How to Make VLC Media Player Use Less CPU

VLC Media Player is a remarkably versatile and popular open-source media player, known for its ability to play virtually any video or audio format. However, its resource usage, particularly CPU consumption, can sometimes be higher than expected, leading to sluggish performance, especially on older or less powerful computers. If you’ve noticed VLC straining your system, fear not! There are several effective strategies you can employ to reduce its CPU usage and enjoy smoother playback.

Table of Contents

Understanding Why VLC Uses So Much CPU

Before diving into the solutions, it’s crucial to understand what causes high CPU usage in VLC. Several factors contribute to this issue:

Demanding Codecs and Formats: Some video codecs, like H.265 (HEVC) or high-resolution videos (4K or even 8K), are inherently more computationally intensive to decode. Playing these files puts a heavier load on your CPU.
Hardware Acceleration Issues: While VLC is designed to leverage hardware acceleration for decoding, sometimes the configuration isn’t optimal, or your hardware might not be fully compatible, forcing the CPU to handle the bulk of the work.
Software Decoding: When hardware acceleration is unavailable or not working correctly, VLC resorts to software decoding, which relies entirely on the CPU.
Video Filters and Effects: Applying video filters, like deinterlacing, sharpening, or color adjustments, adds extra processing overhead, increasing CPU usage.
Subtitles: Rendering subtitles, especially complex ones with advanced styling, can also contribute to increased CPU load.
Outdated VLC Version: Older versions of VLC may have less optimized code, leading to higher CPU consumption compared to the latest releases.
Background Processes: Other applications running in the background can compete for CPU resources, exacerbating the problem with VLC.

Optimizing VLC Settings For Lower CPU Usage

The most effective way to reduce VLC’s CPU usage is to fine-tune its settings. Here’s a step-by-step guide to various tweaks you can make:

Enabling Hardware Acceleration

Hardware acceleration is the key to offloading video decoding from the CPU to the GPU, significantly reducing CPU load.

Open VLC Media Player.
Go to Tools > Preferences.
Click on the Input / Codecs tab.
Under the Codec section, find the Hardware-accelerated decoding option.
From the dropdown menu, choose “Automatic” or “DXVA 2.0” (for Windows) or “VDPAU” or “VA-API” (for Linux). Try each option to see which works best for your system. “Automatic” is often the best starting point.
Save the changes and restart VLC.

If you continue to experience high CPU usage, try a different hardware acceleration option in the dropdown. Sometimes, a specific setting might be more compatible with your graphics card and drivers. Experimentation is key.

Adjusting Video Output Settings

The video output module used by VLC can also affect CPU usage. Different output modules have different performance characteristics.

Open VLC Media Player.
Go to Tools > Preferences.
Click on the Video tab.
Under the Display section, find the Output option.
From the dropdown menu, try different output modules. Some options include:
- “Automatic”: Allows VLC to choose the best output module.
- “Direct3D (Windows)”: Generally a good choice for Windows systems.
- “OpenGL video output”: Can be efficient on some systems, particularly Linux.
- “DirectX (DirectDraw) output”: May be suitable for older systems.
- “Dummy video output”: Disables video output (useful for audio-only playback).
Test each option to see which one minimizes CPU usage while maintaining good video quality.
Save the changes and restart VLC.

Disabling Unnecessary Video Filters And Effects

Video filters and effects, such as deinterlacing, sharpening, and color adjustments, can significantly increase CPU usage. Disabling them can improve performance.

Open VLC Media Player.
Go to Tools > Preferences.
Click on the Video tab.
Make sure that the “Enable video” box is checked.
Click on the Filters section within the Video tab.
Disable any filters that are enabled. Common filters to disable include:
- Deinterlace: If you’re not watching interlaced video content (like older TV recordings), disable this.
- Image adjust: Turn off any adjustments to brightness, contrast, hue, etc.
- Spatial smoother: Disable this if enabled.
- Sharpen: Disable this if enabled.
Save the changes and restart VLC.

If you need a specific filter, try using a less demanding alternative. For example, instead of a complex deinterlacing filter, try a simpler one.

Adjusting The Cache Value

The cache value determines how much data VLC buffers before playing the video. Increasing the cache value can sometimes improve playback smoothness and reduce CPU spikes, especially for network streams.

Open VLC Media Player.
Go to Tools > Preferences.
Click on the Input / Codecs tab.
Under the Advanced section, find the File caching (ms) option.
Increase the value. The default is typically 300ms. Try increasing it to 1000ms, 2000ms, or even higher. Experiment to find the optimal value for your system and network conditions. Increasing the value too much can lead to longer startup times.
Save the changes and restart VLC.

