How to Fix a Corrupted Windows Media Player Library

If you’re experiencing issues with a corrupted Windows Media Player (WMP) library, don’t worry – there are several ways to fix the problem. In this article, we’ll guide you through the steps to repair your WMP database and get your media library back in working order.

Symptoms of a Corrupted WMP Database

You may have a corrupted WMP database if you encounter any of the following issues:

• You can’t view, add, or delete items in your WMP library.
• WMP encounters errors while playing certain files.
• You receive a “Media library is corrupted” message when using WMP.

These problems arise when the WMP database or the data stored within it becomes damaged or inaccessible.

Rebuilding the WMP Database

One of the most effective ways to fix a corrupted WMP database is to rebuild it from scratch. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open the Run wizard by pressing Windows R keys, type %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Media Player, and hit OK.
2. Select all files within the folder and use Shift Delete keys to permanently delete them.
3. Launch Windows Media Player – it will automatically rebuild the database.

If you’re unable to remove the WMP Library database due to an error message like “The current database could not be removed since it was opened in the Windows Media Network Sharing Service,” follow these additional steps:

1. Use Windows R keys to access the Run window, type services.msc, and hit OK.
2. Locate Windows Media Network Sharing Service, right-click on it, and choose Stop to end the network sharing service.
3. Repeat step 1 from the previous section to delete the files in the Media Player folder.

Clearing the WMP Database Cache

If rebuilding the database doesn’t resolve the issue, you can try clearing the WMP database cache files:

1. Open the Run wizard (Windows R), type %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft, and click OK.
2. Select the Media Player folder, right-click, and choose Delete.
3. Restart Windows Media Player – it will rebuild the database.

Keep in mind that clearing the cache will remove any custom settings or metadata you’ve added to your media files within WMP.

Using System Restore

If the above methods don’t work, you can try using System Restore to revert your system to a previous state before the database corruption occurred:

1. Open the Run wizard (Windows R), type rstrui, and click OK.
2. Follow the System Restore wizard to select a restore point and complete the process.

System Restore can help repair the Windows environment by returning to files and settings stored in a previous restore point.

In conclusion, a corrupted WMP database can be frustrating, but with the right steps, you can get your media library back up and running. By rebuilding the database, clearing the cache, or using System Restore, you can resolve most issues related to a damaged WMP database.