Typically, that happens when Windows Media Player lacks the codecs required to decode specific media file types. Several other reasons, such as outdated codecs and obsolete hardware drivers, can also cause problems. The troubleshooting tips that follow should help you fix the “Windows Media Player cannot play the file” error.
1. Download Codecs Automatically
1. Download Codecs Automatically
Windows Media Player supports a wide range of audio and video formats, but you’ll eventually run into a file type that isn’t supported. You can fix that by configuring the program to download the relevant codecs automatically.
2. Install Codecs Separately
2. Install Codecs Separately
If enabling Download Codecs Automatically did not help (or if you couldn’t find it listed within the Windows Media Player Options), then you must install the required media codecs manually. The best way to go about doing that is to install the K-Lite Codec Pack. It’s completely free and adds codecs for most audio and video formats. It will also update any outdated media decoders on your computer.
3. Set Correct Audio Device
3. Set Correct Audio Device
Sometimes, you will see the “Windows Media Player cannot play the file” error if Windows Media Player uses the wrong audio output device. You can rule that out by heading into the WMP Options.
4. Update Audio and Video Drivers
4. Update Audio and Video Drivers
Outdated audio and video drivers can create all sorts of issues while playing music and video files in Windows Media Player and other multimedia players in general. If you continue to get a “Windows Media Player cannot play the file” error, try updating them.
Update Audio Drivers
Update Video Drivers
5. Update Windows 10
5. Update Windows 10
The latest Windows updates not only come with feature enhancements, but they also help fix software-related issues that prevent your computer from functioning properly. If you haven’t updated Windows 10 in a while, try doing that now.
6. Disable/Enable WMP
6. Disable/Enable WMP
Still having issues with the “Windows Media Player cannot play the file” error? Try reinstalling Windows Media Player. Since the program is a built-in Windows 10 component, you must use the Windows Features panel to remove and add it back.
7. Check Windows Registry
7. Check Windows Registry
The Windows Registry contains a set of specific entries that the Windows Media Player often relies on to play audio and video files. Check if the values within those entries are correct. We recommend that you make a backup of the Windows Registry before going ahead.
CLSID — {083863F1-70DE-11d0-BD40-00A0C911CE86}FriendlyName — DirectShow FiltersMerit — 00600000
If you see a different value in a registry entry, you must modify it. To do that, right-click the entry, select Modify, change the values to the ones shown above, and select OK.
8. Use a Different Media Player
8. Use a Different Media Player
The audio or video format that you’re attempting to play may be totally incompatible with Windows Media Player. Try using an alternative multimedia player for file types that cause the “Windows Media Player cannot play the file” error to show up. Options include the built-in Movies & TV app in Windows 10, Media Player Classic (which comes with the K-Lite Codec Pack), and the VLC media player.
9. Reset Windows 10
9. Reset Windows 10
Do you keep getting the “Windows Media Player cannot play the file” error almost all the time? You can try resetting Windows 10 to its factory defaults. That may end up fixing any corrupt settings or other underlying issues preventing Windows Media Player from functioning properly. To initiate an operating system reset, head over to Start > Settings > Update & Recovery > Recovery. You can choose to keep your data intact during the reset procedure, but make sure to create a backup of your data beforehand.
