VLC includes its own bundled HEVC decoder and plays most MKV files immediately after installation.
If your hardware is too old for HEVC decoding, convert the file.
Optional - Additional Codec Packages: Ensure you have the necessary codec packages. Some users might need these for complete compatibility:
sudo apt install ubuntu-restricted-addons
sudo apt install ubuntu-restricted-extras
Run these commands to confirm HEVC support:
# Check installed codecs
apt list --installed | grep -E "hevc|265|x265"
Below are step-by-step instructions to install the necessary codecs and players so you can play MKV files encoded with HEVC (H.265) on Linux Mint. These steps cover the common Mint releases (based on Ubuntu) and assume a default desktop environment (Cinnamon); commands work in Terminal.
Prerequisites
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade -y
sudo add-apt-repository universe
sudo add-apt-repository multiverse
sudo apt update
sudo apt install ubuntu-restricted-extras ffmpeg gstreamer1.0-libav gstreamer1.0-plugins-bad gstreamer1.0-plugins-ugly -y
sudo apt install vlc -y
If an older VLC version from the Mint repositories fails to decode some HEVC files, install the Snap or Flatpak build:
flatpak install flathub org.videolan.VLC
sudo snap install vlc
sudo apt install mpv -y
MPV uses FFmpeg libraries and handles HEVC well.
a) Intel/AMD (VA-API)
sudo apt install vainfo libva2 i965-va-driver-shaders intel-media-va-driver-non-free -y
Note: Driver package names vary by GPU generation and distribution; use intel-media-driver or i965 driver accordingly. Run:
vainfo
to verify VA-API works.
b) NVIDIA
NVIDIA’s proprietary driver plus VDPAU/FFmpeg support is needed. Install the recommended driver via Driver Manager or:
sudo apt install nvidia-driver-XXX
(replace XXX with the recommended version). For VDPAU bindings:
sudo apt install vdpauinfo libvdpau-dev -y
For mpv or VLC, enable hwdec in their settings: install hevc codec for mkv video on linux mint link
hwdec=auto
Monitor CPU usage; if high and GPU supports HEVC, enable hardware decoding as above.
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
sudo add-apt-repository universe
sudo add-apt-repository multiverse
sudo apt update
sudo apt install ubuntu-restricted-extras ffmpeg gstreamer1.0-libav gstreamer1.0-plugins-bad gstreamer1.0-plugins-ugly vlc mpv -y
Optional hardware accel:
sudo apt install vainfo libva2 i965-va-driver-shaders intel-media-va-driver-non-free
# or for NVIDIA:
sudo apt install nvidia-driver-XXX vdpauinfo libvdpau-dev
If you want, I can provide commands tailored to your exact Linux Mint version (e.g., 21.2 Victoria) or help enable Flatpak/Snap builds.
To install HEVC codec for MKV video on Linux Mint, you can use the following methods in the terminal:
Option 1: Install via official repositories (recommended)
sudo apt update
sudo apt install x265
This provides the x265 decoder, which handles HEVC (H.265) playback in most players like VLC, MPV, or Celluloid.
Option 2: Install full multimedia codecs
sudo apt install ubuntu-restricted-extras
(Note: Works on Mint based on Ubuntu. For Mint LMDE, use mint-meta-codecs)
Option 3: Use VLC (which includes HEVC support)
sudo apt install vlc
No external link needed – all packages are in Mint’s default repositories. After installation, restart your media player or log out and back in.
