In this article, I am going to show you how to install multimedia codecs on Ubuntu 20.04 LTS and prepare it for watching videos, listening musics etc. So, let’s get started.

Enabling Package Repositories:

First, you have to make sure that the official main, restricted, universe and multiverse repositories are enabled.

To do that, open the Software & Updates app from the Application Menu of Ubuntu 20.04 LTS.

Install Multimedia Codecs Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Media Players ubuntu

Now, in the Ubuntu Software tab, make sure the marked check boxes are checked.

Install Multimedia Codecs Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Media Players ubuntu

Updating Package Repository Cache:

Now, update the package repository cache with the following command:

Install Multimedia Codecs Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Media Players ubuntu

The APT package repository cache should be updated.

Install Multimedia Codecs Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Media Players ubuntu

Installing Multimedia Codecs:

Multimedia codecs are essential for playing audio and video files. By default, multimedia codecs are not installed on Ubuntu 20.04 LTS.

As you can see, I am not able to play the video file Big Buck Bunny-720.mp4 with the default Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Videos app. Once you install the multimedia codecs, you will be able to play any videos/audios with any video/audio player on Ubuntu 20.04 LTS.

Install Multimedia Codecs Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Media Players ubuntu

You can install all the available multimedia codecs at once with the following command:

$ sudo apt install ubuntu-restricted-extras

Install Multimedia Codecs Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Media Players ubuntu

Now, to confirm the installation, press Y and then press .

Install Multimedia Codecs Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Media Players ubuntu

Ubuntu should download all the required packages from the internet.

Install Multimedia Codecs Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Media Players ubuntu

Ubuntu 20.04 LTS will install Microsoft fonts along with the multimedia codecs.

You have to accept the EULA (End User License Agreement) of Microsoft if you want to install Microsoft fonts on Ubuntu 20.04.

Select and press .

Install Multimedia Codecs Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Media Players ubuntu

Now, select and press to accept the Microsoft EULA.

NOTE: If you don’t want to install Microsoft fonts, don’t accept the Microsoft EULA. Just select and press .

Install Multimedia Codecs Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Media Players ubuntu

The installer should continue.

Install Multimedia Codecs Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Media Players ubuntu

At this point, all the multimedia codecs should be installed.

Install Multimedia Codecs Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Media Players ubuntu

Once the multimedia codecs are installed, you should be able to play any video/audio file on Ubuntu 20.04 LTS as you can see in the screenshot below.

Install Multimedia Codecs Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Media Players ubuntu

Installing VLC Media Player:

You can install VLC media player on Ubuntu 20.04 LTS. VLC media player is one of the best video and audio player out there. It can play almost any type of media files. There is a saying that if VLC can’t play a media file, no other player can. I personally like VLC media player a lot.

You can install VLC media player with the following command:

Install Multimedia Codecs Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Media Players ubuntu

Now, to confirm the installation, press Y and then press .

Install Multimedia Codecs Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Media Players ubuntu

All the required packages are being downloaded from the internet.

Install Multimedia Codecs Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Media Players ubuntu

At this point, VLC should be installed.

Install Multimedia Codecs Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Media Players ubuntu

Now, to play a media file with VLC, right click (mouse) on the file and click on Open With Other Application.

Install Multimedia Codecs Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Media Players ubuntu

Select VLC media player from the list and click on Select.

Install Multimedia Codecs Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Media Players ubuntu

As you’re running VLC media player for the first time, you will see the following window.

Check Allow metadata network access and click on Continue. This way, VLC will automatically download information about the media file being played (i.e. album covers) from the internet.

Install Multimedia Codecs Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Media Players ubuntu

VLC is playing Sintel – the movie.mp4 file as you can see in the screenshot below.

Install Multimedia Codecs Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Media Players ubuntu

Installing Clementine Music Player:

If you don’t like Rhythmbox, the default music player of Ubuntu 20.04 LTS, you can try Clementine. It is like Rhythmbox, but it has a better user interface and more features. Clementine can also download the lyrics, album cover, artist information etc. of the music you’re playing automatically.

You can install Clementine with the following command:

$ sudo apt install clementine

Install Multimedia Codecs Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Media Players ubuntu

To confirm the installation, press Y and then press .

Install Multimedia Codecs Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Media Players ubuntu

Clementine should be installed.

Install Multimedia Codecs Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Media Players ubuntu

Once you have installed Clementine, you can start Clementine from the Application Menu of Ubuntu 20.04 LTS.

Install Multimedia Codecs Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Media Players ubuntu

Clementine music player should start.

Install Multimedia Codecs Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Media Players ubuntu

As you can see, Clementine is playing a music. On the right, the lyrics of the music is being displayed.

Install Multimedia Codecs Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Media Players ubuntu

Set Default Video and Music Player on Ubuntu 20.04 LTS:

If you want to change the default video and music player on Ubuntu 20.04 LTS, this section is for you.

First, open the Settings app from the Application Menu of Ubuntu 20.04 LTS.

Install Multimedia Codecs Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Media Players ubuntu

Now, go to the Default Applications tab from the Settings app. As you can see, Rhythmbox is set as the default Music player and Videos is set as the default Video player on Ubuntu 20.04 LTS.

Install Multimedia Codecs Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Media Players ubuntu

To change the default Video player to VLC media player, click on the Video dropdown menu and select VLC media player form the list.

Install Multimedia Codecs Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Media Players ubuntu

The same way, click on the Music dropdown menu and select your default music player from the list.

Install Multimedia Codecs Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Media Players ubuntu

As you can see, VLC media player is set as the default Video player and Clementine music player is set as the default Music player.

Install Multimedia Codecs Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Media Players ubuntu

So, that is how you install multimedia codecs on Ubuntu 20.04 LTS. Thanks for reading this article.

About the author

Install Multimedia Codecs Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Media Players ubuntu

Shahriar Shovon

Freelancer & Linux System Administrator. Also loves Web API development with Node.js and JavaScript. I was born in Bangladesh. I am currently studying Electronics and Communication Engineering at Khulna University of Engineering & Technology (KUET), one of the demanding public engineering universities of Bangladesh.