How to Loop a Video Section in VLC?

Learning how to loop a specific A-B section of a video in VLC Media Player allows you to repeat a precise segment of a clip continuously without manual intervention. This built-in feature, known as the A-B Loop tool, is highly useful for analyzing tutorials, studying specific video frames, transcribing audio, or practicing choreography. By enabling the Advanced Controls panel, you can easily set a start point (A) and an end point (B) to create a seamless, hands-free loop of any duration.

Step 1: Enable Advanced Controls

Before you can repeat a specific part of a video, you need to reveal VLC’s hidden editing and playback tools.

• Open VLC Media Player and play your desired video.
• Click on the View menu in the top menu bar.
• Select Advanced Controls from the drop-down menu.

A new row of four buttons will instantly appear directly above the standard play and pause controls at the bottom of the interface.

Step 2: Set the Start Point (Point A)

The A-B Loop button is represented by an icon featuring the letters “A” and “B” with a looping arrow above them.

• Cue your video to the exact moment where you want the repeat sequence to begin.
• Pause the video or let it play, then click the A-B Loop button once.
• The letter “A” on the icon will turn orange, indicating that your start frame is successfully locked in.

Step 3: Set the End Point (Point B)

Now, you need to tell VLC where the looped section should stop and restart.

• Allow the video to play forward (or manually skip ahead) to the exact moment you want the loop to end.
• Click the A-B Loop button a second time.
• The entire icon will turn orange, and the video will instantly jump back to Point A.

The selected segment will now play on an infinite loop.

How to Clear or Edit the Loop

If you want to return to normal playback or change the looped sequence, managing the points is straightforward.

• To cancel the loop: Click the A-B Loop button a third time. The icon will return to its original gray color, and the video will continue playing past the original exit point.
• To adjust the loop: You cannot edit the points dynamically. You must click the button to clear the current loop, and then repeat the steps above to set your new start and end frames.