How to Install Multi-media Codecs & MS Fonts in Ubuntu 22.04 [Updated]

Due to legal reasons, Ubuntu does not include multi-media codecs out-of-the-box. The default Totem video player and Rhythmbox music player won’t play until you installing the codecs.

However, the codecs are included in the Ubuntu universe repositories. Besides using third-party players (e.g., VLC, MPV, etc.), you can run single command to install the media codecs. And this tutorial will work on all current Ubuntu releases, including Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 20.04, and Ubuntu 22.04

1. Open terminal from system application launcher.

   

2. When terminal opens, drag and drop (or copy and paste) the command below in terminal and hit run:

   sudo apt install ubuntu-restricted-extras

   The command will install the “ubuntu-restricted-extras” package, as well as commonly media codecs and fonts libraries. So the built-in video player, chromium browser, and audio player will work smoothly.

   

   First run of Ubuntu desktop? you may run command sudo apt update to refresh package cache first.

   For KUbuntu users, the command should be:

   sudo apt install kubuntu-restricted-extras

   And for LUbuntu, run this command instead:

   sudo apt install lubuntu-restricted-extras

   The command will also install the Microsoft TrueType core fonts. And while the installing process you have to accept the license (press Tab key to highlight) before downloading the sources.