How to Fix Windows Media Player Not Working Issues

Windows Media Player (WMP) is a built-in media player for Windows that lets users play audio and video and view images. It has been a default player for many years, offering a simple way to enjoy media files without extra software. However, like any program, it can sometimes run into problems. If your Windows Media Player is not working, you might experience playback errors, crashes, or issues opening files. This can be frustrating, specifically if you rely on WMP for music or videos. Fortunately, there are several ways to fix the Windows Media Player not working issue. In this guide, we will explore the common reasons why Windows Media Player may stop working and provide simple solutions to get it running again.

Why does Windows Media Player not play video?

Windows Media Player is a simple yet powerful media player that comes pre-installed on Windows. It permits users to play various audio and video formats easily. However, sometimes, it encounters issues that prevent it from playing videos properly. These Windows Media Player errors can be frustrating, especially when you're trying to watch an important video. If your media player is not responding or refuses to play videos, several factors could be causing the problem. Here are some common reasons:

Unsupported File Format: Windows Media Player may not support the file format you're trying to play. Some video file formats require additional codes to be installed for playback. For instance, MOV video formats from a camera or mobile phone can not play unless you have the proper codecs installed.
Outdated Media Player: An older version of your media player can not handle newer video formats or has compatibility issues. With the regular updates and changes in video technology, the player software must also be updated.
Corrupt Media Files: If the video or audio itself is corrupted or damaged, the media player won't be able to play it properly. You might see errors, crashes, or stuttering playback when this happens.
Conflicting Software: Other media players, codecs, or programs installed on your system could interfere with Windows Media Player, preventing it from functioning correctly.

How to Fix Windows Media Player Not Responding

1. Run Windows Media Player Troubleshooter

Effectiveness	Moderate – Fixes common playback and configuration issues.
System Impact	Low – No major changes to system files.
Complexity	Easy – Automated process with minimal user input.

If your media player is not working in Windows 10, running the built-in Windows Media Player troubleshooter can help pinpoint and fix common issues. Microsoft provides this tool to diagnose problems related to video files, playback errors, and other functionality issues within Windows Media Player. Sometimes, WMP won't play videos due to system conflicts, corrupted settings, or missing components. That said, instead of manually searching for the problem, the troubleshooter automatically scans for issues and suggests possible fixes. This is especially useful if you're experiencing frequent crashes, playback interruptions, or if the media player is not responding on your operating system. To run the troubleshooter:

To access the run box, press Windows + R. Afterward, in the run box input field, type "msdt.exe -id WindowsMediaPlayerConfigurationDiagnostic" and press your "Enter" key. This will launch the Troubleshooting Wizard of your Windows computer.
In the wizard window, click the "Next" button on the lower right part of the screen. Then, a new page will appear; from here, click the "Apply Fix" option; this will attempt to detect and resolve any problems with your media player.
Once the troubleshooter is complete, it will provide you with a report of the issues found along with fixes. After that, open the player and try opening or playing a media file to see if the Windows Media Player not working Windows 11 has been resolved.

Ensure your system is updated before running the Windows Media Player troubleshooter to avoid compatibility issues. Also, applying the fix will reset Windows Media Player settings to their default state, so make sure to back up any custom settings you may have configured. After troubleshooting, restart your PC to apply fixes and check if the problem persists.

2. Erase Windows Media Player Library

Effectiveness	Moderate – Resolves issues related to the corrupted media database.
System Impact	Low – Only removes the library, not actual files.
Complexity	Easy – Simple steps using built-in options.

If the above solution doesn't work, try manually resetting the Windows Media Player library. The Media Library contains information about your media files, including the name, cover art, and metadata. Over time, this database can become corrupted, leading to playback issues or crashes. This can also result in Windows Media Player having no sound or other media issues, limiting its functionality. In that line, refreshing or deleting the Windows Media Library can resolve the "Windows Media Player doesnt work" problem. Here are the steps to do:

To access the dialog box, press the Windows key + R. Then, in the text box that appears, type "services.msc" and click "OK." Once you have clicked the "OK" button, the "Services" window will appear on your screen.
Next, on the "Services" window, scroll down until you locate the "Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service." After that, right-click on the service and click the "All Task" menu. Hit the "Stop" option to disable the service.
When the service is disabled, you can delete the Windows Media Library files. To do this, open "File Explorer," and you can simply search for "Windows Media Player Library." Once you've found it, delete the folder and its contents. Finally, check the Windows Media Player and see if its now working without any issue.

Before deleting the Windows Media Library folder, back up any important media files, playlists, or settings you want to keep. This process will reset your library, so you must rebuild it by adding your files.

"The Windows Media Player library holds information about media files."

The media library database can become corrupt, leading to playback problems.

Microsoft Support

Delete or erase Windows Media Player Library

3. Re-register DLL Files

Effectiveness	High – Fixes missing or unregistered components affecting playback.
System Impact	Moderate – Modifies system files but is generally safe.
Complexity	Medium – Requires using Command Prompt with specific commands.

Another potential fix when Windows Media Player wont play video or has sound issues is to re-register the necessary DLL files. These Dynamic Link Library (DLL) files are essential for Windows Media Player's proper functioning, as they help process video and audio playback. If these files become unregistered or corrupted, your computer won't play videos correctly, leading to errors when trying to watch videos. By re-registering the DLL files, you can restore missing components and prevent Windows Media Player from encountering playback issues.

