You may notice that when you insert an AV1 encoded video file into PowerPoint, the video plays with no audio, shows a green screen, or fails to render entirely. This issue occurs because PowerPoint relies on system codecs to decode video, and AV1 support is not enabled by default on many Windows installations. This article explains how AV1 codec compatibility works in PowerPoint, which versions support it, and what you need to do to play AV1 videos reliably.
Key Takeaways: AV1 Video Playback in PowerPoint
- AV1 Video Extension from Microsoft Store: Required on Windows 10 and Windows 11 for PowerPoint to decode AV1 files.
- PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 Version 2108 or newer: Officially supports AV1 playback when the codec is installed.
- PowerPoint 2021 and 2019: Do not support AV1 natively; videos must be converted to H.264 or MPEG-4.
How PowerPoint Handles AV1 Video Codecs
PowerPoint does not include its own video decoder. It uses the Media Foundation framework in Windows to decode video files. When you insert an MP4 file with AV1 encoding, PowerPoint asks the operating system to play it. If Windows does not have an AV1 decoder registered, PowerPoint cannot show the video or plays it incorrectly.
The AV1 codec is a modern, royalty-free video compression format developed by the Alliance for Open Media. It provides better compression than H.264 or H.265, but it requires more processing power and a software decoder on older hardware. Microsoft added AV1 support to Windows 10 and Windows 11 through a separate extension called the AV1 Video Extension, available from the Microsoft Store.
PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 added official AV1 support in Version 2108 (build 14326.20000) released in August 2021. Earlier versions of PowerPoint, including PowerPoint 2019 and 2021 standalone editions, do not support AV1. If you use those versions, any AV1 video will fail to play or show only a black frame.
Hardware acceleration also affects AV1 playback. If your computer has a GPU that supports AV1 decoding, such as an Intel Arc, NVIDIA RTX 30 series or newer, or AMD RX 6000 series or newer, Windows can use hardware to decode the video. Without hardware support, the CPU handles decoding, which can cause stuttering or high CPU usage during slideshows.
Steps to Enable AV1 Video Playback in PowerPoint
Install the AV1 Video Extension
- Open the Microsoft Store
Click the Start button, type Store, and select Microsoft Store from the results. - Search for AV1 Video Extension
In the Store search bar, type AV1 Video Extension and press Enter. The result should show AV1 Video Extension published by Microsoft Corporation. - Install the extension
Click the Install button. The download is about 3 MB and takes a few seconds. After installation, close the Store. - Restart PowerPoint
Close any open PowerPoint windows and reopen the presentation that contains the AV1 video. The video should now play correctly.
Check Your PowerPoint Version
- Open File > Account
In PowerPoint, click File in the top-left corner, then click Account in the left panel. - View the About PowerPoint section
Under Product Information, look for the version number. If it starts with 2108 or higher, your copy supports AV1. If it is 2107 or lower, you need to update. - Update PowerPoint
Click Update Options > Update Now. Wait for the update to finish and restart PowerPoint.
Convert AV1 Video to H.264 for Older PowerPoint Versions
- Open a video converter tool
Use a free tool like HandBrake or the built-in Clipchamp app in Windows 11. Open the tool and select your AV1 video file. - Choose H.264 as the output codec
In the tool settings, set the video codec to H.264 (also called AVC). Set the container to MP4. Keep the resolution the same as the original. - Start the conversion
Click Start or Convert. Wait for the process to finish. The converted file will be smaller in size but will play in any PowerPoint version. - Insert the converted video into PowerPoint
Go to Insert > Video > This Device and select the converted H.264 MP4 file. Remove the original AV1 video from the slide.
Common AV1 Playback Problems and Workarounds
AV1 Video Plays With No Audio in PowerPoint
This usually means the audio track inside the AV1 container uses a codec PowerPoint cannot decode, such as Opus. PowerPoint plays audio through the system audio renderer, but it relies on the codec for decoding. To fix this, convert the video to H.264 with AAC audio. Use a tool like HandBrake and set the audio codec to AAC. After conversion, reinsert the video into PowerPoint.
Green Screen or Black Screen When Playing AV1 Video
A green or black screen indicates that the video decoder is missing or that hardware acceleration is causing a conflict. First, install the AV1 Video Extension from the Microsoft Store as described in the section above. If the issue persists, disable hardware graphics acceleration in PowerPoint. Go to File > Options > Advanced > Display and check the box for Disable hardware graphics acceleration. Restart PowerPoint and test the video again.
PowerPoint Freezes or Crashes When Inserting AV1 Video
This can happen if the AV1 file is corrupted or if the system codec is not fully installed. Try repairing the AV1 Video Extension. Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps, find AV1 Video Extension, click the three dots, and select Advanced options. Scroll down and click Repair. After repair, restart your computer. If the crash continues, convert the video to H.264 before inserting.
AV1 Support in PowerPoint Versions and Platforms
| Item | PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 | PowerPoint 2021 / 2019 Standalone |
|---|---|---|
| AV1 playback support | Version 2108 and newer, with AV1 Video Extension installed | Not supported |
| Required codec | AV1 Video Extension from Microsoft Store | Not applicable |
| Hardware acceleration | Enabled by default; can be disabled via Options | Not applicable |
| Recommended fallback | Convert to H.264 if playback fails | Convert all AV1 videos to H.264 |
PowerPoint for Mac does not support AV1 at all. If you share a presentation with AV1 videos to a Mac user, the videos will not play. Always convert AV1 videos to H.264 before sending the file to someone using a different platform.
PowerPoint for the web uses server-side rendering and does not play embedded videos. It strips the video and shows a placeholder. For online presentations, upload the video separately to a streaming service and link to it.
After installing the AV1 Video Extension and confirming your PowerPoint version, you can insert AV1 videos without issues on Windows. If you need to share the presentation with users on older versions or Mac, convert all videos to H.264 with AAC audio. Use the Compress Media feature in PowerPoint under File > Info > Compress Media to reduce file size without changing the codec.