Open your terminal and run: sudo apt-get install vlc-plugin-libde265
I searched for a fix and found this guide on how to install the HEVC codec. The process was surprisingly simple—just a quick download and installation. Now, my VLC plays everything perfectly. The video quality is crisp, and there’s no stuttering or lag, even on 4K files.
VLC Media Player usually includes HEVC (H.265) support natively, so you don't typically need to install an external codec. However, if you are seeing errors or experiencing choppy playback, follow these steps to ensure HEVC is optimized specifically for VLC: 1. Update VLC to the Latest Version