Can VLC Play Blu-ray? How to Watch Blu-ray Discs with VLC

When talking about free media players, VLC is almost everyone's top pick. It plays almost all video and audio files, so many users wonder: Can VLC Player play Blu-ray discs? If you want to know whether VLC supports Blu-rays, how to set it up, and how to fix VLC Blu-ray not playing problems, this complete guide is for you.

Part 1: Will VLC play Blu-ray Discs?

Is it possible to play Blu-ray in VLC media player? The answer is yes. VLC can play unprotected, homemade, or non-commercial Blu-ray discs, but it cannot play most commercial Blu-ray movies directly. This is because many Blu-ray discs are protected with technologies like AACS and BD+ encryption, and VLC does not include the decryption keys. In addition, Blu-ray discs may also have restrictions based on Blu-ray region codes, which determine where certain discs can be played.

Part 2: How to Play Blu-ray Disc in VLC on Windows/Mac

If you want to play commercial Blu-rays in VLC, you need to install AACS dynamic library or Keys Database first. These files allow VLC to recognize AACS-protected Blu-ray discs and encryption keys for supported Blu-ray movies.

On Windows:

Step 1. Navigate to https://vlc-bluray.whoknowsmy.name/ to download Keys Database (KEYDB.cfg) and AACS dynamic library (libaacs.dll).

Step 2. Go to "C:ProgramData" and create a new folder named "AACS" in it. Then put the KEYDV.cfg file inside the folder.

Step 3. Navigate to "C:Program FilesVideoLANVLC" and copy the libaacs.dll file to it.

Step 4. Insert the disc into the drive. Launch VLC on your PC and click the "Open Disc" button from the "Media" menu. Choose "Blu-ray" in the "Disc" tab.

Step 5. Select the Blu-ray disc and click the "Play" button to play the disc in VLC.

On Mac:

Step 1. Go to https://vlc-bluray.whoknowsmy.name/ and get the Keys Database (KEYDB.cfg) and AACS dynamic library (libaacs.dylib).

Step 2. Right-click VLC and choose "Show Package Content". Move the KEYDB.cfg file to the "/Library/Preferences/aacs/" folder. Move the libaacs.dylib file to the "Contents/MacOS/lib/" folder.

Step 3. After inserting the Blu-ray disc into the drive, launch the VLC player on the Mac. Click the File button on the menu bar. Then, click the "Open Disc" button.

Step 4. Select the disc you insert and click the "Open" button to import it. Then, click the Open; button to play the Blu-ray disc in VLC.

Part 3: Why VLC Failed to Play Your Blu-ray Disc?

If your VLC won't play Blu-ray successfully, it is usually caused by one of the following reasons:

Part 4: How to Fix VLC Won't Play Blu-ray Issue

If VLC fails to play your Blu-ray disc, you can try several troubleshooting methods. The following solutions can help fix common problems.

Update VLC Media Player

Update your VLC version to VLC V3.0 or later. If you are using a 64-bit Windows computer, make sure to install the 64-bit version of VLC for better compatibility. Click "Help" tab on the top menu bar and choose the "Check for Updates" option to install the latest version if available.

Reset Preferences

Incorrect preferences can sometimes prevent VLC from opening Blu-ray discs. Resetting VLC preferences may fix the VLC not playing Blu-ray problem.

Step 1. Open VLC and go to "Tools" > "Preferences".

Step 2. Tick "All" under the "Show Settings" at the bottom left corner to enter the "Advanced Preferences" window.

Step 3. Click "Reset Preferences" and restart VLC.

Install New Blu-ray Decoder Tools

Sometimes your decryption files are outdated and incompatible with newer commercial releases or configurations. Delete the old AACS folder and old libaacs files completely. Re-download the newest matching KEYDB.cfg and decryption library for your system. Re-place the two files in the correct folders as guided in Part 2. Reboot VLC and reinsert the Blu-ray disc to play.

Part 5: Best VLC Alternative to Play Any Blu-ray without Errors

If VLC still cannot play your Blu-ray disc after troubleshooting, a region free Blu-ray player can be a better choice. AnyRec Blu-ray Player is a professional Blu-ray player designed to play Blu-ray discs from any region easily. You don't need to install additional configuration files and decoder tools manually. It supports encrypted Blu-ray movies and delivers high-quality video and audio, providing a smooth, cinema-like viewing experience on your Windows PC or Mac.

Step 1. Launch the Blu-ray player on your computer, and insert your Blu-ray disc or DVD into the internal drive.

Step 2. Click the "Open Disc" button, select the Blu-ray/DVD you just inserted. Then click the "OK" button to confirm.

Step 3. Adjust the playback settings from the menu, then click the "Play" button to play the Blu-ray disc smoothly.

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