VLC Media Player Keyboard Shortcuts – Honestly, VLC Media Player has always been my ultimate go-to for watching videos, and, to be fair, I can’t imagine using anything else. But, let’s be real, using a mouse to control playback feels incredibly outdated, so keyboard shortcuts always save my day. In fact, these shortcuts make everything feel faster, smoother, and far more enjoyable. If you’re tired of dealing with a clunky mouse, then let me walk you through the best shortcuts ever! 🚀
Playback Controls: No More Pausing the Fun!
Clearly, we’ve all had those moments when pausing needs to happen quickly, yet the cursor suddenly disappears, which feels beyond frustrating. Fortunately, these shortcuts work like magic!
- Play/Pause:
Spacebar, so your hands stay free. - Stop Video:
S, because sometimes quitting feels necessary. - Fast Forward:
Shift + Right Arrow, and you’ll skip boring parts instantly. - Rewind:
Shift + Left Arrow, in case something gets missed. - Next Track:
N, for those who love playlists. - Previous Track:
P, when nostalgia suddenly kicks in.
Volume & Audio Controls: No More Eardrum Attacks!
Admittedly, starting a video with an unexpected volume blast can be terrifying, but, thankfully, these shortcuts solve that problem in an instant!
- Increase Volume:
Ctrl + Up Arrow, making everything sound better. - Decrease Volume:
Ctrl + Down Arrow, so peace can return. - Mute/Unmute:
M, because sudden loud scenes are the worst. - Increase Audio Delay:
K, syncing everything perfectly. - Decrease Audio Delay:
J, for fixing lagging voices effortlessly. - Change Audio Track:
B, in case multiple languages exist.
Subtitle & Video Adjustments: Because Reading is Hard
Honestly, out-of-sync subtitles make watching anything feel painful, yet, luckily, these shortcuts provide an easy fix!
- Enable/Disable Subtitles:
V, because not every movie needs them. - Next Subtitle Track:
G, switching between languages quickly. - Increase Subtitle Delay:
H, when words appear late. - Decrease Subtitle Delay:
G, to fix early subtitles. - Increase Brightness:
Alt + Up Arrow, for dark movie scenes. - Decrease Brightness:
Alt + Down Arrow, because horror jumpscares feel even worse when too bright.
Screen & Interface Controls: Fullscreen is a Must!
Obviously, watching a movie while accidentally exiting fullscreen feels annoying, so these shortcuts prevent that disaster!
- Fullscreen Mode:
F, ensuring full immersion. - Exit Fullscreen:
Esc, bringing reality back. - Show/Hide Controls:
Ctrl + H, because sometimes minimalism feels better. - Minimize VLC:
Ctrl + M, which helps when sneaky watching happens. - Zoom In/Out:
Z, allowing better scene details.
Playback Speed: Because Some Movies Are TOO SLOW
Predictably, some movies drag on forever, so tweaking speed feels necessary!
- Increase Speed:
], so boring scenes disappear faster. - Decrease Speed:
[, allowing slow-motion for epic moments. - Normal Speed:
=, when reality needs to return.
Navigation & Media Selection: Quick Access is Key!
Clearly, wasting time searching for media feels frustrating, yet these shortcuts simplify everything.
- Open File:
Ctrl + O, skipping annoying drag-and-drop methods. - Open Folder:
Ctrl + F, making binge-watching easy. - Open Network Stream:
Ctrl + N, perfect for YouTube lovers. - Jump Forward (Short):
Right Arrow, skipping just a little. - Jump Backward (Short):
Left Arrow, for minor rewinds. - Jump Forward (Long):
Alt + Right Arrow, making big skips effortless. - Jump Backward (Long):
Alt + Left Arrow, ensuring no important scene gets missed.
Advanced Features: Pro-Level VLC Tricks
Obviously, VLC offers more than just video playback, so these features provide extra magic.
- Take a Snapshot:
Shift + S, capturing meme-worthy moments. - Record Video:
Shift + R, saving unforgettable clips. - Open Equalizer:
Ctrl + E, customizing sound to perfection. - Toggle Playlist:
Ctrl + L, because binge-watching should be effortless. - Cycle Aspect Ratio:
A, for fixing awkwardly stretched videos.
Custom Shortcuts: Make VLC Work for YOU
Clearly, everyone has their own preferences, so customizing shortcuts feels like the ultimate hack!
- Edit Hotkeys:
Tools > Preferences > Hotkeys, tailoring VLC controls easily. - Reset Hotkeys to Default:
Reset Preferences, fixing everything when confusion strikes.
Also Read: How to Change Brightness on Windows 11 Easily & Fast!
FAQs: VLC Media Player Keyboard Shortcuts
1. How do I reset VLC keyboard shortcuts?
Simply go to Tools > Preferences > Hotkeys, then click Reset Preferences, and everything returns to default instantly.
2. Can I add custom shortcuts in VLC?
Absolutely! Just open Tools > Preferences > Hotkeys, choose a function, and assign any key you want.
3. Why aren’t my VLC shortcuts working?
Most often, fullscreen mode causes issues, so try exiting fullscreen and testing again. However, conflicting OS shortcuts might also interfere, so check system settings too.
4. Is there a way to increase VLC volume beyond 125%?
Yes! Simply go to Tools > Preferences > Show Settings (All) > Audio > Max Volume, then adjust the value higher. But, beware, ear damage can happen if volume gets too high!
