mpv.exe

mpv Media Player

Application ProcessSafeMedia Player

CPU Usage

1-15%

Memory

50-300 MB

Location

C:\\Program Files\\mpv

Publisher

mpv Project

Quick Answer

mpv.exe is safe. It is the Windows executable for the mpv open‑source media player. It uses a lightweight architecture and supports multiple video formats via libraries like FFmpeg.

Is it a Virus?

✔ NO - Safe

Must be in C:\\Program Files\\mpv\\mpv.exe or C:\\Program Files (x86)\\mpv\\mpv.exe

Warning

Many processes normal

mpv may run a separate instance for each playback stream or GUI frontend

Can I Disable?

✔ YES

Close playback or uninstall mpv if you no longer need it

What is mpv.exe?

mpv.exe is the Windows executable for the mpv open‑source media player. mpv provides command‑line and GUI frontends, supports a wide range of formats, and leverages FFmpeg and libav libraries for decoding and rendering across Windows.

mpv uses a lightweight, libav‑based pipeline with hardware acceleration support (Vulkan/Direct3D) and optional IPC. It prioritizes performance and broad format support, delivering decoding through FFmpeg backends and rendering via a chosen graphics backend.

Quick Fact: mpv started as a fork of mplayer2 and emphasizes scripting and high‑quality playback with minimal UI.

Types of mpv Processes

Main mpv Process: Executes playback control and GUI frontend (if used)
Decoder/Worker Process: Handles decoding through FFmpeg libraries
IPC/Script Interface: Allows external control via IPC sockets or JSON‑RPC
Audio/Video Output: Renders audio and video streams to device backends
Helper Utilities: Auxiliary processes for subtitles, fonts, or caching

Is mpv.exe Safe?

Yes, mpv.exe is safe when obtained from official sources (mpv.io or trusted package distributors) and located in the proper installation folder.

Is mpv.exe a Virus or Malware?

The legitimate mpv.exe is not a virus. Malware sometimes uses similar names; always verify location and signature.

How to Tell if mpv.exe is Legitimate or Malware

File Location: Must be in C:\Program Files\mpv\mpv.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\mpv\mpv.exe. Any mpv.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
Digital Signature: Right-click mpv.exe in Explorer → Properties → Digital Signatures. Should show signer like "mpv Project" or the official distributor.
Resource Usage: Normal usage is 1-15% CPU per playback, 50-300 MB memory. Abnormally high usage or perpetual background activity is suspicious.
Behavior: mpv should not spawn multiple unrelated processes. If you see unexpected background network activity, scan for malware.

Red Flags: If mpv.exe is located in Temp, AppData, or System32, lacks a valid signature, or shows unusual behavior, scan with antivirus. Beware of similarly-named files like "mpv_.exe" from untrusted sources.

Why Is mpv.exe Running on My PC?

mpv.exe runs when you play media with mpv or when a frontend or script triggers playback, including background tasks that monitor playlists or subtitles.

Reasons it's running:

Active Media Playback: You are actively playing a video or audio file; mpv runs to decode and output streams.
Command-Line or Script Control: External controllers or scripts send commands via IPC to mpv, keeping it active during sessions.
File Association or Default Player: Windows tries to open media files with mpv by default, launching mpv.exe on file launch.
Background Daemon/IPC: Some setups run mpv as a background helper or IPC listener for hotkeys or remote control.
Software with Integrated Playback: Video editors or media managers embed mpv for playback within their UI, causing mpv.exe to run.

Can I Disable or Remove mpv.exe?

Yes, you can disable mpv.exe. If you don't need mpv, you can close playback, disable startup entries, or uninstall the mpv package.

How to Stop mpv.exe

Close Playback: Close the media or GUI frontend to stop mpv.
Terminate Process: Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), find mpv.exe, right-click → end Task
Prevent Startup: If mpv runs at startup, remove its startup entry in Task Manager → Startup tab or disable the service.
Uninstall mpv: Use Apps & Features to uninstall mpv from Windows.
Check GUI Frontends: If you use a frontend, disable or uninstall it or configure to not launch mpv automatically.

How to Uninstall mpv

✔ Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → mpv → Uninstall
✔ Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program → mpv → Uninstall
✔ Remove leftover config in %APPDATA% and %USERPROFILE% to complete cleanup

Common Problems: Playback or Performance

If mpv.exe has issues, try these practical steps to stabilize playback and reduce resource use.

Common Causes & Solutions

Missing codecs or libraries: Install a full build of mpv with FFmpeg; ensure libavformat and libavcodec are present.
High CPU during decoding: Enable hardware acceleration: --gpu-api=vulkan or --hwdec=auto, and ensure GPU drivers are up to date.
Stuttering or frame drops: Increase buffer size or adjust --demuxer-thread=1; verify file integrity.
Audio desync: Check audio device and delay compensation; try --audio-resample=yes or --video-sync=display-resample
Crashes on startup: Update mpv to latest version; reinstall if needed; check config files for syntax errors.
Unsupported file formats: Install FFmpeg full build or use a compatible frontend that enables proper demuxing.

Quick Fixes:
1. Update mpv to the latest release
2. Reinstall codecs libraries (FFmpeg) via your package
3. Reset mpv configuration by renaming the config file
4. Test playback with a different file
5. Run mpv with verbose logging to diagnose issues

Frequently Asked Questions

Is mpv.exe safe to run on Windows?

Yes, mpv.exe is safe when downloaded from official sources (mpv.io or trusted package managers) and located under the proper installation folder.

Why does mpv.exe use CPU even when idle?

Background playback services or scripts can keep mpv alive. Check for frontend integrations, IPC watchers, or automatic playback triggers.

How do I uninstall mpv from Windows?

Use Apps & Features or Add/Remove Programs to uninstall mpv, then remove user config directories like %APPDATA%\mpv.

Can I disable mpv from starting automatically?

Yes. Remove startup entries in Task Manager under Startup, or disable any service or frontend that auto-launches mpv.

Does mpv come with a GUI by default?

mpv is primarily a command-line player, but several GUI frontends exist (SMPlayer, MPV.NET, etc.) that install alongside mpv.

How can I verify mpv.exe authenticity?

Check the install path (C:\Program Files\mpv\mpv.exe), verify the digital signature, and ensure a valid hash/signature from official sources.