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Troubleshoot Windows Media Player (WMP) Problems

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Troubleshooting DVD playback in Windows Media Player for Windows XP

Windows Media Player support for DVD playback is dependent upon the presence of a supported decoder, either hardware or software, and a supported DVD drive. When these are present, Windows Media Player provides DVD features and configuration options in the user interface.

The playback for DVD, which is provided by DirectShow, uses advanced features of your video hardware, such as the Video Mixing Renderer (VMR).
  
"Windows Media Player Is Currently Unable to Play DVD Video" Error Message When You Try to Play a DVD in Windows Media Player

When you try to use Microsoft Windows Media Player to play a DVD after you upgrade to Windows XP, you may receive the following error message:

Windows Media Player is currently unable to play DVD video.
Error ID = 0xC00D116A, Remedy ID = 0x00000000
  
You receive an "Error number 0x80004005" error message when you try to copy an audio CD or add a playlist to Windows Media Player

In Microsoft Windows Media Player 7 and Microsoft Windows Media Player 8, you receive the following error message:

You have encountered an error, Error number 0x80004005 sorry no more help is available. Unspecifed Error

You receive this error when you perform one of the following procedures:
  • You try to add a playlist to Media Player.
  • You try to copy an audio CD by clicking Copy Music.
  • You try to copy an audio CD by clicking Copy from CD.
Error message when you use Windows Media Player 10 to play media files from the Internet in Windows XP: "Windows Media Player cannot play the file"

When you use Windows Media Player 10 to play media files from the Internet on a Microsoft Windows XP-based computer, you receive the following error message:

Windows Media Player cannot play the file. If the file is located on the Internet, connect to the Internet. If the file is located a removable storage card, insert the storage card.
  
"Windows Media Player Has Encountered a Problem" Error Message When You Try to Start Windows Media Player

When you try to start Microsoft Windows Media Player, you may receive the following error message:

Windows Media Player has encountered a problem and needs to shut down - "error signature app name wmplayer.exe app ver 8.0.0.4477 mod name msvcrt.dll mode version 7.0.2600.0 offset 00034748"
  
Inconsistent Digital Audio Setting Between Windows Media Player and Device Manager

By default, Windows Media Player in Windows XP sets the CD audio properties for digital playback. In Device Manager, the setting for the CD-ROM may indicate that digital playback is not enabled, and this may occur even though you previously enabled digital playback in Windows Media Player.
  
A chapter does not play when you click it in some WMV HD DVD disks in Windows Media Player

On a computer that is running Microsoft Windows XP with Service Pack 2 (SP2), or on a computer that has security update 834707 (MS04-038) installed, when you click to play a chapter in some Windows Media High Definition Video (WMV HD) DVD disks in Microsoft Windows Media Player, the chapter does not play.
  
Microsoft Windows Media Player File Association Behaviour Changes After You Install Windows XP SP1

Microsoft Windows Media Player file association behavior changes after you install Windows XP Service Pack 1 (SP1). After you install SP1, Windows Media Player associates itself with file types only in cases where an upgrade from certain Windows-based programs occurs.
Certain kinds of video content do not play after you apply a windowless skin such as the Revert skin to Windows Media Player

You apply a windowless skin such as the Revert skin to Microsoft Windows Media Player 11, to Windows Media Player 10, or to Windows Media Player 9. However, after you apply the skin, certain kinds of video content do not play.
  
Windows Media Player Help Topic Links Do Not Work

When you try to view a Help topic about Microsoft Windows Media Player in the Help and Support Center, you may receive an error message, and you cannot go to the topic. For example, if you click any of the links in the "Windows Media Player Overview" topic, all the links except "Using Windows Media Player" do not work.
  
How to copy music to and from an audio CD in Windows XP

This article describes how to copy music from an audio CD to the computer's local hard disk by using Windows Media Player (WMP). You can then copy the data back to an audio CD if you want to.
  
