Has your Windows Media Player in your Windows 10 stopped working or does it not play MP4 and DVD files anymore? Well, these are some of the common issues of the Windows Media Player reported by many Windows 10 users. However, the good news is, there are a couple of fixes to resolve this type of issue. Let’s see how.
Method 1: Using Services
Step 1: Desktop > click Start button > search box > type Services > click on the result.
Step 2: Services window > right side of the pane > under Name > scroll down > double – click on Windows Media Player Network Sharing Services.
Step 3: Next window > General tab > Startup type > Automatic> Apply > OK.
Step 4 – Click on Start to Start the service.
This should resolve the Windows Media Player issue and it should play videos normally now.
Method 2: Using Troubleshooter
Step 1: Click on the Start button > search box > type Control Panel > click on the result.
Step 2: Control Panel > View by Large icons > click on Troubleshooting.
Step 3: Troubleshooting window> on the left side of the panel click on View all.
Step 4: Next > scroll down > click on the Windows Media Player Library.
Step 5: Next window > click Next.
Step 6: Wait till it detects and finds any problems with the Windows Media Player.
Step 7: If any problem detected > two options > Apply this fix and Skip this fix > click on Apply this fix.
Step 8: Troubleshoots the error > displays the error found.
This should solve your problem. However, if the problem persists, try Method 2.
Method 3: Using Features
Step 1: Search OptionalFeatures in Windows search box.
Step 2 : Click on OptionalFeatures from the search result.
Step 3: Next, scroll down > click on the (+) symbol next to Media Features to expand > uncheck Windows Media Player > Yes.
Step 4: Restart your computer
Now, When the computer starts again,Turn it back on again.
repeat Step 1 to Step 3 as above. Turn Windows features on or off window > Media Features > check Windows Media Player > click Yes to confirm.
Your Windows Media Player should play videos now, if the problem persists, follow Method 3.
Method 4: Using Codec Pack
Step 1: Open Google.com > search for media player codec pack > click on the 1st result.
Step 2: On the web page > click on Download > wait for the download to complete.
Step 3: Double-click on the Setup file to install the media player codec pack.
Now, simply follow the instructions to set up the media codec player pack. Restart your computer and your Windows Media Player should be working fine now.
The first one worked tysm
This was incredibly helpful. I used Method 2 and it fixed the problem immediately. Thank you so much.
Method 1 worked perfectly. Thank you. I had tried the recommendations on several other sites. None of them worked until I came across this link with its clear, step by step instructions. Thank you again.
Thanks, it helped 🙂 you saved my life. lololo.
much love
Thank you
After clicking to disable and restarting my laptop, going back to enable I get the message saying files can’t be found so I now have a disabled Media Player. This has happened on 3 laptops now and Windows Media Player wasn’t playing on either of them, is there a bigger issue with Windows Media Player?
still not fix the problem. probably need to delete some other apps that might be conflicted with.
Thank you!
Not working on Windows7 🙁
Thanks. This simple explanation worked. I can now see all of my files in the Player.
Thank you! It worked for me.
after the latest update could no longer enable “allow remote control of my player”. The fix was to use the media streaming option window and remove unknown devices. ( probably our two android cell phones ) Still can’t enable the option but can now see “myStuff” presented on the Samsung TV.
Thanks so much for this advice. Clear and well set-out. It did the trick! Best wishes Linda
Thanks, after clicking that ‘re-make library’ option it seems to finally download all the info back into windows media player (stuff like changing location didnt work)