How to Play AC3 & DTS Audio - Fix Silent MKV & AVI Files

Movie file plays with no sound, or no surround? The audio track is probably AC3 (Dolby Digital) or DTS, and your player cannot decode it yet. Here is the quick fix.

How to play AC3 and DTS audio in AVI, MKV and OGM files

AC3 and DTS are the surround-sound tracks inside a lot of AVI, MKV and OGM movie files. If your media player has no decoder for them, the video plays but the audio is silent or missing channels.

There are two easy ways to fix it - one needs no setup at all, the other adds the decoder to the player you already use.

The short version

Easiest route: play the file in VLC Media Player, which decodes AC3 and DTS on its own with nothing to install.

Want to keep using your current player instead? Install the free AC3 Filter - it adds AC3/DTS decoding to any DirectShow player on Windows. For Winamp, use WinampAC3 instead (more on that below).

The no-setup way: use VLC

VLC Media Player carries its own AC3 and DTS decoders. Open the file in VLC and the sound just works - no filters, no settings, no fuss. For most people this is the whole answer.

If you only hit this problem now and then, VLC is the simplest fix. Keep it around as your "plays anything" backup player.

Add AC3/DTS to your usual player

Prefer to stay with a DirectShow player like Media Player Classic, Windows Media Player or Zoom Player? Install AC3 Filter.

It is a free DirectShow filter for real-time audio decoding. Once installed it works immediately with no configuration - your existing player can now play AC3 and DTS tracks in AVI, MKV and OGM files.

Worth knowing

AC3 Filter still works, but it has not been updated since 2013. If you would rather not run older software, VLC (above) or a maintained codec pack does the same job with current code. AC3 Filter is best when you specifically want its advanced audio controls.

Playing AC3/DTS in Winamp

Winamp needs a different add-on. Install WinampAC3, a plugin built on the same decoder library as AC3 Filter. Unlike the filter, it does need a quick setup.

Install WinampAC3, then open Winamp's Preferences and configure the AC3 Input plug-in - it may not work until you do.
In the plug-in settings, set Output to 3/2+SW 5.1 channels.

Winamp Preferences - selecting the AC3 input plug-in

WinampAC3 configuration - Output set to 3/2+SW 5.1 channels

Do not install AC3 Filter just to play these files in Winamp. For Winamp you only need WinampAC3 - the two are separate solutions.

Quick questions

What are AC3 and DTS?

They are surround-sound audio formats. AC3 is Dolby Digital, DTS is Digital Theatre Surround - both are common inside movie files and on DVDs. Your player needs a matching decoder to turn them into sound.

Why does my MKV video play but have no sound?

The video codec is supported but the audio track (usually AC3 or DTS) has no decoder on your system. Play it in VLC, or install AC3 Filter to fix it in your current player.

Do I need AC3 Filter if I use VLC?

No. VLC has AC3 and DTS decoding built in, so you do not need any extra filter. AC3 Filter is only for DirectShow players that lack their own decoder.

Is AC3 Filter safe to use?

Yes. It is long-established free software and still works on Windows, though it has not been updated since 2013. Download it from a trusted source such as free-codecs.com, and use VLC if you prefer current, maintained code.

Download AC3 Filter ->