How to Fix “Windows Media Player Has Stopped Working” Error in Windows 7, 8, and 10

Windows Media Player is a popular media player application that comes pre-installed on Windows operating systems. However, like any software, it can sometimes encounter issues, such as the “Windows Media Player has stopped working” error. This error can occur due to various reasons, including corrupted files, missing codecs, or conflicts with other programs. Fortunately, there are several ways to fix this problem and get your Windows Media Player back up and running.

Method 1: Run Windows Media Player Troubleshooter

One of the easiest ways to fix the “Windows Media Player has stopped working” error is to use the built-in troubleshooter. Here’s how to do it:

1. Press the Windows key R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “msdt.exe -id WindowsMediaPlayerConfigurationDiagnostic” and press Enter.
3. Click on “Next” to run the troubleshooter.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to apply any recommended fixes.

Method 2: Reinstall Windows Media Player

If the troubleshooter doesn’t resolve the issue, you can try reinstalling Windows Media Player. Here’s how:

1. Open the Control Panel and type “windows features” into the search box.
2. Click on “Turn Windows features on or off”.
3. Navigate to “Media Features” and uncheck the box next to “Windows Media Player”.
4. Click “OK” and restart your computer.
5. Open the Control Panel again and navigate to “Turn Windows features on or off”.
6. Check the box next to “Windows Media Player” and click “OK”.
7. Restart your computer once more.

Method 3: Update Codecs

Sometimes, the “Windows Media Player has stopped working” error can occur due to missing or outdated codecs. You can try updating your codecs by downloading a codec pack from a trusted source, such as the K-Lite Codec Pack or the Media Player Codec Pack.

Method 4: Check for Conflicting Programs

If you have recently installed a new program or updated your system, it may be causing conflicts with Windows Media Player. Try closing any programs that may be interfering with Windows Media Player and see if that resolves the issue.

Method 5: Check for Corrupted Files

If none of the above methods work, the issue may be caused by corrupted files in your Windows Media Player library. You can try deleting the library files and letting Windows Media Player rebuild them:

1. Press the Windows key R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “services.msc” and press Enter.
3. Find “Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service” in the list, right-click on it, and select “Stop”.
4. Press the Windows key E to open File Explorer.
5. Navigate to C:\Users\Default\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Media Player.
6. Delete all files with the .wmdb extension.
7. Restart your computer and try opening Windows Media Player again.

In conclusion, the “Windows Media Player has stopped working” error can be frustrating, but there are several ways to fix it. By running the troubleshooter, reinstalling Windows Media Player, updating codecs, checking for conflicting programs, and deleting corrupted files, you should be able to resolve the issue and get your media player back up and running.