Windows Media Player cannot play media files after you uninstall Windows Server 2003 SP2 or Windows XP 64-Bit Edition SP2

After you uninstall Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 (SP2) or Microsoft Windows XP 64-Bit Edition Service Pack 2 (SP2), Microsoft Windows Media Player cannot play media files that are licensed by using Digital Rights Management (DRM) technology. Existing licenses do not work correctly, and you cannot acquire new licenses. Additionally, you receive the following error message:

Windows Media Player cannot play, synchronize, or burn a protected file because an error occurred while verifying the license. (Error code 0xC00D11DA)

This problem also occurs in third-party applications that use the Windows Media Format Software Development Kit (SDK) runtime.
  
You cannot play licensed media content in Windows Media Player after you remove Windows XP Service Pack 2

When you try to play some licensed media content that you previously played in Windows Media Player, the licensed media content may no longer play and you may have to reacquire some licenses to play the content.
Error message when you try to play protected media files in Windows Media Player: "Secure storage protection error. Restore your licenses from a previous backup and try again"

If you try to use Microsoft Windows Media Player to play media files that are licensed using Digital Rights Management (DRM) technology, you may receive the following error message:

Secure storage protection error. Restore your licenses from a previous backup and try again

You may not be able to play the protected content. Protected content includes content such as songs that you bought and downloaded from an online store.
  
Windows Media Player Shortcut Is Added to the Desktop After You Run Sysprep

When you run Sysprep on your Windows XP computer, a shortcut to Windows Media Player is created on your desktop.
  
You Cannot Play a DVD-RW or a DVD+RW Disk by Using Windows Media Player or Sonic CinePlayer

When you try to play a DVD-RW or a DVD+RW disk by using either Windows Media Player or Sonic CinePlayer from Sonic Solutions, you may receive the following error message:

The DVD key exchange for copy protection has failed. Playback is not possible.
  
An installed hotfix is indicated by a Windows Media Player icon in the Add or Remove Programs item of Control Panel

If you use the Add or Remove Programs item in Control Panel to view a list of currently installed programs, some of the hotfixes may be indicated by a Microsoft Windows Media Player icon.

This issue may occur with hotfixes that are downloaded and installed from the Microsoft Windows Update Web site.
  
Some high definition video files do not play correctly in Windows XP Media Center Edition

When you play some high definition (HD) video files by using Microsoft Windows Media Player 9, on a computer that is running Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition, you may find that the audio or video playback stutters, or the audio and video are not synchronized correctly.
Error Message Appears When a Limited User Tries to Stream Media in Windows Media Player

When you are a limited user on Windows XP Home Edition, you cannot receive streamed media through Windows Media Player. The following error message appears:

Access is denied
  
You Lose Audio Playback After You Upgrade to Windows XP

After you upgrade your computer to Microsoft Windows XP, the computer may seem to play sounds, but you do not hear any audio playback. For example, the Seek button may progress across the window underneath a sound clip in Windows Media Player, and the visualization may appear as expected, but the speakers emit no sound.
  
You cannot play audio files that are stored in the Shared Music folder by using the My Music feature in Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005

When you store audio files in the Shared Music folder on your computer, you cannot play the files from the My Music feature that is on the main menu in Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005.
  
The client cannot play back video, and multiple "401 - Access denied" error messages are logged in the Windows Media Services logs

This article discusses an issue where Microsoft Windows Media Player or Microsoft Windows Media Center Edition may unintentionally deny clients access to content. The cause of this behavior may be the way that the content provider set up the business model. The article discusses possible solutions for this problem.
  
Music added to monitored folders may not immediately update in Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005

When you add new music to folders that are monitored in Microsoft Windows Media Player, the updated changes may not appear immediately in Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005. Depending on the size of the music library and on how many files are added, this update may take longer than expected.
Video That Uses Indeo3 Codec May Become Inverted When Moved Between Primary and Secondary Display

When you use Windows Media Player to view an Audio-Video Interleaved file (.avi) that uses the Indeo3 codec, the video may become inverted if you turn on the extended desktop and if the video has been moved back and forth between the primary and secondary displays.