A higher cache value can also help with stuttering or buffering issues, particularly when playing videos from a network drive or streaming online content.

Disabling Hardware Decoding For Specific Codecs

In some cases, hardware acceleration might not work optimally for certain codecs, leading to higher CPU usage. You can try disabling hardware decoding for specific codecs to see if it improves performance.

Open VLC Media Player.
Go to Tools > Preferences.
Click on the Input / Codecs tab.
Click on the Codec tab.
Scroll down to the Hardware decoding section.
Uncheck the boxes next to the codecs that are causing problems. For example, if you notice high CPU usage when playing H.264 videos, uncheck the box next to “H264”.
Save the changes and restart VLC.

This approach requires some trial and error. Identify the codecs that cause the most problems and disable hardware decoding for them.

Disabling Subtitles Or Using Simpler Subtitle Formats

Rendering subtitles, especially those with complex styling or embedded fonts, can consume CPU resources. Disabling subtitles or using simpler subtitle formats can reduce CPU usage.

To disable subtitles, go to Video > Subtitles Track > Disable in VLC while playing a video.
If you need subtitles, try using a simpler subtitle format like SRT instead of ASS/SSA, which support advanced styling.
You can also try disabling advanced subtitle rendering options in VLC’s preferences (e.g., disabling embedded fonts).

Adjusting The Deblocking Filter

The deblocking filter is used to reduce blockiness in videos, especially those that have been heavily compressed. However, it can also increase CPU usage.

Open VLC Media Player.
Go to Tools > Preferences.
Click on the Input / Codecs tab.
Under the Codecs section, find the Advanced section.
Find the Skip the loop filter for H.264 decoding option.
From the dropdown menu, choose “Non-Ref Frames” or “All”. Choosing “All” will disable the deblocking filter completely, which can significantly reduce CPU usage but may result in slightly blockier video.

Experiment with different settings to find the best balance between CPU usage and video quality.

Other Tips For Reducing VLC’s CPU Usage

Beyond VLC’s settings, several other factors can influence its CPU usage. Consider these tips:

Closing Unnecessary Applications

Make sure to close any unnecessary applications running in the background that might be consuming CPU resources. This frees up resources for VLC.

Updating Graphics Drivers

Outdated graphics drivers can cause compatibility issues and prevent VLC from properly utilizing hardware acceleration. Update your graphics drivers to the latest version for optimal performance. You can usually find the latest drivers on the manufacturer’s website (Nvidia, AMD, Intel).

Using A Lightweight Media Player

If you’re still experiencing high CPU usage with VLC, consider using a more lightweight media player like MPC-HC (Media Player Classic – Home Cinema) or SMPlayer. These players are often less resource-intensive than VLC.

Encoding Video Files To Less Demanding Formats

If you frequently play videos in computationally intensive formats like H.265 (HEVC), consider encoding them to a less demanding format like H.264. This will reduce the CPU load during playback.

Reducing The Video Resolution

Playing high-resolution videos (4K or 8K) requires significant processing power. If your computer struggles to play these videos smoothly, try reducing the resolution. This can be done either by playing a lower-resolution version of the video or by scaling down the video in VLC’s settings (though this will affect image quality).

Cleaning Your Computer’s Internals

Dust buildup inside your computer can cause overheating, which can lead to performance throttling and increased CPU usage. Clean the inside of your computer regularly to ensure proper cooling. This involves carefully opening your computer case and using compressed air to remove dust from the components, especially the CPU cooler and GPU cooler.

Checking For Malware

Malware can consume significant CPU resources in the background, affecting VLC’s performance. Run a thorough scan with a reputable antivirus program to check for and remove any malware.

Reinstalling VLC

Sometimes, a corrupted VLC installation can lead to performance issues. Try uninstalling VLC and then reinstalling the latest version from the official website. This can resolve any underlying problems with the installation.

By implementing these strategies, you can significantly reduce VLC’s CPU usage and enjoy smoother video playback, even on older or less powerful computers. Remember to experiment with different settings to find the optimal configuration for your specific system and video content. The key is to find the right balance between performance and video quality.

Why Is VLC Media Player Using So Much CPU?

VLC, while a powerful media player, can sometimes consume a significant amount of CPU resources due to its decoding and rendering processes. This is especially true when playing high-resolution videos like 4K or those with complex codecs. The player needs to decode the video and audio streams in real time, and then render the frames onto your screen, all of which can be computationally intensive. Factors such as hardware acceleration settings, the video’s codec, and background processes on your computer can also contribute to high CPU usage.

