10 Fixes to Windows Media Player Not Working

Sometimes we come across computer problems, like Windows Media Player not working, but don't know how to fix it. Due to the different factors behind this problem, it is not easy to find a solution that works for us. Therefore, this article sorts out several typical situations and gives solutions for each situation. Compare your case to the ones below and find the right solution for you here!

Also read: WMP Not Playing Video Only Sound | WMP Encountered a Problem While Playing the File | Movies & TV App No Sound | Movies & TV App Not Working | Videos Not Playing on Computer

1. Windows Media Player Stopped Working

Solution: This is actually a common error that can happen with any software, including games, browsers, and of course media players. Luckily, there is a one-size-fits-all solution to this problem: Remove the KB3132372 update

Step 1. Click on Start button and enter “Control Panel” in the search bar. Select “Control Panel” from the list of results.

Step 2. When Control Panel opens, click on “Programs” > “Programs and Features” > “View installed updates”, then look for update KB3132372.

Step 3. After you’ve found the update, uninstall it. And then restart your computer.

2. Windows Media Player Not Responding

Solution: Reset Windows Media Player

Step 1. Search and open “Programs and Features” through the Start button. Click 'Turn Windows features on or off', then expand “Media Features” and uncheck “Windows Media Player”. Hit “Yes” then “OK” and reboot the computer.

Step 2. When the computer is turned on, repeat the previous steps to check “Windows Media Player” to re-install the program. Then reboot the computer again to see the improvements.

3. Windows Media Player Is Not Compatible with Win 10

Solution: Turn Off Program Compatibility Engine and Assistant

Step 1. Press “Windows+R” and type “gpedit.msc” in the search bar. Then open “gpedit.msc”.

Step 2. In the Local Group Policy Editor, expand “Administrative Templates” > “Windows Components” > “Application Compatibility”. On the right side, right-click “Turn Off Program Compatibility Engine” to edit. Then select “Enabled” > “Apply” > “OK”.

Step 3. Next, edit the next option “Turn Off Program Compatibility Assistant”. Then select “Enabled” > “Apply” > “OK”.

Step 4. Restart your computer and run the program to check the improvements.

4. Windows Media Player “Server execution failed” Error

Solution: Damaged Windows System Files, stopped Windows media player network service, and the wrong user account can all lead to this error. Solutions are varied.

Fix 1. End WMP in Task Manager:

Press “Shift+Ctrl+Esc” to open Windows Task Manager. Then select “wmplayer” under the “Processes” pane and hit “End Process” at the bottom right. Reopen WMP to see if it works.

Fix 2. Register jscript.dll and vbscript.dll:

Enter “Command Prompt” in the Start search box, and right-click “Command Prompt” to “Run as administrator”. Then type regsvr32 jscript.dll in “Command Prompt” and press “Enter”. When it’s done, click “OK”. Go on to type regsvr32 vbscript.dll by repeating the previous step. Restart the system and open WMP to check the improvements.

5. Universal Fixes to Other Cases of Windows Media Player Won't Open

If there is no error message to your Windows Media Player not opening, then try the following universal fixes.

1. Run built-in WMP Troubleshooters

There are totally three WMP troubleshooters - Windows Media Player Settings Troubleshooter, Windows Media Player Library Troubleshooter, and Windows Media Player DVD Troubleshooter, each troubleshooter alone is able to fix some relevant errors. You are to try each one out to completely rule out the errors. Instructions to each troubleshooter are given below:

Press hot-key “Win+R” to open Run box, type the following orders and hit “OK” to open the corresponding troubleshooter:

“msdt.exe -id WindowsMediaPlayerConfigurationDiagnostic” (Windows Media Player Settings Troubleshooter)

“msdt.exe -id WindowsMediaPlayerLibraryDiagnostic” (Windows Media Player Library Troubleshooter)

“msdt.exe -id WindowsMediaPlayerDVDDiagnostic” (Windows Media Player DVD Troubleshooter)

Then click “Next” then “Apply this fix” to clear the problem.

2. Disable WMP Network Sharing Service

Press “Win+R” to bring up Run box. Input “services.msc” and then press “Enter” to open “Services”. In the list of results, look for “Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service” and right-click on it to select “Properties”. In the pop-up window, alter the “Startup type” to “Disabled” > “Apply” > “OK”. Finally, reboot your computer and WMP should work correctly again.

3. Delete the Windows Media Player Library

First, press “Win+R” to open Run box. Then type “services.msc” in the box and then click OK to open Services. Next, find “Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service” and right-click on it to choose “Stop”.

Now, open “Computer” on your desktop. Copy and paste “C:\Users\1\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Media Player” into the location bar on the top and then press “Enter”. (If you could not navigate to this location, try search “Media Player” on the top right corner search bar to locate the folder). Next, delete all the “Windows Media Library” types of file or files with an extension of “.wmdb” inside the folder. Then reopen WMP and it should be able to work properly.

4. Restore System

Note: Please backup your computer data before system restoring in case of unnecessary data loss.

Click the “Start” button then type “create a restore point” in the search box. Select “System Restore” under the “System Protection” pane. Next, follow the prompts to select a restore point where WMP functions well. Then run the system restore process. When the system restored to a previous configuration, check whether WMP operates correctly this time.