Let VLC Play Blu-ray Discs without Mistakes | Tutorial

Part 1: Why VLC Won't Play Blu-ray and How to Fix It

For homemade Blu-ray discs, VLC can play them perfectly. But when it comes to the discs you purchased, you might encounter a Blu-ray error saying: This Blu-ray Disc needs a library for AACS decoding, and your system does not have it. The lack of Blu-ray-related decoding files cause such an error in VLC. Most commercial Blu-ray discs have AACS or BD+ technologies as their protections. VLC does not naturally come with these decoding files and will fail to play the disc without extra installation of these decoding files.

After knowing the reason, here is the complete solution for you, including where to download the VLC Blu-ray codecs.

Go to https://vlc-bluray.whoknowsmy.name/ website and download two files, keys database, and AACS dynamic library files. Then follow the instructions below; your latest VLC player can play Blu-ray discs without hassle.

For Windows Users

If you need to know whether your VLC is 32-bit or 64-bit, find your VLC player's shortcut icon and right-click it. Choose Open File Location. Find the VLC .exe file, right-click on it, and select Properties. In the Compatibility tab, tick the Run this program in compatibility mode for option. If the dropdown list's first option is Windows Vista, your VLC is 64-bit. If the list shows Windows 95, then it is 32-bit.

After downloading, you will get two zip files. Extract the files from them. Then, create a new folder inside the ProgramData folder and name it aacs on your Windows computer. Store the keys database file you extract under the path C:ProgramDataacs.

Next, put the libaccs.dll file in the VLC directory. To find the VLC folder, right-click on the VLC's shortcut icon and choose Open File Location to go to the VLC folder. Then, move the DLL file you download into it.

For Mac Users

Once you download the keys database and AACS dynamic library files, Open Finder on your Mac. Then click the Go and Go to Folder buttons on the menu bar. Next, enter ~/library/ and click the Go button to open the hidden Library folder. Next, place the keys database file you extract in the directory: ~/Library/Preferences/AACS. If the AACS folder does not exist, create one.

After that, click the Go to Folder button again and type ~/lib to go there. Place your AACS dynamic library file there.

Now that you have fixed the VLC won't play Blu-ray issue and will no longer see the errors. Walk through the following steps to play Blu-ray with VLC Media Player on Windows and Mac.

Part 2: How to Play Blu-ray Discs with VLC Media Player on PC & Mac

Since you have got the correct VLC Blu-ray codec files, you can easily watch your Blu-ray movies now in VLC. Whether you want the VLC to play Blu-ray on Windows 10, 11, or earlier or on Mac, the guide here covers all.

VLC Plays Blu-ray on PC

Step 1Insert 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 2Click the Browse button to open the Blu-ray disc. Next, click the Play button below to play the disc in VLC. You can control the Blu-ray menu in VLC by clicking on the titles.

VLC Plays Blu-ray on Mac

Step 1After 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 2Select the disc your insert and click the Open button to import it. Then, again, click the Open button to play the Blu-ray disc in VLC.

Bonus Tip: Change Blu-ray Region Code in VLC

When you fail to play Blu-ray with a VLC player, the region codes can be the main cause. If the program's region code does not match your discs, VLC won't play Blu-ray either. To solve this, you need a compatible disc drive to read the Blu-ray disc and follow the steps below to change the region codes in VLC.

Step 1Press Ctrl and P keys after launching the VLC player. In the Preferences window, tick the All option at the bottom to show all settings.

Step 2Find Input/Codecs and open the Access modules dropdown list. Select Blu-ray. You will see the region code dropdown option on the right. Choose the code that matches your disc. Besides you can also disable the Blu-ray menus in VLC.

Part3: Best Alternative to VLC that Plays Blu-ray Effortlessly

Blu-ray Player, recommended by Blu-ray Software, is a convenient Blu-ray player available on Windows and Mac. Using this VLC alternative to play Blu-ray is simple and quick. Within a few clicks, you can enjoy Blu-ray movies regardless of encryption. Supporting Ultra HD 4K picture and DTS and Dolby Digital sound, this alternative player enhances your Blu-ray watching experience to the greatest extent. Besides, the straightforward menu control lets you switch to new audio tracks, titles, or subtitles whenever possible.

How to Play Blu-ray with the VLC Alternative

Step 1Get a free download of this convenient alternative via the button above. Then, insert the disc into the drive. Launch the player and click the Open Disc button to select the disc you insert.

Step 2Your disc will start playing the main movie from your disc. Click the Menu button below if you want to select titles to play. You can switch audio tracks from the Menu button. Meanwhile, you can view the titles and chapters of the Blu-ray by clicking the Playlist button.

Part 4: FAQs about VLC Plays Blu-ray

• How to adjust the volume when playing Blu-ray with VLC

  Use the volume slider on the left corner below in VLC. Alternatively, you can press the up or down arrows to turn up or the volume down.

• Is the VLC region free to play Blu-ray?

  VLC supports all Blu-ray region codes A, B, and C. But the disc drive on your computer is what matters. If the drive is Region A, it can't read your Region B discs. Even if you change the VLC region codes to region B, VLC won’t play this Blu-ray disc.

• How to access the Blu-ray menu in VLC?

  Once you open the Blu-ray disc with VLC, the program will start from the menu. To re-watch the disc menu, click the Menu button with a disc icon.