If you still face issues, install ffmpeg:
sudo apt install ffmpeg
For hardware-accelerated decoding (Intel/AMD GPUs), install vaapi drivers:
sudo apt install intel-media-va-driver # for Intel
sudo apt install mesa-va-drivers # for AMD
To play HEVC (H.265) encoded MKV videos on Linux Mint, you typically need to install the multimedia codec meta-package or specific plugins for players like VLC and GStreamer. Method 1: Install System-Wide Multimedia Codecs
The most comprehensive way to resolve codec issues in Linux Mint is to install the official meta-package. This includes a wide range of codecs beyond just HEVC. VLC includes its own bundled HEVC decoder and
Via the Menu: Navigate to Menu > Sound & Video > Install Multimedia Codecs and follow the prompts to install. Via Terminal: Open the terminal and run: sudo apt install mint-meta-codecs Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard
This command installs the full suite of proprietary and restricted codecs required for most media formats. Method 2: Install HEVC Support via PPA
If the standard meta-package does not work or if you are using an older version of Mint, you can use the libde265 PPA to add high-efficiency video decoding support. Add the Repository:
sudo apt-add-repository ppa:strukturag/libde265 sudo apt update Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard Install Plugins: For VLC: sudo apt install vlc-plugin-libde265.
For GStreamer (System Players): sudo apt install gstreamer1.0-libde265. Method 3: Alternative Media Players
Some players come with built-in support for HEVC and do not require additional system-wide codecs.
VLC Media Player: Newer versions of VLC Media Player often support H.265 out of the box, but if it fails, the vlc-plugin-libde265 mentioned above is the standard fix.
MPV/Celluloid: Many users on the Linux Mint Forums report that players like Celluloid (formerly GNOME MPV) handle HEVC content natively without extra configuration.
For further troubleshooting, you can check the specific codec inside your MKV file by running mkvinfo filename.mkv | grep "Codec ID" in the terminal.
How to configure H.265/HEVC in Linux? - Tutorial - Dedoimedo
To install the HEVC (H.265) codec for MKV video playback on Linux Mint, the most efficient method is to install the mint-meta-codecs package, which contains all essential multimedia libraries. If you already have codecs but still face issues in specific players like VLC, you may need additional plugins. 1. Install via Graphical Interface
The simplest way for Mint users is through the built-in application menu: Go to Launch Menu →right arrow Sound & Video. Select Install Multimedia Codecs. Follow the prompts and enter your password when requested. 2. Install via Terminal (Recommended)
Using the terminal is often faster and ensures you get the full suite of necessary dependencies. Optional - Additional Codec Packages: Ensure you have
Complete Codec Suite: Run the following command to install the standard Mint codec meta-package:sudo apt install mint-meta-codecs
VLC-Specific Support: If you use VLC Media Player (highly recommended for its native HEVC support), ensure the following plugin is installed:sudo apt install vlc-plugin-libde265
GStreamer Support: For other players like Xplayer or Celluloid, install the GStreamer plugin:sudo apt install gstreamer1.0-libde265 3. Alternative: Using Advanced Media Players
If you prefer not to manage system-wide codecs, certain players come bundled with their own internal libraries for HEVC: How to install H.265 / HEVC codec on Ubuntu Linux?
To play HEVC (H.265) video content within an MKV container on Linux Mint, you can install the essential multimedia codecs via the terminal or the system menu. Quick Installation Method
The most straightforward way to ensure your system supports HEVC and other restricted formats is to install the mint-meta-codecs (Ctrl+Alt+T). Run the following command: sudo apt update && sudo apt install mint-meta-codecs
Enter your password when prompted and confirm the installation. Alternative: GUI Method
If you prefer not to use the terminal, Linux Mint provides a built-in tool: Launch Menu Sound & Video Install Multimedia Codecs Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation. Recommended Media Players
If you still encounter playback issues after installing the codecs, consider using a player that includes its own built-in codec library, bypassing the need for system-wide configuration: VLC Media Player
: A highly reliable player that supports HEVC out of the box. You can find it on the official VLC website or install it via sudo apt install vlc
: Known for its ability to play virtually any format without external codecs. It is available for download at the SMPlayer official site
: The default player in Linux Mint, which acts as a frontend for
and generally handles HEVC well if system codecs are present. Troubleshooting HEVC Playback Install multimedia codecs - Linux Mint Forums Nov 6, 2556 BE —