Why MKV has no sound in Chrome
MKV (Matroska) is a container: a box that holds a video stream, one or more audio streams and often subtitles. Whether a file plays depends on what is inside the box, not on the .mkv name. A typical movie or TV episode in MKV has H.264 video, which every modern browser can show, and Dolby audio, which most browsers can't.
That Dolby audio is usually AC3 (Dolby Digital) or EAC3 (Dolby Digital Plus). These codecs are common on discs and TV recordings, but Chrome and Firefox don't include a decoder for them. So the browser does what it can: it shows the picture and plays nothing. That is why so many people see an MKV that "plays" in the browser but stays silent, or only a black screen with a progress bar.
The local player checks the audio track when you open the file. It uses the browser's own decoder and keeps the original video. If a codec is unavailable, an on-screen message explains how to convert the audio with external FFmpeg or use the separate upload library. Choosing a file on this local-player page never uploads it.
What works and what doesn't
We only list what we have tested:
- Works: MKV with H.264 video and AAC audio plays with picture and sound in compatible browsers, and you can seek through it as usual.
- Several audio tracks: if the MKV has more than one audio track, for example two languages, an "Audio" item appears in the ⋯ menu so you can switch.
- HEVC (H.265) video depends on your browser and hardware. We don't decode video in software, so HEVC plays only where the browser itself can decode it. When it can't, the player tells you instead of leaving a black screen. The message reads: "This file's video codec (HEVC) can't be played in this browser. Try Edge or Safari, or convert the file."
- DTS audio isn't tested yet, so we don't promise it. If a file plays with no sound, you'll see: "No sound is playing. The audio codec (DTS, for example) may not be supported here."
- Damaged files: if part of the file can't be read, the player says the file looks damaged rather than freezing.
How to play an MKV file online
- Click Choose a video above, or drag the MKV file onto this page.
- Playback starts when the browser supports the codecs. Unsupported audio shows a conversion instruction; no browser FFmpeg decoder is loaded.
- Move the mouse to show the controls. Use the ⋯ menu to add an SRT or VTT subtitle file, pick another audio track, or adjust the picture.
Your place in the video is remembered on this device, so if you close the tab and open the same file later, it picks up where you left off.
Why not just install a desktop player?
If you can install VLC or another desktop player, that is a fine choice. This page is for the times you can't or don't want to: a work laptop without admin rights, a school Chromebook, a borrowed computer, or when you just need to check one file quickly. There is no download, no account and no upload. See a video player that needs nothing installed for more on that.
Need only part of the MKV? You can also trim a video without uploading it and save the result as a new MKV file.
Frequently asked questions
Does my file get uploaded?
No. Your browser reads the MKV file from your device and plays it right there. The video is never uploaded, stored on a server, or sent anywhere, not even to us.
Why does my MKV play without sound?
Some MKV files use Dolby audio (AC3 or EAC3) that your browser cannot decode. Convert the audio to AAC with external FFmpeg, or upload the file to the library for conversion. This local player does not bundle an FFmpeg decoder.
Can it play HEVC/H.265?
Only if your browser and hardware can decode HEVC. We don't decode video in software. If your browser can't, you'll see: "This file's video codec (HEVC) can't be played in this browser. Try Edge or Safari, or convert the file."
Is there a size limit?
We set no size limit. The file is read from your disk as it plays, so it doesn't have to fit in memory or be copied first.
Does it work on Chromebook?
It runs in the Chrome browser, which is the browser on a Chromebook, and needs nothing installed. Open the page, choose the MKV file from your Files app, and it plays the same way it does in Chrome on any other computer.
Do I need to install anything?
No. There is no app, codec pack or browser extension to install, and no account to create. Open this page, choose the MKV file, and it plays in the browser tab.
Does it play MKV files with DTS audio?
We haven't tested DTS yet, so we don't promise it. If the browser can't decode the audio, the picture keeps playing and the player tells you the audio codec isn't supported, instead of staying silent without a word.
Can I add subtitles to an MKV?
Yes, from a separate SRT or VTT file: open the ⋯ menu, choose Add subtitles, and pick the file. Subtitles stored inside the MKV itself aren't shown yet.
Can I switch between audio tracks?
Yes. If the MKV has more than one audio track, for example two languages, an audio track item appears in the ⋯ menu. Each click switches to the next track.
Which browsers does it work in?
We test MKV playback in Chrome, which is also the browser on a Chromebook. Other browsers run the same player, and when something in the file isn't supported there, the player tells you instead of showing a black screen.
Can I cut out part of an MKV?
Yes. Choose Cut mode in the ⋯ menu, mark the parts, and save. The result is saved as a new file on your device, with no watermark and no upload.