Can't play DVDs through either VLC, Videos, or Kaffeine

Running this through an external DVD drive. Videos app says DVD source is required to play the file, but is not installed. Hitting play in VLC activates the disc (you can hear it start up in the drive) but nothing happens. I've installed Ubuntu Restricted Extras and libdvdread4 and libdvdcss.

I know varieties of this question have been asked before, but none of the answers I've tracked down are solving the issue.


When it comes to playing DVDs in Ubuntu, the libdvd applications needed to play DVDs are not installed by default. To install them run the following:

From a terminal window:

First, enable the Universe/Multiverse repositories:

sudo add-apt-repository universe
sudo add-apt-repository multiverse
sudo apt update

Then install the missing applications:

sudo apt install libdvdcss2 libdvdread4 libdvdnav4 ubuntu-restricted-extras

You may have to install the libdvd-pkg instead:

sudo apt install libdvd-pkg

Hope this helps!