Windows Media Player encountered a problem playing the file

Windows Media Player is a tool built into all Windows operating systems that allows you to open and use audio and video files of various formats. It is a very simple tool that meets the needs of most casual users.

Despite its simplicity, there are serious errors that users have to face on a daily basis and the one in the title is no different. It occurs when users try to open a file with Windows Media Player and that prevents them from opening it. Follow the solutions below to fix it.

Solution 1: Restore system

Although System Restore is considered the last resort, doesn't do much to change your overall experience, as it can be set to only go back several days, just before the error started to occur.

This method was very successful when it was suggested in a forum and we recommend doing it, along with several additional steps.

1. First, we will start the System Restore utility on your computer. Search for System Restore with the Search button on your Windows 10 or in the Start menu. From there, click Create a restore point.

1. A System Properties window will appear showing the necessary settings. Inside this window, open Protection Settings and make sure protection is enabled on the system drive.

2. If it is disabled, select that disk and click the Configure button to enable protection. You should also allocate a sufficient amount of disk space for system protection. You can set it to whatever value you want as long as you have at least a couple of gigabytes. Click Apply and then OK to apply the settings.

1. Now the system will create a restore point automatically every time a new program is installed or a major change occurs on the computer.

Once you have successfully activated it, let's get your PC back to the state where the debugger failed. Make sure to back up some important documents and applications that you have created or installed in the meantime, just to be sure.

1. Find System Restore with the Search button next to the Start menu and click Create a restore point. Inside the System Properties window, click System Restore.

1. Inside the System Restore window, select the option called Choose a different restore point and click the Next button.

2. Select a particular restore point that you have previously saved manually. You can also select any available restore point in the list and hit the Next button to proceed with the restore process. Once the process is complete, will return to the state your computer was in at the time.

3. Now, once the process is finished and your computer starts up properly, open Windows Media Player and click the Organize button in the upper left of the window.

1. Click Options and navigate to the Library tab in the Options window. Locate the option Retrieve additional information from the Internet in the section Automatic updates of multimedia information for files. and check the box next to it. Keep checked the first radio button that says Add only missing information .

2. Check if the problem is solved.

Solution 2: check for newly installed programs

Although this may seem like a long way, there are countless users who have tried all the other suggested methods online to see that they fail, but this method solved the problem in less than five minutes.

You will need to check if any new programs or updates have been installed on your PC, especially programs or tools that have something to do with audio settings. If you find them, uninstall them immediately to solve your problem. You can also try booting into safe mode where all these apps are disabled to see if the problem goes away.

1. First, make sure you are logged in with an administrator account, as you will not be able to remove programs with any other account.

2. Click on the start menu and open the Control Panel by searching for it. Alternatively, you can click gear icon to open settings if you are using windows 10.

3. In the control panel, select »View as: Category »in the upper right corner and click Uninstall a program in the Programs section.

1. If you use the Settings app, by clicking Applications, a list of all programs installed on your PC will immediately open.

2. Find the Change View button and set it in Details. Now you just have to click the Installed tab to sort the programs on your computer by the date they were installed.

1. Locate any programs that may have had something to do with sound, audio or video o, in general, any suspicious files. In some cases, it was Apple's IDT Audio or even Sony PC Companion.

2. Click the Uninstall button after selecting the tool you want to uninstall. A message will appear asking if you want to confirm your choice. Click Yes.

3. Click Finish when the uninstall process is complete, restart your computer and check if the problem is solved.

Solution 3: disable Windows Media Player network sharing service

Disabling this service helped several users who could not open almost all files of a certain extension like .wav. This simple solution has helped them a lot, but you can disable some other functions of Windows Media Player, so the solution is suggested at this point and not at the beginning.

1. Open the Run dialog with the Windows key combination + R. Type services.msc in the Run dialog box and click OK to open the services related settings.

1. Find Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service, right-click on it and select Properties from the context menu that will appear.

2. If the service stops (you can mark it right next to the service status message), you must leave it as is. If it is running, click the Stop button and wait for the service to close before continuing.

1. Make sure the option in the Startup Type section of Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service Properties is disabled before exiting Services.

2. Check if the problem with Windows Media Player is fixed once and for all.

Solution 4: a long but rewarding arrangement

This solution is somewhat complicated as it covers many stages, but it is definitely worth writing it as it can be very helpful and solve the problem where all other methods fail. Good luck!

First, we will have to take possession of the Windows Media Player folder in Program Files to be able to change the Properties of certain files.

1. Go to C >> Program files (32 bits) o C >> Program files (x86) for users of 64 bits and you should be able to see the Windows Media Player folder.

2. Right click on the file, click on Properties and then on the Security tab. Click on the Advanced button. The »Advanced Security Settings« window appears.. Here you have to change the owner of the key.

3. Click the Change link next to “Owner”: The Select User or Group window appears.

1. Select the user account using the Advanced button or just type your user account in the area that says $ 0027 Enter the name of the object to select $ 0027 and click OK. Add your user account.

2. Optionally, to change the owner of all subfolders and files within the folder, select the check box “Replace owner on subcontainers and objects” in the window “Advanced security settings”. Click OK to change the property.

After that, we will have to disable and re-enable Windows Media Player from the Control Panel, what should help to solve the problem. Even if you don't, there is still a final solution step.

1. On your keyboard, click the key combination Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog. Scribe “control Panel” in the box and click OK.

1. Change the view in Control Panel to “See for: Category” and click “Uninstall a program” in the Programs section.

2. On the right side of the screen that opens, click on Turn Windows Features On or Off and find the Multimedia Features section. Expand the list and search for Windows Media Player. Uncheck the box next to it, click OK and confirm any dialog boxes that may appear. Restart your computer after (important)!

1. Immediately after rebooting, go back to the same point and re-enable the Windows Media Player input. Apply the changes and restart the computer again. Try running the file now. If the error still appears, follow the rest of the steps.

2. Go back to the Windows Media Player folder in Program Files, depending on the architecture of your operating system, and look for files where the Security tab in Properties shows that the file is locked. Unlock it and repeat the process for all locked files. The problem should go away now.