How to Rotate Videos in Windows Media Player

Fix the video orientation in Windows Media Player

by Scott Orgera
Scott Orgera is a former writer who covering tech since 2007. He has 25+ years experience as a programmer and QA leader, and holds several Microsoft certifications.
Updated November 11, 2019

Sometimes when you play back videos taken with your phone on your PC, they appear in the wrong orientation in Windows Media Player. While the program offers no built-in way to rotate videos, there is a third-party tool called VLC that lets you change the video orientation in Windows Media Player.

While VLC is available on multiple platforms (Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, and Windows Phone), these instructions are specifically for Windows PCs.

How to Rotate a Video With VLC

VLC media player is a frequently updated program maintained by an active open source developer community. Download and install VLC for Windows from the VideoLAN website.

To rotate videos using VLC:

  1. Open the VLC application, then select Media > Open File and choose the video you want to rotate.

    Open the VLC application, then select Media > Open File and choose the video you want to rotate.

  2. Select Tools > Effects and Filters.

    Alternatively, use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + E to open the Effects and Filters windows.

    Select Tools > Effects and Filters in VLC.

  3. In the Adjustments and Effects windows, select the Video Effects tab, then select the Geometry tab.

    In the Adjustments and Effects windows, select the Video Effects tab, then select the Geometry tab.

  4. Select the Transform check box, then select the drop-down menu underneath and choose the option you want. The video rotates automatically as you make a selection.

    Select the Transform check box, then select the drop-down menu underneath and choose the option you want.

  5. When you're satisfied with the rotation, select Save, then select Close to return to the main VLC interface.

    Select Save, then select Close to return to the main VLC interface.

How to Save Your Rotated Video in VLC

To save the rotated video in the appropriate format:

  1. Select Tools > Preferences.

    Alternatively, use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + P to open the Preferences window.

    Select Tools > Preferences in VLC.

  2. Select All in the bottom-left corner of the Preferences window.

    Select All in the bottom-left corner of the Preferences window.

  3. Scroll down the left menu pane to find the Stream output section, then expand the Sout stream tab and select Transcode.

    Scroll down the left menu pane to go to the Stream output section, then expand the Sout stream tab and select Transcode.

  4. On the right side of the window, select the Rotate video filter check box, then select Save.

    On the right side of the window, select the Rotate video filter check box, then select Save.

  5. Select Media > Convert/Save.

    Alternatively, use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + R to open the Convert/Save window.

    Select Media > Convert/Save.

  6. Select Add in the Open Media window, then choose the file that you just rotated and select Convert/Save.

    Select Add in the Open Media window, then choose the file that you just rotated and select Convert/Save.

  7. Select Browse under the Destination section in the Convert window, then choose an existing file to overwrite, or enter a new file name.

    Select Browse under the Destination section in the Convert window, then choose an existing file to overwrite, or enter a new file name.

  8. Select Start to begin the conversion process and save the video file.

    Select Start to begin the conversion process and save the video file.

Using an Online Video Rotator

If you'd rather not download and install an application to rotate videos, there are several online ad-supported options available including:

There are limitations with most of these cloud-based solutions, however, including the inability to rotate lengthy videos.