10 Fixes For Windows Media Player Not Working in Windows 10

Why did my Windows Media Player stopped working?

There could be plenty of reasons behind it. But the primary reason behind the windows media player not working issue is the incompatible variant. The 32-bit windows media player often clashes with Windows 10. Other reasons behind this error could be the corrupted files, missing files, or vitiated drivers. 

Fixes For Windows Media Player Not Working in Windows 10

• Method 1: Run Windows Media Player Troubleshooter
• Method 2: Re-register all the DLL Files
• Method 3: Disable and enable Windows Media Player using windows features
• Method 4: Disable and enable Windows Media Player manually
• Method 5: Using Codec Pack
• Method 6: Delete the Windows Media Player Library
• Method 7: Use the DISM and SFC Tools
• Method 8: Backup Your Data and Run System Restore
• Method 9: Using Services
• Method 10: Try an alternative video player

Method 1: Run Windows Media Player Troubleshooter

For running the Windows Media Player Troubleshooter, follow the steps mentioned below:

Step:01 – Open the Control Panel by searching it on the taskbar.

Step:02 – From the view by option, choose to view items in small icons.

Step:03 – Now, locate the Troubleshooting option and open it.

Step:04 – In the list of programs, search Windows Media Player Library and open it for troubleshooting.

Step:05 – Now click on next to proceed. As you do so, your system will start searching for errors and possible fixes that are possible.

Step:06 – If any problem gets detected, it will fix on its own. But if the problem does not go, try doing the succeeding methods. 

Method 2: Re-register all the DLL Files

Step:01 – Search the Command Prompt by typing cmd in the taskbar.

Step:02 – Select Run as Administrator.

Step:03 – Now execute the following commands one by one on the window.

• regsvr32 vbscript.dll
• regsvr32 jscript.dll
• regsvr32 wmp.dll

Step:04 – Close all the windows and restart your PC.

Step:05 – Check if the problem is gone.

Method 3: Disable and enable Windows Media Player using windows features

Step:01 – Open Control Panel.

Step:02 – Change the view by option back to category. And click on programs.

Step:03 – Now, click on Programs and features options.

Step:04 – From the left side of the windows, click on the Turn Windows features on or off.

Step:05 – Locate the Media Features and click on the plus sign in just front of it.

Step:06 – Now, you will get to see the Windows Media Player folder.

Step:07 – Click on the check box to unselect the folder and click yes when the system raises a warning dialogue box. 

Step:08 – Restart your device.

Method 4: Disable and enable Windows Media Player manually

Step:01 – Open Settings by searching it on the taskbar, or execute Windows + I to open settings directly.

Step:02 – Click on Apps from the mentioned options.

Step:03 – Now click on Manage Optional Features on the window.

Step:04 – Search the Windows Media Player and click Uninstall.

Step:05 – Restart your device. And now your device must install the player once again automatically.

Method 5: Using Codec Pack

Step:01 – Open Google on any of the browsers you have.

Step:02 – Now, in the search bar, search Media Player Codec Pack.

Step:03 – Open the link which says Media Player Codec Pack for Microsoft Windows.

Step:04 – Click on the Download button to download the codec pack.

Step:05 – Open the downloaded setup file and complete the setup by following steps as supervised.

Method 6: Delete the Windows Media Player Library

Step:01 – Open Services.

Step:02 – Locate the Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service and now right-click on it to stop it.

Step:03 – Open the file explorer by executing the Windows + E. 

Step:04 – Search Windows Media Player in Local Disk: C

Step:05 – Open the Windows Media Player folder.

Step:06 – Now delete all the Windows Media Library (.wmdb) files contained in the folder.

Step:07 – Try examining the Windows Media Player again.

Method 7: Use the DISM and SFC Tools

Before using DISM and SFC, it is good to put your device in safe mode to avoid errors during the scan. So to put your device in Safe Mode, obey the below steps:

1. Open Run by searching it on the taskbar or execute the Windows key + R to open the Run application.

2. Now enter msconfig in the input window and press enter.
3. Now open the Boot Tab and under the Boot options, check the safe mode option and click OK to apply the changes.

• For running the SFC tool:

Step:01 – Render to the taskbar, and search cmd.

Step:02 – And select Run as Administrator.

Step:03 – Now, type sfc /scannow and press enter.

Step:04 – Now, the system file checker will start scanning the damaged files. And will fix all the files for you in seconds.

Note:- Use the commands with proper space, or it may cause errors.

• For running the DISM tool:

Step:01 – Search cmd on the taskbar. And hit enter!

Step:02 – Now, inscribe DISM /Online /Cleanup-image /ScanHealth, and proceed by pressing enter.

Step:03 – Once the test is over, close the safe mode and restart your computer.

If any damaged files are detected, use DISM /Online /Cleanup-image /RestoreHealth command and press enter.

Method 8: Backup Your Data and Run System Restore

• Creating a Backup:

To Backup your data, you may need to do the following:

Step:01 – Open Control Panel and click on System and Maintenance.

Step:02 – Now, open the Backup and Restore option from there.

Step:03 – Select the Set up the Backup option to set up a new backup.

• Creating a restore point:

For creating a restore point:

Step:01 – Open Control Panel followed by the System and Maintenance.

Step:02 – Now, from there, open Settings and select System Protection.

Step:03 – Add some description and click on the create button. 

• Restoring:

Step:01 – Open Backup and Restore.

Step:02 – Now click Restore my files to restore individual user files or Restore all user’s files to restore all the files.

Method 9: Using Services

Step:01 – Search Services from the taskbar and open it. 

Step:02 – Now, from the list of programs, locate the Windows Media Player Network Sharing Services right-click on it.

Step:03 – Now select properties and open the General tab.

Step:04 – In the General tab, select the startup type and choose it to be disabled. Now apply the changes and click OK.

It should fix the issue if it doesn’t. Proceed with the next steps. 

Method 10: Try an alternative video player

If none of the above methods helped you, then do try using some other media players. A few times, this issue is temporary and goes away after some time. But in a few cases, this issue may continue for a long time. In that case, you go with some other media players available. But switching the media player too doesn’t work, then you may need to contact the customer care available near you. 

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