When it comes to ripping DVD, HandBrake is always the first to recommend. However, various problems may occur when we use HandBrake to rip DVDs. One of the common issues is "No Valid Source or Titles Found" and the error pops up after you attempt to open the source of DVD.

"I installed Handbrake on my old pc about 6-8 months ago and ripped dozens of DVDs without an issue. I recently bought a new pc, re-installed Handbrake but now it no longer rips them. I now get an error saying "No Valid Source or Titles Found". I got around this by opening the file in VLC in the backvground however the next issue is the DVD protection isn't removed even after placing the txt file " libdvdcss-.dll " into the folder.

Why does this happen? According to Handbrake, the HandBrake no valid source found error message pops up because of "too short titles", "invalid source file", "wrong file format" and "copy-protected contents". In reality, there are also many other possible reasons causing HandBrake no valid source found error. But the main one is Handbrake does not support the removal of copy protections which will be used by all commercial DVDs on the market. Fortunately, there are possible solutions to help you solve HandBrake "No valid source or titles found" error. Keep reading to learn the possible reasons and corresponding troubleshootings.

1. Download and Install libdvdcss for Handbrake

DVDs are always encrypted with CSS (Content Scrambling System) or copy protections like Sony ARccOS, UOPs, RCE, Disney X-project, etc. Handbrake doesn't support decrypting DVDs and can't rip copy-protected DVDs on its own. Users need to install the libdvdcss for Handbrake or a DVD ripper like AnyDVD to remove the copy protections from DVD first. So if you use Handbrake to rip a protected DVD, please make sure you've installed libdvdcss as well.

Libdvdcss is part of the VideoLAN project. The latest version of libdvdcss is 1.4.3, and users can download and install libdvdcss from VideoLAN official site: http://www.videolan.org/developers/libdvdcss.html

How to install libdvdcss correctly on Windows?

Below are the steps on how to download and install libdvdcss/libdvdcss2.dll on Windows (11/10/8/7).

① libdvdcss-2.dll download on Windows (11/10)

libdvdcss.dll for Windows 32 bit | libdvdcss.dll for Windows 64 bit

② You don't have to rename libdvdcss-2.dll as libdvdcss.dll. Just cut and paste the downloaded libdvdcss 2 file into your HandBrake program folder. If you didn't manually set the installation path before, it normally is "C:\Program Files\HandBrake".

③ And that's all for installing HandBrake libdvdcss on Windows (10/11).

How to install libdvdcss on Mac?

On Mac OS X Yosemite or older, you can download the libdvdcss package file and double click it to install. But if you use Mac OS X El Capitan or later, you need to install libdvdcss via Homebrew.

⑴ Open Terminal window and enter command line ruby -e "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/master/install)" to install Homebrew. Then, you are required to enter Admin password to install Homebrew.
⑵ After you finish Homebrew installation, run the command brew install libdvdcss in Terminal window. Moments later, the libdvdcss will be installed on El Capitan or later.

Note: Using the Apple's Hardened Runtime, HandBrake 1.3 and higher versions can load only dynamic libraries that are signed with a valid Apple Developer ID certificate. However, HomeBrew libdvdcss is not signed. So, you'll get a scrambled DVD rip file when you use HandBrake 1.3 and later to rip a DVD on Mac. In this case, you can either install an older version or install a HandBrake alternative to rip your DVDs.

With libdvdcss installed, HandBrake now can rip DVD with copy protection.

