The VLC is unable to open the MRL error appears when VLC player is trying to open a file or stream a movie located on somewhere else than the local computer. The possible reason for the issue to appear is that your VLC player is not able to get hold on it.
This could be because of internal firewall roadblock of application error, which is likely to be not a fault in the application itself but with the host of the content remotely located.
Since the error occurs when a remotely located content is not accessible, you have to perform the steps below methods to pinpoint the source of the problem and get its solution. These collection of methods are the ones that helped other users to get the issue fixed.
Methods to fix VLC is unable to open the MRL error
Method 1: Ensure if the source is working
The very first thing you should do is to make ensure that the source you are trying to access is actually working or not. Since the issue is usually related with streams and other URL-based content- you should go to the File> Network Stream and copy the URL you are trying to access there.
Paste this URL on your browser and see if it begins playing. If not, it is very likely the case that the issue doesn’t lie with your VLC player but with the source instead. If the source function is in your browser in another media player, continue with the below methods.
Method 2: Uninstall your Firewall Settings
Overprotective firewalls can block some necessary ports that are needed for VLC to steam the source successfully. You would need to stop your antivirus tool interfering with your content streaming. The steps would be completely different depend on the firewall application you are using.
For an AVG users, go to the Firewall> Tools/Firewall settings and select Applications on the left and click Allow for all to the VLC media player to the right pane. If you are using a different antivirus, you have to use some specific steps related to the security suite you are using.
Alternatively, you can use the built-in solution instead of third party firewall. Windows Defender is not known to cause any conflicts with VLC like other 3rd party firewalls do. Here are the quick guide how to uninstall a third party security suite and use the builty-in-firewall:
- Pres win+ R to open Run,
- Type in apwiz.cpl and hit Enter,
- In the opened Programs and Features Window, scroll down through the application list and right-click > uninstall on the 3rd party firewall suite that you are using,
- Follow the on-screen prompts to remove the external firewall from the system,
- Reboot the device the then,
- Up next, windows Defender firewall will enable itself automatically. Check if this resolves VLC is unable to open the MRL error.
Method 3: Install the latest VLC media player version
Some internal application error or glitch might be causing this issue. Thus, you might get a simple solution just by uninstalling VLC and installing the latest available build from the official website:
- Press win+ R, type in appwiz.cpl and hit Enter,
- In the Programs and Features window containing app list, locate VLC, right-click on it and select Uninstall,
- Follow the on-screen instruction to remove VLC media player and then restart your PC,
- Next to this, visit the official website of the VLC media player and download its latest version to your system and install it by following the on-screen instructions,
- Restart it, if needed. Once the app is installed, see if you are now able to steam content without VLC is unable to open the mrl error.
Method 4: Claim the ownership of the files
Certain users receive the issue under discussion when they try to play certain type of files located within external storage drives or on removable external drives. Apparently, they get the error fix by claiming the ownership of the files that were opened:
- Right-click on the file opening the error and select its properties,
- Go to the security tab, click on Advanced associated with permissions,
- Click Change button associated with owner the then,
- Now, type Administrator in the box with the text Enter the object name to, select and hit Ok,
- Mark the box Replace all child object permission entries with inheritable permission entries from this objects and click on Apply.
Conclusion
That’s all! We are now round off our article how to fix VLC is unable to open the MRL error. Hopefully, the above-mentioned methods help you in getting the fix. If you still encountering the issue perform full system scan using PC Repair Tool. Here is direct download link for this tool.
The tool will scan the system for missing and corrupted files and provide their automatic replacement. The issue in question would be gone if it is result due to the system corruption. The tool is also helpful in optimizing the system performance.
