Error Messages in Windows Media Player
Resolve error messages in Windows Media Player.
Answers refer to Windows Media Player 10, unless otherwise noted.
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Why do I receive "Class not registered" (80040154)?
You may be able to eliminate this error by downloading and installing the latest Microsoft DirectX application programming interface. Multimedia applications, including Windows Media Player, rely on DirectX technologies to improve performance when playing digital media files. Therefore, it is always a good idea to install the latest version of DirectX for your operating system. For more information, see the Microsoft DirectX Home page.
If you get this error message when playing AVI files, it is possible that a problem exists with the codec that was used to create the file. For more information about finding codecs, see Top Questions about Codecs in Windows Media Player.
If you get this error while trying to play MPEG-2 or DVD video, you may need to install (or reinstall) DVD decoder software. For more information, see DVD Decoder Plug-ins.
Why do I receive "No such interface supported" (80004002)?
This error usually occurs for the reasons described in the previous question.
Why do I receive "Windows Media Player cannot play this DVD because a problem occurred with digital copyright protection" (C00D1163)?
To prevent the illegal creation of perfect digital copies of DVDs, the information on most DVDs is scrambled. Your DVD decoder and Windows Media Player have copy protection software that decodes the information on the DVD just before displaying it. If this software doesn't start correctly, you might receive this error. Remove the DVD from the DVD drive and then reinsert it. This will force the copy protection software to reset.
While the DVD is out of the drive, make sure that your DVD is clean. If your DVD is scratched or dirty, the DVD drive may not be able to read it correctly, and you might receive this error.
If this doesn't work, try the following:
| • | If you have been able to play DVDs on your computer before, and you receive this error message, you might be able to solve the problem by restarting Windows Media Player or your computer. |
| • | If you receive this error message the first time you try to play a DVD, you might not have a DVD decoder installed, or your decoder software might need to be updated. In addition to your DVD-ROM drive and Player software, you must have either a software or hardware decoder to play DVDs. Hardware decoders and their drivers are available from third-party manufacturers. For more information about software decoders, see DVD Decoder Plug-ins. If you have an older decoder installed, contact the manufacturer of the decoder to obtain an updated version that is compatible with Windows Media Player and Microsoft Windows XP operating systems. |
Why do I receive "Cannot play the file" (C00D11C0)?
You may receive this error message for any of the following reasons:
| • | Your computer is not connected to the local area network (LAN) or Internet. Connect to the network or Internet, and then try again. | ||||||||||
| • | The path to the file is not valid. If you typed a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) address in the Open URL dialog box, verify that the file name is spelled correctly and the path to the file is correct, and then try again. If you clicked a link on a Web page, the link might not be valid. | ||||||||||
| • | The server that hosts the content that you are trying to play is not online or is busy. Try again later. | ||||||||||
| • | Some network protocols in Windows Media Player are not enabled. Enable all network protocols, and then try again. To enable all network protocols
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| • | The proxy server settings for the Player are not configured properly. Verify that your proxy settings are correct, and then try again. To configure your proxy server settings
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NoteIf you are connected to the Internet through a dial-up connection, you might not be able to choose the proxy server. For more information, consult your Internet service provider or network administrator.
Why do I receive error message C00D10BD when I try to play a DVD?
Generally, this error occurs when your DVD player's software drivers are not functioning properly. Reinstall the drivers by scanning for updates at Microsoft Windows Update or by going to the Web site of your DVD player manufacturer to see if there are any updates for your player's drivers. You should also install the most current version of DirectX.
NoteIf DVD XCopy Platinum software 321 Studios is installed on your computer, it can also cause this error. Try removing this software to see if this fixes this error.
Why do I receive error message C00D11C9 when I try to burn a CD?
Windows Media Player can't copy the files to your recordable (CD-R or CD-RW) disc for one of the following reasons:
| • | The CD-R or CD-RW drive is busy performing another operation. Wait for the drive to complete its current task, and then try again. |
| • | The CD-R or CD-RW drive is not connected properly. Verify that the drive is connected properly, and then try again. |
| • | The software drivers for the CD-R or CD-RW drive are missing or corrupted. Reinstall the drivers by scanning for updates at Microsoft Windows Update or by going to the Web site of your CD drive manufacturer. |
| • | The CD-R or CD-RW drive is not compatible with Windows. Check the Windows Marketplace Tested Products List to ensure that your CD drive is designed for use with Windows. If the drive is not listed, it may not work correctly. |
Why do I receive "Cannot play protected files" (C00D271D)?
You may receive this message when you try to play a protected file and your Windows user account is a member of both the Administrators group and the Guests group. For example, if you download a protected file while logged on as a member of the Administrators group, you can't play that file when you are logged on as a member of both groups. To resolve the problem, simply remove your user account from the Guests group by doing the following:
1. | Click Start, click Control Panel, and then double-click Administrative Tools. |
2. | In Administrative Tools, double-click Computer Management. |
3. | In the console tree, expand System Tools, expand Local Users and Groups, and then click Groups. |
4. | In the details pane, right-click Guests, and then click Properties. |
5. | In Guest Properties, in the Members list, click your user account name, and then click Remove. |
NoteIf you're using Category View in Windows XP, to open Administrative Tools, click Start, click Control Panel, click Performance and Maintenance, and then click Administrative Tools.
Why do I receive an error message that my metadata is stale (C00D0FDD)?
Your computer's time and date are not set correctly. For information about how to change your computer's time and date, see Windows Help and Support.
If you don't find the answer to your question in this column, be sure to check the Archive. Media Advice is not an official Microsoft Support channel. If you need immediate help for an urgent problem, we recommend that you visit Microsoft Help and Support.