How to Fix Corrupted Windows Media Player Database in Windows 10

If you’re experiencing issues with your Windows Media Player, such as being unable to view, add, or delete items in the library, it’s possible that the database has become corrupted. This can happen due to various reasons, including system crashes, power outages, or even malware infections. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to fix a corrupted Windows Media Player database in Windows 10.

Method 1: Rebuild the Windows Media Player Database

One of the easiest ways to fix a corrupted Windows Media Player database is to rebuild it. Here’s how to do it:

1. Press the Windows key R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Media Player and press Enter.
3. Select all the files in the folder and press Delete on the File menu.
4. Restart Windows Media Player.

Windows Media Player will automatically rebuild the database, which should resolve the issue if the database was corrupted in a way that Windows Media Player could recover from.

Method 2: Clear the Windows Media Player Database Cache Files

If rebuilding the database doesn’t work, you can try clearing the Windows Media Player database cache files. Here’s how:

1. Press the Windows key R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft and press Enter.
3. Select the Media Player folder and press Delete on the File menu.
4. Restart Windows Media Player.

This will clear the cache files and may help resolve the issue if the database was corrupted in a way that Windows Media Player couldn’t recover from.

Method 3: Stop and Restart the Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service

Another method to fix a corrupted Windows Media Player database is to stop and restart the Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service. Here’s how:

1. Press the Windows key, type “services” in the search box, and press Enter.
2. Locate the “Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service” in the list, right-click on it, and select “Stop”.
3. Once the service has stopped, right-click on it again and select “Start”.

This will restart the service and may help resolve the issue if the database was corrupted in a way that Windows Media Player couldn’t recover from.

Method 4: Run a Clean Boot

If none of the above methods work, you can try running a clean boot to eliminate any potential conflicts with other programs or services. Here’s how:

1. Press the Windows key R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “msconfig” and press Enter.
3. In the System Configuration window, go to the General tab and select “Selective startup”.
4. Uncheck the “Load startup items” option and check the “Load system services” option.
5. Go to the Services tab, check the “Hide all Microsoft services” option, and click “Disable all”.
6. Click “Apply” and then “OK”.
7. Restart your computer.

After the clean boot, try opening Windows Media Player and see if the issue has been resolved. If it has, you can gradually re-enable the disabled services and startup items to identify the culprit.

If none of the above methods work, you may need to consider more advanced troubleshooting steps, such as using a system restore point or reinstalling Windows Media Player. However, these methods should cover most cases of a corrupted Windows Media Player database in Windows 10.