Inefficient settings or outdated hardware can exacerbate this problem. For example, using software decoding instead of hardware acceleration forces the CPU to handle the entire decoding process, drastically increasing its load. Similarly, if your computer is running many other resource-intensive applications simultaneously, VLC will compete for CPU time, leading to noticeable performance issues and high CPU usage. Therefore, understanding these factors is crucial to optimizing VLC’s performance and reducing CPU load.

How Can I Enable Hardware Acceleration In VLC To Reduce CPU Usage?

Hardware acceleration allows VLC to offload video decoding tasks from the CPU to your computer’s GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). This can significantly reduce CPU usage and improve performance, particularly when playing high-resolution videos. Enabling hardware acceleration typically involves navigating to VLC’s settings and finding the “Input / Codecs” section. There, you should find an option related to hardware-accelerated decoding, which you can then enable.

The specific option might be labeled as “Hardware acceleration decoding” or similar, and you’ll likely have a choice between different modes, such as “Automatic,” “DirectX Video Acceleration (DXVA) 2.0,” or “Video Acceleration API (VA-API).” Experimenting with different modes can help you find the best option for your specific hardware configuration. After changing the setting, restart VLC for the changes to take effect. This simple adjustment can substantially decrease CPU utilization.

What Are The Optimal Video Output Settings In VLC For Lower CPU Usage?

Choosing the right video output settings in VLC can significantly impact CPU usage. The default settings might not be optimized for your specific hardware, leading to unnecessary strain on the CPU. Consider changing the video output module to a less resource-intensive option, such as “Direct3D output” or “OpenGL video output.” These options leverage your GPU for rendering, reducing the load on your CPU.

To adjust these settings, navigate to VLC’s preferences, select the “Video” tab, and then locate the “Output” option. From the dropdown menu, select a different video output module and restart VLC. Experimenting with different options will help you determine which one provides the best balance between visual quality and CPU efficiency for your system. Keep in mind that some output modules may be more compatible with certain graphics cards than others.

How Does The Video Codec Affect CPU Usage In VLC?

The video codec used to encode a video file has a direct impact on the CPU usage during playback in VLC. Some codecs, like H.265 (HEVC), are more complex and computationally intensive to decode than older codecs like H.264 (AVC). Playing videos encoded with H.265, especially in high resolutions, can significantly increase CPU load.

If you frequently experience high CPU usage while playing certain video files, consider checking the codec used for those videos. You can typically find this information within VLC’s “Media Information” section (accessible through the “Tools” menu). If the video is encoded with a demanding codec, you might consider re-encoding it with a less resource-intensive codec like H.264 for smoother playback, although this will require additional processing time and software.

Can Disabling Unnecessary VLC Features Reduce CPU Usage?

Yes, disabling unnecessary features in VLC can contribute to reducing CPU usage. Features like video filters, post-processing effects, and certain audio equalizers can add to the computational load. If you’re not actively using these features, disabling them can free up CPU resources. For example, certain audio enhancements or video sharpening filters, while improving the viewing experience, can consume significant processing power.

To disable these features, navigate to VLC’s preferences and explore the “Audio” and “Video” tabs. Look for options related to audio effects, video filters, and other post-processing settings. Uncheck or disable any features that you don’t need. Restarting VLC after making these changes will ensure that the new settings are applied, potentially leading to a noticeable decrease in CPU utilization.

Is There A Way To Limit VLC’s CPU Usage Through Process Priority?

While not a direct VLC setting, adjusting the process priority of VLC through your operating system can sometimes help manage CPU usage. By lowering VLC’s priority, you essentially tell the operating system to allocate more CPU resources to other processes when needed, potentially preventing VLC from monopolizing the CPU.

However, lowering the priority too much can lead to stuttering or performance issues during video playback. This is because VLC may not receive enough CPU time to decode and render the video smoothly. The optimal setting depends on your system’s specifications and the other applications running simultaneously. Exercise caution when adjusting process priorities, as it can affect the overall responsiveness of your system. Experimenting with different priority levels is essential to finding a balance that reduces CPU usage without compromising video playback quality.

How Does The Video Resolution Affect VLC’s CPU Usage?

Video resolution is a significant factor influencing CPU usage in VLC Media Player. Playing high-resolution videos, such as 4K (3840 x 2160 pixels) or 8K (7680 x 4320 pixels), requires considerably more processing power than playing standard-definition (SD) or high-definition (HD) videos. This is because VLC needs to decode and render a much larger number of pixels per frame for higher-resolution content.

Therefore, if you frequently experience high CPU usage while playing high-resolution videos, consider playing them at a lower resolution, if possible. You can also downscale the video using VLC’s video output settings, though this may affect the visual quality. Alternatively, upgrading your computer’s hardware, particularly the CPU and GPU, can provide the necessary processing power to handle high-resolution videos more efficiently.