How to Fix ‘Windows Media Player Cannot Play the File’ Error

When you sit down to watch a video or listen to some music on Windows Media Player, the dreaded error message pops up: ‘Windows Media Player cannot play the file.’

Frustrating, right? We've all been there!

Whether it's a video you’ve been dying to watch or a song you've been jamming to, this problem can mess with your groove. But don’t worry, you're not alone, and this article is here to help you fix Windows Media Player so you can get back to your content like a pro.

GUIDE LIST

1. Why Windows Media Player Cannot Play the File

2. How to Repair "Windows Media Player Cannot Play the File"

3. Tips to Avoid "Windows Media Player Cannot Play the File" Error

4. FAQs

1. Why Windows Media Player Cannot Play the File

Before jumping into solutions, it’s helpful to understand why Windows Media Player can’t play certain files. There are a few common culprits here:

1.1. Missing Codecs

Windows Media Player requires specific codecs to play various media formats (like MP4, MOV, or AVI). If the proper codec isn't installed on your system, the player won’t be able to decode the file, leading to the error message.

1.2. Corrupt or Damaged Files

Sometimes, files can get corrupted due to sudden shutdowns, improper transfers, or software glitches. A corrupted file might not play at all, even if it’s in a supported format.

1.3. Unsupported File Format

Windows Media Player supports most of the popular video and audio formats, but there are some that it simply can’t handle. For instance, if you’re trying to play a WebM video or a format that's too new, it may not work right out of the box. For that, you can convert WebM to MP4 or other WMP-supported formats.

1.4. Incorrect Settings or Configuration Issues

Windows Media Player's settings or the internal library may be misconfigured, causing playback issues. Sometimes, tweaks to the settings can resolve these issues.

1.5. Outdated or Incompatible Software

If you haven’t updated your Windows Media Player in a while, it may be running on outdated software, leading to incompatibility with newer file formats. Plus, if your Windows operating system isn’t updated, that could be a contributing factor as well.

1.6. Damaged System Files

Windows uses a lot of background processes to ensure your media plays correctly. If these system files are corrupted or missing, the media player might not function as it should, leading to errors like ‘Windows Media Player cannot burn some of the files.’

2. How to Repair "Windows Media Player Cannot Play the File"

Luckily, there are several ways to fix Windows Media Player and get your files playing again. Here’s a breakdown of some methods you can try:

VLC

One of the easiest and quickest ways to get your media playing is by using VLC Media Player. VLC is a free, open-source player that supports nearly every file format under the sun. It’s an easy workaround if Windows Media Player refuses to play your file.

While this doesn’t fix the root cause of the problem in Windows Media Player, it can allow you to play your media without further hassle.

This is one of the easiest ways to fix this issue, including Windows Media Player not playing sound, no screen, and more.

Windows Media Player Troubleshooter

Windows has a built-in troubleshooter that can help detect and fix issues with Windows Media Player. If your player is having trouble with certain files, running the troubleshooter could help identify the problem.

Delete the Windows Media Player Library

Sometimes, the player’s library can get corrupt, leading to issues with playing files. You can reset the library by deleting it, which will force Windows Media Player to rebuild it.

Reinstall Windows Media Player

If none of the other methods work, reinstalling Windows Media Player may be the best option. This can help if your installation is corrupt or has outdated files.

ArkThinker Video Repair

If your file is corrupted, it could be beyond the simple fixes above. In that case, a dedicated tool like ArkThinker Video Repair can help. This tool can repair corrupted video files without affecting the quality.

ArkThinker Video Repair is designed to fix corrupted or damaged video files. It supports a wide range of formats, including MP4, MOV, AVI, and more, which Windows Media Player supports. If you're dealing with a corrupt file that won’t play in Windows Media Player, this tool could be the solution.

Then, upload the WMP video that’s been giving you trouble.

Pro tip: Try uploading a sample video from the same source (you downloaded or recorded the video for WMP playback). It’ll help the tool work faster and more effectively on your footage.

After the repair is complete, try playing the file again in Windows Media Player.

3. Tips to Avoid "Windows Media Player Cannot Play the File" Error

While the fixes above can solve the problem in most cases, it’s always a good idea to avoid running into issues in the future. Here are a few tips:

1. Install the Latest Codecs

Keep your codecs updated to avoid compatibility issues. To ensure your system can handle all common video and audio formats, you can download a codec pack like the K-Lite Codec Pack.

2. Keep Your Software Updated

Ensure your Windows Media Player and Windows operating system are always up to date. Updates often come with bug fixes and improvements that can help prevent errors like these.

3. Use Supported Formats

Stick to file formats that Windows Media Player, such as MP4, WMA, or AVI natively support. If you have a video in a different format, consider converting it to something Windows Media Player can handle.

4. Backup Your Files

Corrupted files are one of the main causes of playback issues. Always back up important files, so you don’t lose your content if something goes wrong.

4. FAQs

Conclusion

Now that you have the tools to fix the issue, go ahead and give it a shot! Let me know if you run into any issues along the way.