Install the codec by following these steps: If you can play the file, skip steps 2 and 3. If you can't reinstall the codec, go to step 2. If you are trying to play a video file, determine whether the video codec or the audio codec that you noted in step 1b is listed in the Video Codecs area. If you're trying to play an audio file, determine whether the audio codec that you noted in step 1b is listed in the Audio Codecs area.Select the Technical Support Information hyperlink.On the Help menu, select About Windows Media Player.If the following conditions are true, go to step 2. Select the File tab, note the codecs that are specified in the Audio codec and the Video codec areas, and then select OK.In the Now Playing area, right-click the file that you try to play, and then select Properties.Obtain and install the codec by following these steps in Windows Media Player 11:ĭetermine whether the codec is installed on the computer that you are using to play the file. The following steps are intended for advanced computer users.
If you aren't comfortable with advanced troubleshooting, ask someone for help, or contact Microsoft Support. If you still can't play the file correctly, try the steps in the Advanced troubleshooting section. If you're prompted to install the codec, select Install. Select the Player tab, select the Download codecs automatically check box, and then select OK.To do so, follow these steps in Windows Media Player 11: To resolve this problem, configure Windows Media Player to download codecs automatically. This problem occurs if a codec that's required to play the file isn't installed on the computer. To determine if this codec is available to download from the Web, click Web Help. Windows Media Player cannot play, burn, rip, or sync the file because a required audio codec is not installed on your computer.Ī codec is required to play this file. Windows Media Player cannot play the file because the required video codec is not installed on your computer. However, the audio plays.Īdditionally, when you try to play an audio file or a video file in Windows Media Player 11, you may receive an error message that resembles one of the following error messages: When you try to play a video file in Windows Media Player 11, the video doesn't play. This article provides a solution to an issue where the video doesn't play when you play it in Windows Media Player 11.Īpplies to: Windows Media Player 11 Original KB number: 926373 Symptoms