Troubleshooting

Q:How can I find out which component of the codec pack is the cause of a certain problem I am having after installing the codec pack?
A:
Use the Codec Tweak Tool to disable the DirectShow filters and codecs that were installed by the pack. Disable one or a few at a time, until the problem is gone. That should make you able to figure out which item is the culprit.
Please also report the problem plus the problematic component that caused the problem to us. Then that information can be added to this FAQ, or a solution can be devised to fix, prevent or workaround the problem.
Q:How can I see which codecs and filters are being used to play a file?
A:
You can do that in several ways.
Media Player Classic: While playing a file, click on 'Play' in the top menu, then move your mouse onto 'Filters' in the drop down menu.
BS.Player: While playing a file, right-click on BS.Player. In the menu that appears, click on 'options', then on 'Filters'.
GraphEdit: Start GraphEdit. Drag and drop a file into the window. A graph will be build showing all filters that are used to play the file.
GSpot: Start the GSpot program. Open a file in it. At the bottom you see "Proposed Codec Solutions and Tests". Click on the "1" below "MS A/V". Now you can see the names of the filters that are used to render that file. Move you mouse over them to see their filenames.
ZoomPlayer: While playing a file, right-click on ZoomPlayer. In the menu that appears, click on 'Filter Properties', then on 'Graph Information'.
Q:How can I generate a list of all codecs and filters that are installed on my system?
A:
Run the Codec Tweak Tool and select the option to generate a text file containing all the installed DirectShow filters and VFW/ACM codecs.
Q:How can I remove broken codecs and DirectShow filters?
A:
Run the Codec Tweak Tool and select the two options to detect broken codecs and DirectShow filters. If the tool detects something that is broken, it will prompt you with the details and you will be given the option to remove the broken item.
Q:How can I remove a DirectShow filter?
A:
You can do this in several ways.
Codec Tweak Tool:
Run the codec tweak tool that is included with the K-Lite Codec Pack. It has the ability to disable several DirectShow filters ("DirectShow Filter Management").
GSpot:
Open the GSpot Codec Information tool. In its menu click on 'System', then on 'List Codecs and Other Filters'.

To find the location of the filter, right-click on it and select 'Detailed Properties'.

To disable a filter, right-click on it and select 'Un-Register Filter'.
Manually:
To manually disable a filter from the command-line use:

Start -> Run -> type: regsvr32 /u example.ax and press enter

If the file is located outside the Windows system32 folder, then you need to use the full path of the file instead of just the filename. If the path contains spaces, then surround it with quotes. For example:
regsvr32 /u "c:\program files\ac3filter\ac3filter.ax"
Some notes:
If unregistering fails, it usually is because the file is no longer present on your system, but it's information is still present the Windows Registry. GSpot usually indicates (with a red color) if there is a problem. The Codec Tweak Tool that is included with the K-Lite Codec Pack has the ability to scan for broken filters and remove them.

If unregistering succeeds, then the filter is disabled and it won't be used anymore. The file itself must be removed manually.

Be careful what you remove. Don't simply remove everything. A lot of filters are standard components of Windows or DirectX (e.g. quartz.dll). Don't remove those. If you are unsure, then right-click on the file (in Windows Explorer) and select properties. If is says anything about Microsoft Windows or DirectX in the properties, then you shouldn't touch it.
Q:How can I remove an ACM audio codec?
A:
You can do this in several ways.
Codec Tweak Tool:
Run the codec tweak tool that is included with the K-Lite Codec Pack. It has the ability to disable the most common ACM codecs ("Codec Management").
Manually:
Go to the Windows Control Panel (Start > Settings > Control Panel) and double-click on 'System' to go to the System Properties.

Click on the 'Hardware' tab, then on the 'Device manager' button. Open 'Sound, video and game controllers'. Right-click on 'Audio Codecs' and select 'Properties'. On the properties tab you can remove audio codecs.
Some notes:
Be careful what you remove. Don't simply remove everything. Some codecs are standard components of Windows or DirectX. Don't remove those. If you are unsure what to do, we advice you not to touch anything.
Q:How can I remove a VFW video codec?
A:
You can do this in several ways.
Codec Tweak Tool:
Run the codec tweak tool that is included with the K-Lite Codec Pack. It has the ability to disable the most common VFW codecs ("Codec Management").
Manually:
Go to the Windows Control Panel (Start > Settings > Control Panel) and double-click on 'System' to go to the System Properties.

Click on the 'Hardware' tab, then on the 'Device manager' button. Open 'Sound, video and game controllers'. Right-click on 'Video Codecs' and select 'Properties'. On the properties tab you can remove video codecs.
Some notes:
Be careful what you remove. Don't simply remove everything. Some codecs are standard components of Windows or DirectX. Don't remove those. If you are unsure what to do, we advice you not to touch anything.
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