This problem has been seen only with media that is encoded with the Indeo3 codec.

NOTE: this behaviour is not specific to Windows Media Player (other players have also exhibited this behaviour).
  
Extending Desktop While Playing Video May Cause Problems in Windows XP

When you try to extend the desktop to a secondary display while Windows Media Player is playing a video on the primary display, you may experience one or more of the following symptoms:
  • Although the sound continues to play, the video may be missing.
  • The video may stop, and when you try to start it again, you may receive an error message, or it may play sound with no video.
These symptoms may also occur when:
  • You try to turn off the extended desktop on the secondary monitor while video is playing.
  • You are using a third-party video playback program other than Windows Media Player.
  
DVD movies play full-screen in a single color on Windows XP

When you play a DVD full-screen through Microsoft Windows Media Player or through a third-party DVD player, the video may play in a single color.
  
An Incorrect Aspect Ratio Is Used When You Play MPEG-1 Files in Windows XP

Microsoft Windows Media Player incorrectly resizes MPEG-1 files when you play them. For example, a 352 X 240 file is shown with a 320 X 240 aspect ratio if the correct aspect ratio is applied. However, the file is shown with a 312 X 240 aspect ratio.
  
MacroVision does not work correctly for DVD video

When you play a DVD video that is copy-protected by MacroVision in Windows Media Player, you may experience any of the following symptoms:
  • The sound is not synchronized with the video.
  • The video is distorted or pixilated [sic]
  • If the display adapter on the computer supports TV Out, the signal from the TV Output of the computer does not appear correctly.
The play window of a non-Microsoft video player may appear as a black screen when you try to play a TV show that you recorded by using Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005

The play window of a non-Microsoft video player may appear as a black screen when you try to play a TV show that was recorded by using Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005.
  
Cdplayer.exe does not work correctly after you upgrade from Windows 98 or Windows 2000 to Windows XP

After you upgrade your computer from Microsoft Windows 98 or Microsoft Windows 2000 to Windows XP, the existing CD Player program (Cdplayer.exe) remains, and a clean installation of Windows XP does not install any new version of Cdplayer.exe. If you try to continue to use the existing CD Player program, you encounter the following results:
  • If you upgraded from Windows 2000, you can start CD Player, but the Scan Forward and Scan Back buttons do not work.
  • If you upgraded from Windows 98 (retail version), you can start CD Player, but the program does not recognize audio CDs.
  • If you upgraded from Windows 98 (retail version with Plus!98) you can start Deluxe CD Player, and the program functions correctly.
  
You receive an error message or the file plays poorly when you import an .mpeg file that was created by using InterVideo Home Theater or WinDVD in Windows Movie Maker

When you use Microsoft Windows Movie Maker to import an .mpeg file that was created by using InterVideo Home Theater or InterVideo WinDVD, you may experience one or more of the following symptoms:
  • You hear the sound, but the screen is black.
  •  The video quality is poor.
  • You receive one of the following error messages:
The file File_name.mpeg cannot be imported because the codec required to play the file is not installed on your computer. If you have already tried to download and install the codec, close and restart Windows Movie Maker, and then try to import the file again.

File_name.mpeg could not be imported. Unspecified error
  • When you right-click the timeline and then click Play Timeline, you receive the following error message:
Too many interfaces. Can not load file
  
The "Play all" feature in the common tasks pane of Windows Explorer does not work as expected

This article describes how to repair the "Play all" functionality which is found in the common tasks pane of folders that contain audio and video files.
  
“Cannot Play Video” error message after you switch from full-screen mode to PIP mode on a Windows XP Media Center Edition-based computer

When you run Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition and switch from full-screen video playback to Picture in Picture (PIP) playback, or vice versa, you may receive the following error message:

Cannot Play Video

You may also be decremented multiple times for subscribed content when you switch from one screen to another.
You receive a "cannot find the specified file" error message when you try to play a video file in Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005

When you try to play a video file in Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005, you may receive the following error message:

CANNOT PLAY VIDEO

Media Center cannot find the specified file. Be sure the path is typed correctly. If it is, the file does not exist at the specified location, or the computer where the file is stored is offline.

