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Windows Media Player error: Media player cannot play the file. The Player might not support the file type or might not support the codec that was used to compress the file.

Applies To:

I am currently using Media Player 11.0.6002.18111. The music that I'm attempting to play was ripped from CDs that I own several months ago. At the time that I ripped the muic and since that time I have been able to play these songs with no problems. At some point within the last few months I've started to notice several songs that are now producing this error message. It's not happening with every song that I ripped but is occuring with every song within the same CD. Suggestions??

- Child exploitation or abuse
- Harassment or threats
- Inappropriate/Adult content
- Nudity
- Profanity
- Software piracy
- SPAM/Advertising
- Virus/Spyware/Malware danger
- Other Term of Use or Code of Conduct violation

3 People had
this question

ShannonGibbs

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Answer

Hi,

Do these to clear corruption and repair/replace damaged/missing system files.

Run DiskCleanup - Start - All Programs - Accessories - System Tools - Disk Cleanup

Start - type in Search box - COMMAND find at top of list - RIGHT CLICK - RUN AS ADMIN

sfc /scannow

How to analyze the log file entries that the Microsoft Windows Resource Checker (SFC.exe) program
generates in Windows Vista cbs.log
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/928228

Then run checkdisk - schedule it to run at next start and then Apply OK your way out then restart.

How to Run Check Disk at Startup in Vista
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/67612-check-disk-chkdsk.html

=========================================

You also probably needed updated codec :

32 bit Vista?

Use CCCP, also download their free insurgent tool - and FFDSHOW.

CCCP codec and get the insurgent tool - free
http://cccp-project.net/

FFDSHOW - free
http://sourceforge.net/projects/ffdshow/

OR

64 bit Vista?

Read this 1st and either go that route or use the one below.

http://www.vistax64.com/sound-audio/152850-vista-codec-pack-32bit-64bit-media-player-codecs.html

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Or try these : Download - SAVE - go to where your put them RIGHT CLICK - RUN AS ADMIN.

For 64 bit use these :

K-Lite Codec Pack (64-bit) 2.6.0
http://www.codecguide.com/

-------------------------------------------------------------
You need to know which you are using 32 or 64 WMP

Switch, Change or Set 64-Bit Windows Media Player 11 (WMP11) in Windows Vista x64 as Default
http://www.mydigitallife.info/2007/01/19/switch-change-or-set-64-bit-windows-media-player-11-wmp11-in-windows-vista-x64-as-default/

-------------------------------------------------------------

And you can use this when needed as no codec is usually required.

VideoLAN - VLC media player
http://www.videolan.org/

Hope this helps.

Rob - Bicycle - Mark Twain said it right.

- Child exploitation or abuse
- Harassment or threats
- Inappropriate/Adult content
- Nudity
- Profanity
- Software piracy
- SPAM/Advertising
- Virus/Spyware/Malware danger
- Other Term of Use or Code of Conduct violation

SpiritX MS MVP

Community Moderator

MVP
Community Star

Rob Brown - Microsoft MVP - Windows Expert - Consumer : Bicycle - Mark Twain said it right.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for the suggestions! I had already run sfc /scannow so I started with running chkdsk. Unfortunately none of these suggestions were able to solve my problem.

I should mention that I'm running 32 bit Vista home premium and that my music is on an external hard drive.

Wow - this is really getting frustrating! Additional suggestions??

- Child exploitation or abuse
- Harassment or threats
- Inappropriate/Adult content
- Nudity
- Profanity
- Software piracy
- SPAM/Advertising
- Virus/Spyware/Malware danger
- Other Term of Use or Code of Conduct violation

ShannonGibbs

Was this helpful?

Did you install the new codec?

Use CCCP, also download their free insurgent tool - and FFDSHOW.

CCCP codec and get the insurgent tool - free
http://cccp-project.net/

FFDSHOW - free
http://sourceforge.net/projects/ffdshow/

Does VLC play them properly?

Rob - Bicycle - Mark Twain said it right.

- Child exploitation or abuse
- Harassment or threats
- Inappropriate/Adult content
- Nudity
- Profanity
- Software piracy
- SPAM/Advertising
- Virus/Spyware/Malware danger
- Other Term of Use or Code of Conduct violation

SpiritX MS MVP

Community Moderator

MVP
Community Star

Rob Brown - Microsoft MVP - Windows Expert - Consumer : Bicycle - Mark Twain said it right.

Was this helpful?

Yes I did install the new codec - CCCP and FFDSHOW as you had originally suggested and neither seemed to make a difference, the files still would not play. I had not instaled VLC but did last night. VLC is able to play the files.

- Child exploitation or abuse
- Harassment or threats
- Inappropriate/Adult content
- Nudity
- Profanity
- Software piracy
- SPAM/Advertising
- Virus/Spyware/Malware danger
- Other Term of Use or Code of Conduct violation

ShannonGibbs

Was this helpful?

What are the file extensions of the ones that will not play?

Right Click TaskBar - Task Manager - Processes tab - make sure a version of wmplayer.exe is not already
running when you try to play those files - then try.

Run SFC /scannow again just in case installing the codec kicks it off properly.

Rob - Bicycle - Mark Twain said it right.

- Child exploitation or abuse
- Harassment or threats
- Inappropriate/Adult content
- Nudity
- Profanity
- Software piracy
- SPAM/Advertising
- Virus/Spyware/Malware danger
- Other Term of Use or Code of Conduct violation

SpiritX MS MVP

Community Moderator

MVP
Community Star

Rob Brown - Microsoft MVP - Windows Expert - Consumer : Bicycle - Mark Twain said it right.

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Windows Media Player error: Media player cannot play the file. The Player might not support the file type or might not support the codec that was used to compress the file.

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