2. Get a More Powerful Alternative to Handbrake

Even with libdvdcss being installed, HandBrake may also fail to rip some strictly encrypted DVDs. If you're sure that the HandBrake "No valid source found" error occurs due to copy protections, you're recommended to get a more powerful alternative - EaseFab DVD Ripper. It fully supports normal DVDs and any protected DVDs including CSS, Sony ArccOS DVDs, UOPs, APS, RCE, Disney X-project DRM and all region 1-6 DVDs on it own. including CSS, Sony ArccOS DVDs, UOPs, APS, RCE, Disney X-project DRM and all region 1-6 DVDs on its own (which means no need to download libdvdcss and the like to decrypt DVD). Below are the specific features that add a ton of value:

● Support any DVD: decrypt and rip all types of copy-protected DVDs (incl. Disney 99-title discs), TV show DVDs, workout DVDs, old/damaged DVDs, special Japanese DVDs, etc.
● 400+ ready profiles: convert DVD to MP4, HEVC, AVI, WMV, FLV, MOV, M2TS, AVCHD, ISO file, iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Android, Xbox, web, etc.
● Ultra-fast encoding speed: boast the latest advanced GPU acceleration technologies including Multi-core CPU, NVIDIA CUDA, AMD, IQS (Intel Quick Sync), which can largely accelerate DVD ripping and encoding process up to 30x faster speed while keeping a low CPU usage.
● Edit features: crop, trim, merge, subtitle, and more.
● Advanced settings: adjust resolution, bitrate, codec, etc to produce optimal file size.

How to rip copy-protected DVDs without Handbrake no valid source errors?

Step 1. Download EaseFab DVD Ripper on your computer, install and launch this program. Insert your DVD disc into the DVD-ROM.

Step 2. Click the "Load DVD" button to load the DVD video. This Handbrake alternative DVD ripper will automatically remove the copy protections and find the correct DVD title. You don't need to worry about any problems such as the Handbrake No valid source/title found errors.

Step 3. On the "Profile" panel, there are over 400 profiles including popular formats and device-specific presets. You can choose to rip DVD to any format for like.

Step 4. Click the "Folder" icon to choose a folder to save your file, and then hit "Convert" button to start ripping your copy-protected DVD.

3. Upgrade Handbrake to the Latest Version

When your Handbrake is out of date, it may fail to read the source media and result in the "No valid source or titles found" errors. If your HandBrake is totally out of date, please download the latest version to fix bugs causing the HandBrake not working errors. Simply go to HandBrake.fr download center - the only official place to download the latest version. The latest version by now is Handbrake 1.6.1. To use it, you need to install Microsoft .NET Desktop Runtime 6.

4. Change Permissions for the Video

If you're on a Mac and Handbrake is saying "No valid source or titles found", also consider if the source disc or video is allowed by your Mac. If not, Handbrake can't access the content of the DVD and an error will occur.

If you just happened to turn off the permissions, try "get info" -> Add yourself under "sharing & permissions". This may help HandBrake read the source.

5. Check the VLC Version

If you've installed VLC on your computer, you can use Handbrake to rip DVDs with CSS and region codes. However, if VLC fails to cooperate with Handbrake to read the DRM content, it will result in the Handbrake "No valid source or titles found" errors. Please be aware that VLC 2.0 changes the code libraries it uses for decrypting DVDs, which may also lead you can't rip DVDs with Handbrake or encounter other problems.

The solution is simple. Download and install the latest version of VLC and libdvdcss package, and this may help you solve the Handbrake no valid source or titles found issue. You should note to get the correct VLC version for Handbrake, such as a 64-bit VLC for 64-bit Handbrake.

6. Adjust the Minimum Title Duration

Handbrake has indicated that if the source title has a video length shorter than the "Minimum Title Duration", it will regard the source video as valid and give you the "No valid source or titles found" error. You will then need to increase the Minimum title duration to prevent Handbrake from ignoring shorter titles like special feature titles and such.

Step 1: Open Handbrake and click Tools on the top menu bar. From the dropdown list, choose Preferences.

Step 2: Under the Advanced tab, find the "Minimum DVD and Blu-ray title duration in seconds. Shorter titles will be skipped:" option.

Step 3: Set the number to be shorter than your smallest clip.

Summary:

In most cases, the error message shows "No valid source or titles found" because Handbrake fails to select the correct title due to copy protections. Installing libdvdcss can help fix part of the problems. There are some other settings errors that may also cause the issue. If you don't want to bother with the troubleshooting, a professional DVD ripper is your best option.