Windows giving you a black screen or "Can't open this file" error when trying to view AVIF images? The fastest fix is converting them to JPG. Takes 2 seconds, free, no installation required.
Method 1: Convert AVIF to JPG Online (Recommended)
This is honestly the easiest way. You don't install anything, you don't mess with Windows settings, and it works every single time.
Why this works better:
- No installation needed
- Free forever
- Works instantly
- Processes files locally in your browser (secure)
Step-by-step:
- Go to AvifKit AVIF to JPG Converter
- Drag your AVIF file into the browser window
- Wait 1-2 seconds for conversion
- Download the JPG file
- Open it normally in Windows Photos or any app
That's it. The converted JPG file will open in any Windows app - Photos, Paint, Photoshop, you name it.
Pro tip for batch conversion:
You can drag multiple AVIF files at once. AvifKit will convert all of them and package the results in a zip file for easy download.
Method 2: Install the AV1 Video Extension (The Hard Way)
Microsoft does offer an official codec extension, but here's the catch: sometimes it costs $0.99, sometimes it's free, and sometimes it just doesn't work properly (black screen bug).
If you still want to try it:
- Open the Microsoft Store app on Windows
- Search for "AV1 Video Extension"
- Click "Get" or "Buy" (price varies)
- Wait for installation
- Restart Windows (yes, really)
- Try opening the AVIF file again
Known issues with this method:
- Sometimes crashes with error code 0xc00d36b4
- Black screen on certain AVIF variants
- Doesn't work with 10-bit color depth AVIFs
- May cost money depending on your Windows version
This is why most people just convert to JPG instead. It's more reliable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't Windows open AVIF files by default?
AVIF is a relatively new image format (released in 2019). Windows 10 and 11 don't have native support built-in yet. Microsoft added partial support via an optional extension, but it's buggy and incomplete.
Is AVIF better than JPG?
Technically, yes. AVIF offers about 50% better compression at the same quality level. But compatibility is still terrible. If you need to share images or open them on multiple devices, JPG is safer.
Will converting AVIF to JPG lose quality?
Slightly, yes. But unless you're doing professional photo editing, you won't notice the difference. For everyday use (viewing photos, sharing on social media), JPG is perfectly fine.
Can I convert AVIF to PNG instead?
Yes, especially if your AVIF file has transparency. JPG doesn't support transparency, but PNG does. Use the AVIF to PNG converter if you need to preserve transparent backgrounds.
Bottom Line
Converting to JPG online is the safest and fastest method. No installation headaches, no compatibility issues, no random crashes. Just drag, convert, done.
Ready to convert your AVIF files?
Free online converter. Works in your browser. No upload to servers.
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