To begin, open the "Command Prompt" of your Windows computer. To do this, click on the search function of your computer and type "cmd." Once the "Command Prompt" appears, right-click on it and select the "Run as Administrator" option.
Once the "Administrator: Command Prompt" emerges on your screen, click on the C:Windowssystem32>. From here, type "regsvr32 vbscript.dll" and press the "Enter" key. After that, type "regsvr32 jscript.dll" and hit "Enter" again.
Lastly, input the "regsvr32 wmp.dll" and press "Enter" key. When you finalize all the DLL files, close or exit Command Prompt and restart your system to apply the changes. Afterward, try playing a media file to see if the Windows Media Player not working in Windows 10 is resolved.

You have to run the Command Prompt as an administrator to ensure you have the required permissions to re-register DLL files for Windows Media Player. Double-check the file names before executing commands to avoid registering incorrect or unnecessary DLLs.

4. Download Codecs

Effectiveness	High – Resolves issues with unsupported file formats.
System Impact	Low – Only affects media playback.
Complexity	Medium – Requires downloading and installing third-party codec packs.

Sometimes, WMP can not play certain media files and videos due to a lack of the necessary codec support. If you use the legacy version of Windows Media Player on Windows 10 or 11, you may have trouble playing certain media types like MKV, AVI, or MPEG4 files. Installing a third-party codec pack can enable support for these formats and help resolve playback issues. You can install the K-Lite Codec Pack since it provides a comprehensive set of codecs, allowing Windows computers to play the most common multimedia files. Moreover, since the legacy version of WMP uses DirectShow as its media playback, you can use these codec packs without any conflicts. You can download the video codecs by visiting the K-Lite Codec Pack website.

You can also use the Media Foundation codecs, which are part of the Windows 10 and 11 operating systems. These codecs provide native support for most common video formats and work seamlessly with the Windows Media Player.

5. Reinstall Windows Media Player

Effectiveness	Very High – Fixes most errors by resetting the player.
System Impact	Moderate – Removes settings and requires reconfiguration.
Complexity	Medium to High – Involves multiple steps, including enabling/disabling features.

If the previous steps don't fix the problem, the final solution is completely reinstalling Windows Media Player. This process removes any damaged or incompatible files that might cause Windows Media Player to not work on Windows 10 or 11, including those leading to a codec issue or sound issue. In addition, reinstalling restores the default settings and gives your media player a fresh start. This can help fix playback errors, missing features, or other problems that prevent videos from playing properly. Follow these actions to reinstall Windows Media Player:

Open the Windows Control Panel by exploring it in the Start menu search bar. Then, navigate to the "Programs" section and click it. Here, click the link for "Turn Windows features on or off" under "Programs and Features." In the Windows Features list, navigate to "Media Features."
Once you have located it, expand it by clicking the "+" sign beside it. The "Windows Media Player" option should now be visible. To uninstall the WMP on your computer, uncheck the box next to "Windows Media Player." Subsequently, a prompt will be displayed on your screen asking if you are sure you want to remove the Windows Media Player. Hit the "Yes" button to completely uninstall the WMP.
After that, restart your Windows computer and go to the same location again, but this time, check the "Windows Media Player" box to reinstall it. Then, you have to restart your system again to install WMP automatically.

Ensure you have an active and stable internet connection during reinstallation to allow Windows to fetch the necessary files to reinstall the media player properly.

Extra Tip: Using an Alternative Media Player

Effectiveness	Very High – Instantly solves playback issues by supporting multiple formats.
System Impact	Low – No changes to system settings, only adds a new media player.
Complexity	Very Easy – Quick installation with a user-friendly interface.

If you don’t want to go through the hassle of troubleshooting Windows Media Player, switching to an alternative media player can be a great solution. AceThinker Player is a reliable choice that supports different video file formats, including AVI format, Blu-ray, DVD, and more. With its user-friendly interface, you can easily play all the videos you need without worrying about missing codecs or compatibility issues. It also offers high-quality video playback, ensuring a smooth and immersive viewing experience. Additionally, if you need to play WMV on Mac, AceThinker Player provides seamless support, making it a versatile option for any device. Here is how to play videos with AceThinker Player:

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Free Download

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Step 1: Install AceThinker Player

First, click the download button above to start downloading the AceThinker Player installer. Once the download is concluded, find the setup file and double-click it to commence the installation process. Then, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process smoothly.

Step 2: Upload the Media File

Once the AceThinker Player is installed, you can familiarize yourself with the simple and intuitive interface. To open a video file, click the "Open File" button on the tool's interface. Then, a file explorer window will appear, permitting you to navigate to the location of your video file and select it. Hit the "Open" button to import the video file into the player.

Step 3: Watch and Enjoy your Video

After importing the video, the player will automatically start playing it. You can freely pause or restart playback at any time based on your preference. Additionally, you can adjust the volume or switch to full-screen mode for a superior viewing experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Windows Media Player not working?

Windows Media Player may not work due to missing necessary codecs, preventing it from playing certain file types. A working error can also occur if you are not using the latest version of WMP or if there are issues with your sound card. Additionally, incorrect WMP settings might cause playback problems, so checking and resetting them can help resolve the issue.

Is there other media player software I can use?

Yes, many alternative media player options are available beyond Windows Media Player. You can use the AceThinker Player mentioned above or VLC Media Player as an alternative. With these players, you can play all multimedia files streamlined, especially those file type with which WMP has issues.

How do I restore Windows Media Player?

To restore Windows Media Player, press the R keys (Windows + R), open the Control Panel, and click Programs to access Windows features. In the left panel, turn off Windows Media Player, restart your computer, and then turn it back on. If the issue persists, reinstall Windows Media Player to reset its settings fully.

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