vidmagpie.

Guides Tips and fixes

Downloaded video has no sound? How to fix it

Fix a downloaded video that plays with no audio, from the wrong player to a muted original.

Updated

You've downloaded a video, it plays, but there's no sound. Before you download it again, check these. The fix is usually quick.

Check the obvious first

  • iPhone: the ring/silent switch (or Action button setting) mutes videos in some apps. Turn it off silent and turn the volume up.
  • Computer: check the system volume and that the right speakers or headphones are selected.
  • The player: many players have their own mute button. Look for a crossed-out speaker icon.

Did the original have sound?

Open the link on the original site and play it there. Some videos really are silent:

  • GIFs on X are stored as silent videos.
  • Instagram and Facebook sometimes mute a video, or swap its audio, when a song breaks copyright rules.
  • Some TikToks have the sound removed after posting.

If the original is silent, the download will be too.

Try another player

Sometimes the video plays but the player can't decode the audio track. VLC is free on every platform and plays almost anything. If the file has sound in VLC, the problem is your default player.

On Windows, a video that plays without sound or shows a codec message may use HEVC. Our HEVC guide explains it.

Check which option you picked

If you chose Transcript, you'll get a text file rather than a video. If you chose Audio, you'll get a sound file with no picture. For a video with sound, choose Video.

Download it again as MP4

MP4 is the format with the best support for audio across phones and computers. If you saved a WebM or MKV and your device is fussy about it, download again as MP4 from the right downloader, for example the YouTube downloader.

Editing apps

If the sound plays in a player but disappears in your editor, check the clip's volume on the timeline and that the audio track isn't muted or detached. In PowerPoint, check the video's Playback settings. See adding a video to PowerPoint or Google Slides.

Still silent after all that? Send us the link through the contact page.

Quick answers

Why does my Instagram download have different music?

Instagram sometimes swaps a Reel's sound when a track can't be used in a region. The download carries whatever audio Instagram serves.

Does a failed download use a credit?

No. Only downloads that complete count.