Info > Compatibility Mode
1. Optimize Media Compatibility
Since the version of PowerPoint 2007, a compatibility checker is available on the Windows computer. When encountering the PowerPoint codec unavailable problem, you should first open the presentation file, then go to “File” > “Info”. If there are some media files incompatible with the PowerPoint version you’re using, the Compatibility Mode option will appear. Select the option and optimize videos, audio and other media files in the PowerPoint. Then play the video or audio to see whether the problem is solved.
Best Formats for Video in PowerPoint
2. Convert Videos for PowerPoint
The most likely cause of the problem is unsupported codecs.
For PowerPoint 2010, you’d better use WMV format for video files, and WMA and WAV for audio files. For later versions, MP4 encoded with H.264/AAC is the recommended setting for video files, and M4A format with AAC codec is a suggested option for audio files.
Although MP4 is the recommended option for PowerPoint, there is one exception: the 32-bit version of PowerPoint 2010 can’t play MP4 and MOV files unless the QuickTime for Windows is installed.
You can convert any unsupported video or audio for PowerPoint with a dedicated video converter. Refer to #Part 2 for detailed tutorial.
3. Install a Suitable Codec
The formats that different versions of PowerPoint support are varied yet limited. When you play a video or audio file in PowerPoint but the format is not well supported by the PowerPoint version, you will also face with the codec unavailable PowerPoint issues. Try to install a codec pack that can examine media files and finds the codec needed for playing in PowerPoint, such as CodecInstaller.
Change the Extension of the PPT File
4. Change the File Extension from .ppt to .pptx
If you have received a PowerPoint presentation file from others, which was created on an older version of PowerPoint, you can change the file extension from .ppt to .pptx to let the presentation file to be seamlessly played on your presentation program.
Delete TEMP files
5. Clear the TEMP folder
Large quantities of file data stored in the “TEMP” folder on your PC may cause PowerPoint freezing when you play a media file in it so you can try to delete some needless files in the TEMP folder and free up some space, which can work in some situations.
First close all running programs. To find the TEMP folder, click on Start > Run, or use the shortcut key combinations of Win+R; then, enter %temp% into the new Run dialog, select “OK; in the TEMP folder, select all files with a .tmp extension and delete them. Now, restart your computer and play the file in PowerPoint again.