Support for Windows Media Player technical problems

Resolving problems with sound

No sound in Windows
Get steps to identify and fix common sound problems in Windows, including no sound coming from your speakers or headphones.

You may be unable to hear the audio from a newly connected USB audio device in Windows Media Player 11 in Windows Vista
Get the steps to resolve this issue.

Resolving problems with video

Playing video files crashes or freezes Internet Explorer or Windows
Automatically diagnose and identify codecs that may cause Windows to become unstable or to stop responding.

Windows Media Player 11 may be temporarily unresponsive when you play a video file in Windows Vista
When you use Microsoft Windows Media Player 11 to play a video file, Windows Media Player may be temporarily unresponsive.

Working with digitally protected files and file transfers

You cannot transcode DRM-protected media in Windows Media Player 11
Learn more about how to transfer DRM-protected content to a portable media device.

FIX: Windows Media Player 11 may stop responding when you transfer media to a device that uses the Media Transfer Protocol and then you cancel the transfer process
Resolve the problem when Windows Media Player 11 stops responding when the transfer of media to a device is interupted.

You repeatedly receive a message to install update 929399 on a computer that is running Windows Vista or Windows XP
This article discusses a software update to correct an issue in which a subscription server cannot extract the metering data from a portable device that supports metering.

Other playback resolutions

Full-screen mode becomes unresponsive
In this scenario, the video playback window becomes unresponsive, pressing CTL+ALT+DEL to exit full-screen mode, Windows Media Player functionality returns.

You cannot view, add, or delete items in the library in Windows Media Player 11
Get steps to help fix a corrupted WMP database.

Streaming content stops, and you may receive an error message when you click "Next" in Windows Media Player
Get the update that resolves this issue with Internet Explorer 7.

You are redirected to a Web page when you try to play DRM-protected content
This article contains information about a security component upgrade that may resolve the problem.

Error messages

Windows Media Player C00D1199

Windows Media Player error C00D11BA

Windows Media Player C00D11B1

Windows Media Player error C00D1197

"Windows Media Player with no specific error code"

"Cannot open file"

"Invalid File Format. (Error=8004022F)"

"The specified protocol is not supported"

Search the Knowledge Base for other Windows Media Player error messages.

Get Windows Media Player and make it yours

Get Windows Media Player
Windows Media Player is available for the Windows and Windows Phone operating systems. If you've got a Mac, get the Windows Media Components for QuickTime to play Windows Media files.

Windows Media Player: Plug-ins
Add features to the Player, such as audio effects.

Windows Media Player: Visualizations
Enhance your listening experience in the Player with visual effects.

Windows Media Player: Skins
Customize the look of Windows Media Player.

Windows Media components for QuickTime for Mac
Get these Windows Media Components for QuickTime by Flip4Mac,so you can play Windows Media files in the QuickTime Player and view Windows Media content on the Internet using a web browser.

Get updated

Update for Windows Vista (KB941651)
Install this update to improve the reliability of Windows Media Player 11 for Windows Vista in certain scenarios.

MS07-047: Vulnerability in Windows Media Player could allow remote code execution
Get details about this Windows Media Player update.

FIX: Windows Media Player stops responding when you use a Nero burning plug-in
When you use a Nero burning plug-in (Neroburnplugin.dll) for Microsoft Windows Media Player, Windows Media Player stops responding (hangs) at random times.

Certain kinds of video content do not play after you apply a windowless skin such as the Revert skin to Windows Media Player
Learn more about causes and fixes for this configuration.

Learn about Windows Media Player

Windows Media Player Product Home Page
Visit the Windows Media Player Home page for more information useful tips.

Windows Media Player 12
Learn more about Windows Media Player 12 and Windows 7.

Get around in the Player
Get navigation tips to minimize your managing time for your music, pictures, and videos and maximize the time you spend enjoying them.

Using Windows Media Player
Learn the basics, get music/video, organize and personalize Windows Media Player.

Information about the Multimedia file types that Windows Media Player supports
This article discusses the multimedia file types that Microsoft Windows Media Player supports and provides a sample of most.

Get the FAQs

Frequently asked questions about Windows Media Player
Get answers to some common questions about using Windows Media Player.

Windows Media Player DRM: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about digital rights management (DRM), media usage rights, and protected Windows Media files.

Codecs: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about codecs.

Learn about DVDs and more

Overview: Playing videos and DVDs
Read about the number of ways to watch videos and DVDs on your computer

Play a CD or DVD in Windows Media Player
If you have a DVD drive and a compatible DVD decoder installed on your computer, you can use Windows Media Player to play a DVD-Video disc.

Burn a CD or DVD in Windows Media Player
Learn how to use Windows Media Player to copy music, pictures, and videos from your library to a blank CD or DVD.

DVD playback options for Windows
If you're running an edition of Windows without full DVD playback capability, you might need to install a compatible DVD decoder or upgrade your edition of Windows.

Stream music from your computer to Xbox 360
Learn how to use Windows Media Player 11 media sharing to stream music over your home network to your Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system.

DVD playback options for Windows
If you're running an edition of Windows without full DVD playback capability, you might need to install a compatible DVD decoder or upgrade your edition of Windows.

DVD menu commands do not work correctly
When you click a DVD menu command in Microsoft Windows Media Player 11, nothing happens.

Self-support options

Post a question or browse for solutions in the Microsoft Answers forums.

IT-Professionals: Post a question or browse for solutions in the Microsoft TechNet Windows 7 forums

Developers: Post a question or browse for solutions in the MSDN Software Development for Windows Client forums

Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base for technical solutions to common break-fix issues
Get a listing of Knowledge Base articles for Windows Media Player.

Paid incident support

To contact a Microsoft Support Professional via e-mail, on-line submission or phone click on the product and version below that is applicable to you. We’ll ask you a few questions in order to serve you efficiently.

Windows Media Player

To find information about non-technical customer service issues visit the Contact Us page. The Contact Us page is where you can find information on these and other top customer service issues.