Windows Media Player Cannot Play the File: 9 Fixes

One of these is sure to do the trick

Microsoft has not updated Windows Media Player in ages, butit’s still around in Windows 10and is just as fast, fluid, and snappy as ever. It isn’t without issues, though. Sometimes, you may end up with a “Windows Media Player cannot play the file” error message while attempting to play an audio or video file.

Typically, that happens when Windows Media Player lacks thecodecs required to decode specific media file types. Several other reasons, such as outdated codecs and obsolete hardware drivers, can also cause problems. The troubleshooting tips that follow should help you fix the “Windows Media Player cannot play the file” error.

1. Download Codecs Automatically

Windows Media Player supports a wide range of audio and video formats, but you’ll eventually run into a file type that isn’t supported. You can fix that by configuring the program to download the relevant codecs automatically.

  1. Open theToolsmenu in Windows Media Player—pressCtrl+Mif you can’t see the menu bar. Then, selectOptions.

  2. On the Options dialog box, select thePlayertab and check the box next toDownload Codecs Automatically.

Note:If you can’t findDownload Codecs Automaticallyunder the Player tab, skip ahead to the next fix.

  1. SelectApplyandOKto save your changes.

Try playing the media file that caused the “Windows Media Player cannot play the file” error.

2. Install Codecs Separately

If enablingDownload Codecs Automaticallydid not help (or if you couldn’t find it listed within the Windows Media Player Options), then you must install the required media codecs manually.

The best way to go about doing that is to install the K-Lite Codec Pack. It’s completely free and adds codecs for most audio and video formats. It will also update any outdated media decoders on your computer.

  1. Download theK-Lite Codec Pack. There are four versions—Basic, Standard, Full, and Mega. The Basic or the Standard version should be good enough.

  2. Run the K-Lite Codec Pack installer.

  3. Keep the default selections while moving through the K-Lite Codec setup. When you come across the Installation Preferences screen, however, setWindows Media Playeras thePreferred video playerandPreferred audio player.

Once you’re done installing the K-Lite Codec Pack, reboot your computer and try playing the file. It should most likely open without the “Windows Media Player cannot play the file” error message.

If you have issues installing the K-Lite Codec Pack, try out theCombined Community Codec Packor theMedia Player Codec Packinstead.

3. Set Correct Audio Device

Sometimes, you will see the “Windows Media Player cannot play the file” error if Windows Media Player uses the wrong audio output device. You can rule that out by heading into the WMP Options.

  1. Open theToolsmenu in Windows Media Player. Then, selectOptions.

  2. Switch to theDevicestab.

  3. Under the Devices section, chooseSpeakersand select thePropertiesbutton.

  4. Pick the same playback device as the one that you see when you select theSpeakericon on the system tray.

  5. SelectApplyandOKto save your changes.

Try playing an audio or video file and see if that helped.

4. Update Audio and Video Drivers

Outdated audio and video drivers can create all sorts of issues while playing music and video files in Windows Media Player and other multimedia players in general. If you continue to get a “Windows Media Player cannot play the file” error, try updating them.

  1. Right-click theStartmenu and selectDevice Manager.

  2. Expand theSound, video and game controllerssection.

  3. Right-click the audio device and selectUpdate driver.

  4. Select theSearch automatically for driversoption to download and install the latest audio drivers.

  5. Update any other audio devices within the expanded section.

  6. Expand theDisplay Adapterssection within the Device Manager.

  7. Right-click the video device and selectUpdate driver.

  8. Select theSearch automatically for driversoption to download and install the latest video drivers.

  9. Repeat for any other video devices under Display Adapters.

Tip:If the Device Manager fails to update your audio or video drivers, use a driver updater tool for the job instead.

5. Update Windows 10

The latest Windows updates not only come with feature enhancements, but they also help fix software-related issues that prevent your computer from functioning properly. If you haven’t updated Windows 10 in a while, try doing that now.

  1. Open theStartmenu and selectSettings.

  2. SelectUpdate & Securityand switch to theWindows Updatetab.

  3. SelectCheck for updates.

If you see any updates, selectDownload and installorInstall now. Additionally, selectView optional updates(if you see the option) and apply available any listed audio and video device updates.

6. Disable/Enable WMP

Still having issues with the “Windows Media Player cannot play the file” error? Try reinstalling Windows Media Player. Since the program is a built-in Windows 10 component, you must use the Windows Features panel to remove and add it back.

  1. Open theStartmenu, typeturn windows features on or off, and selectOpen.

  2. Scroll down and expandMedia Features.

  3. Uncheck the box next toWindows Media Playerand selectOKto remove the Windows Media Player.

  4. Restart your computer.

  5. Re-open theWindows Featuresbox, check the box next toWindows Media Player, and selectOKto reinstall the Windows Media Player.

7. Check Windows Registry

The Windows Registry contains a set of specific entries that the Windows Media Player often relies on to play audio and video files. Check if the values within those entries are correct. We recommend that youmake a backup of the Windows Registrybefore going ahead.

  1. PressWindows+Rto open theRunbox. Then, typeregeditand selectOK.

  2. Copy and paste the following path into the address bar to the top of the Registry Editor window:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{da4e3da0-d07d-11d0-bd50-00a0c911ce86}Instance{083863F1-70DE-11d0-BD40-00A0C911CE86}

  1. PressEnter.

  2. Make sure that the{083863F1-70DE-11d0-BD40-00A0C911CE86}folder is selected on the left-side navigation pane.

  3. Confirm that the following registry entries contain the values listed below:

If you see a different value in a registry entry, you must modify it. To do that, right-click the entry, selectModify, change the values to the ones shown above, and selectOK.

8. Use a Different Media Player

The audio or video format that you’re attempting to play may be totally incompatible with Windows Media Player. Try using an alternative multimedia player for file types that cause the “Windows Media Player cannot play the file” error to show up. Options include the built-in Movies & TV app in Windows 10, Media Player Classic (which comes with the K-Lite Codec Pack), and theVLC media player.

9. Reset Windows 10

Do you keep getting the “Windows Media Player cannot play the file” error almost all the time? You can tryresetting Windows 10 to its factory defaults. That may end up fixing any corrupt settings or other underlying issues preventing Windows Media Player from functioning properly.

To initiate an operating system reset, head over toStart>Settings>Update & Recovery>Recovery. You can choose to keep your data intact during the reset procedure, but make sure tocreate a backup of your databeforehand.

Dilum Senevirathne is a freelance tech writer and blogger with three years of experience writing for online technology publications. He specializes in topics related to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and Google web apps. When he isn’t hammering away at his Magic Keyboard, you can catch him binge-watching productivity hacks on YouTube.Read Dilum’s Full Bio

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