You receive this error message even though the path is typed correctly, the file exists at the specified location, and the computer where the file is stored in not offline.
  
FIX: Windows Media Player does not correctly detect MPEG2 content with embedded MP3 audio

When the Windows Media Player on Windows XP plays back some MPEG2 content, the player cannot accurately decode the file, although a decompressor is available on the computer. Programs such as Windows Media Player 6.4 and Graph Edit can play back the file.
  
Windows Media Player 10 only shows on taskbar

Windows Media Player 10 only shows on taskbar, it will not maximize or restore to a window.
  
FIX: You cannot play Windows Media content that is encoded by using the VC1 codec in Windows XP, in Windows Server 2003, or in Windows 2000

Consider the following scenario in Windows XP, in Windows Server 2003, or in Microsoft Windows 2000:
  • You try to play Windows Media content that is encoded by using the VC1 codec. Specifically, the content is encoded by using the WVC1 four character code (FOURCC).
  • You are using Windows Media Player 10 or an earlier version.
  •  You have never installed Windows Media Player 11.
  • You do not have Internet access.
In this scenario, you may not have the necessary codec to play the video content. And, you may receive the following error message:

Windows Media Player cannot play the file because the required video codec is not installed on your computer.

If this is related to not having internet access, why put the solution on the internet?
  
Bitstream errors occur when you use the Windows Media Video 9 Advanced Profile codec in Windows Media Player 11

Consider the following scenario: You use the Windows Media Video 9 Advanced Profile codec that is included with Windows Media Player 11 on a computer that is running Microsoft Windows XP or Windows Vista. You configure the Motion Vector Coding Method registry setting with a value of 1, 2, or 3 to code the motion vector information in field pictures. Then, you configure the Video Type registry setting with a value that indicates interlaced encoding. Also, you leave the Motion Search Range registry setting at the default value.

In this scenario, the resulting Windows Media Video bitstream may be incompliant with the VC-1 video codec specification. Because of this problem, bitstream errors may occur.
Windows Media Player 10 may close unexpectedly on a Windows XP-based computer

You install Microsoft Windows Media Player 10 on a computer that is running Microsoft Windows XP. A beta version of the Windows Media Format 11 runtime is already installed on this computer.

When you try to use Windows Media Player 10 to play a file that is protected by Windows Media Digital Rights Management (DRM), the following symptoms may occur:
  • Windows Media Player 10 closes unexpectedly.
  • You receive an error message that states that you do not have a license for the file.
  
Windows Media Player 10 error message on a Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005-based computer: "A more recent version of Windows Media Player is already installed"

When Microsoft Windows Media Player 10 checks for automatic updates on a Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005-based computer, you receive the following error message:

A more recent version of Windows Media Player is already installed.

Note This issue also occurs when you click Check for Player Updates on the Help menu in Windows Media Player 10.
  
The Windows Media Player shortcut icon disappears from the desktop after you run Windows Media Player version 10 for the first time

After you run Microsoft Windows Media Player version 10 for the first time and complete the initial configuration process, the Windows Media Player shortcut icon disappears from the desktop.
  
Error message when you try to install Windows Media Player 10 on a Windows XP Service Pack 2-based computer: "This version of Windows Media Technologies is incompatible with this version of Windows"

When you try to install Microsoft Windows Media Player 10 on a Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2-based computer, you may receive an error message that is similar to the following:

This version of Windows Media Technologies is incompatible with this version of Windows. For more information, view the information at the Microsoft web site.
  
Windows Media Player has encountered a problem and needs to close

When you start Windows Media Player you get the following error:-"Windows Media Player has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience."
Windows Media Player10 refuses to go to the Full Screen mode

Windows Media Player10 does not go to the Full Screen mode. It momentarily goes black with a little window in the top left hand corner then reopens.