest Sony Vegas updates. Visit the official website to look for the available updates for Sony Vegas Pro version you’re using and download it.

2. Convert MP4 file to Vegas supporting format

May be your MP4 video doesn’t have the codecs required for editing in Sony Vegas. So try by converting the MP4 files to Sony Vegas supported formats. You can convert MP4 files to AVI, AVC/AVCHD, WMV, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, ProRes, DV, XDCAM/XAVC, or P2.

To convert MP4 file format, either get a desktop video converter or use a trusted online MP4 video converter program.

You can try VLC Media Player, Stellar Converter for Audio Video, Aiseesoft Total Video Converter, or other professional video converter for your Windows. These software can batch convert MP4 files to Vegas supporting format.

Some online free MP4 file converters are CloudConvert, Zamzar, Convertio, etc.

3. Install Vegas codecs on your PC

Instead of converting MP4 file, install Vegas MP4 codecs on your Windows PC. This can open MP4 files on Sony VEGAS Pro Edit, VEGAS Pro, and VEGAS Pro 365. Sony Vegas supports the H.264 and HEVC video codecs. You can get the K-Lite Codec Pack on your computer. The pack will install all types of video and audio codecs, including those supported by Vegas editing tools.

Alternatively, you can install QuickTime Player on Windows. This will also get the required MP4 codecs on your system. Now, you can easily open or import MP4 files to Sony Vegas.

4. Fix corrupt MP4 video with a repair software

MP4 videos won’t open in Sony Vegas if they are corrupt. Check by trying to open the video files in another program like VLC Media Player, Real Player, or QuickTime, etc. If your MP4 files don’t open or play in any other media player, it indicates file corruption. Use a video repair tool that can fix unplayable MP4 files.

There are several MP4 video repair tools for Windows. Advanced software like Stellar Repair for Video can fix damaged or corrupt file header, data, sound sections, frames, etc., that won’t let files open or play properly. The software is fast and can batch repair multiple MP4 files in one go.

How to fix MP4 file not opening in Sony Vegas using Stellar Repair for Video:

• Download and launch Stellar Repair for Video on computer.
• Click Add file to upload MP4 files.
• Click Repair.
• As the repair process finishes, preview to check if the MP4 video is repaired efficiently and playing well. If the file is extremely damaged, the software will show ‘Advanced Repair’ option across the video file. Click on it and follow the prompts. You will have to upload the correct sample MP4 files to use ‘Advance Repair’ feature.

• Next, click Save Repaired Files. You can save the videos at any location on your computer.

Once your MP4 files are repaired, open them in Sony Vegas for processing or editing.

5. Clean reinstall the Sony Vegas app

If MP4 files don’t open due to the Vegas technical malfunction caused after a Windows update or virus infection, reinstall the app.

First uninstall Sony Vegas from your computer. Then reinstall your software version. This should fix the MP4 files not opening problem.

Steps to reinstall Sony Vegas on Windows:

To Sum Up

Sony Vegas might not open MP4 file due to codec issue. You can fix the problem by converting it to another video file format or downloading the Vegas compatible codecs on Windows. Sometimes updating or reinstalling the video editing software also helps. It fixes the bugs and glitches that don’t let the Vegas Pro to import or open MP4 videos.

Besides, ensure your MP4 file is not corrupt. If it is damaged, recover it using a secure MP4 video repair software. Your MP4 videos will be playable again in Sony Vegas Pro.