Just Fixed PS4 Won’t Play MP4 from USB, and Here’s Why and How

If you’ve ever plugged a USB stick into your PlayStation 4 hoping to watch an MP4 video file, only to find that it doesn’t play — you’re not alone. This is a common issue that frustrates many users. Recently, I finally managed to solve this exact problem on my setup, and in this article, I’ll break down exactly why the PS4 sometimes refuses to play MP4 files from a USB drive, and how you can fix it for good.

Understanding the Problem

You might assume that since MP4 is one of the most common video formats, it should work flawlessly on any modern device, including the PS4. However, while the PS4 does support MP4 files, it’s more complicated than that. The key lies in the video and audio codecs used inside the MP4 container.

An MP4 file is essentially a container that can hold video, audio, subtitles, and more. The PS4 supports MP4 files only if they are encoded with specific codecs:

  • Video Codec: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC
  • Audio Codec: AAC LC or MP3

If your MP4 file uses something exotic like H.265/HEVC for the video or AC3 for the audio, the PS4 simply won’t be able to play it.

File System Matters Too

Another overlooked issue is the format of your USB drive. The PS4 only supports USB drives formatted in FAT32 or exFAT. If your drive is formatted in NTFS (which is common on Windows), the PS4 won’t even recognize it properly.

To check and reformat your USB drive:

  1. Connect the drive to your computer.
  2. Backup any files (reformatting will erase everything).
  3. Right-click your USB drive in File Explorer and select Format.
  4. Choose FAT32 or exFAT and click Start.

How I Fixed It

To get everything working smoothly, here’s what I did step-by-step:

  1. Converted my video files: I used a free tool called HandBrake to convert my MP4 files. I made sure to select H.264 for the video encoder and AAC for audio.
  2. Formatted my USB to exFAT: That allowed me to store larger file sizes as well, which is useful for high-definition videos.
  3. Organized my files properly: The PS4 requires media files to be stored in a specific folder structure. For videos, you should place them in a folder called Videos within the root directory of your USB.

Verifying Compatible Formats

Here’s a quick checklist to make sure your MP4 files will work on the PS4:

  • Video Codec: H.264 only
  • Audio Codec: AAC LC or MP3
  • USB Format: FAT32 or exFAT (NTFS will not work)
  • File Location: Inside a folder named Videos

If your file doesn’t meet one or more of these requirements, chances are your PS4 won’t be able to play it.

Optional: Use the PS4 Media Player App

Don’t forget that you’re actually watching these videos through the Media Player app on PS4. If you haven’t already, make sure it’s installed and up to date. This app is what enables external video playback, and an outdated version can also cause compatibility issues.

Conclusion

Just because a file has an .mp4 extension doesn’t mean it’s universally compatible. Thanks to a few technical nuances in codecs and USB formatting, many users struggle to play MP4 files on their PS4s. But now that you know what to watch for — and how to address it — you can enjoy your favorite videos without a hitch.

In the end, fixing this issue comes down to two things: using the right file encoding and preparing your USB drive correctly. Once these are in place, your PS4 will handle MP4 playback like a charm.

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