Fix Windows Media Player Has Stopped Working on Windows 10

If you see “Windows Media Player has stopped working” on Windows 10, the quickest fix is to restart the app, then run the built-in troubleshooter or re-register the program’s DLL files. Most cases are caused by corrupted settings, outdated codecs, or a damaged library file, and you can resolve them in a few minutes without reinstalling Windows.

Why Windows Media Player Crashes on Windows 10

Windows Media Player (WMP) is a legacy component that Microsoft still includes with Windows 10, but it hasn’t been updated significantly since 2009. The most common crash triggers are:

• Corrupted library database – The file CurrentDatabase_372.wmdb can become damaged after a failed update or a sudden power loss, causing the player to crash when it tries to read your media library.
• Missing or incompatible codecs – If you try to play a file encoded with a codec that WMP doesn’t support, the player may stop responding instead of showing an error.
• Outdated graphics drivers – WMP uses hardware acceleration for video rendering; an old or buggy GPU driver can cause a crash during playback.
• Third-party plugins or codec packs – Some codec packs install filters that conflict with WMP’s built-in components.
• Windows updates that broke the app – Occasionally a Windows 10 cumulative update introduces a regression that affects WMP.

Knowing the cause helps you choose the right fix, but you can often try the simplest solutions first.

Quick Fixes to Try First

Before diving into advanced troubleshooting, try these three steps. They resolve a large percentage of crashes.

1. Restart Windows Media Player – Close the app completely (check the system tray for a running icon) and reopen it. This clears temporary glitches.
2. Run the Windows Media Player troubleshooter – Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters, select Windows Media Player, and run it. The troubleshooter will detect and fix common issues like corrupted settings.
3. Reset the media library – If the troubleshooter doesn’t help, close WMP, open File Explorer, and navigate to %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Media Player. Delete all files in that folder (they’re just a cache and library index). The next time you open WMP, it will rebuild the library from scratch.

If the crash persists, move on to the more specific fixes below.

Re-register Windows Media Player DLL Files

Windows Media Player relies on several dynamic link libraries (DLLs) to function. If one of them is unregistered or corrupted, the app will crash on startup or when you play a file. Re-registering them is safe and takes about a minute.

1. Press Windows Key + X and select Windows PowerShell (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin).
2. Type the following command and press Enter:
   regsvr32 wmp.dll
3. Repeat for these files, one at a time:
   regsvr32 wmploc.dll
regsvr32 wmpdxm.dll
regsvr32 wmpshell.dll
4. Restart your computer and try WMP again.

If you get a “module not found” error for any of these, it means the file is missing – you may need to reinstall the Windows Media Player feature (see the next section).

Reinstall Windows Media Player via Optional Features

Windows 10 lets you disable and re-enable Windows Media Player as an optional feature. This process re-registers all its components and often fixes deep corruption.

1. Open Settings > Apps > Apps & features.
2. Click Optional features (or Manage optional features).
3. Scroll down to Windows Media Player and click it, then click Uninstall. (If it’s not listed, it may be under “Add a feature” – search for it there.)
4. After it uninstalls, click Add a feature, search for “Windows Media Player,” select it, and click Install.
5. Restart your PC.

This is a clean reinstall – it doesn’t delete your music or video files, only the app itself. Your library will be rebuilt from your folders.

Disable Hardware Acceleration

If WMP crashes only when playing video (not audio), the graphics driver is likely the culprit. Disabling hardware acceleration forces WMP to use software rendering, which is more stable on older or incompatible GPUs.

1. Open Windows Media Player.
2. Go to Tools > Options (if you don’t see the menu bar, press Alt+T).
3. Click the Performance tab.
4. Under “Video playback,” uncheck Turn on DirectX video acceleration.
5. Click Apply and OK.

If the crash happens before you can open Options, you can temporarily disable hardware acceleration by editing the registry (back it up first) – but that’s more advanced. Most users can reach Options because the crash typically occurs during playback, not on launch.

Update Graphics Drivers and Codecs

Outdated or corrupt graphics drivers are a common cause of video playback crashes. To update:

1. Press Windows Key + X and select Device Manager.
2. Expand Display adapters, right-click your GPU, and select Update driver.
3. Choose Search automatically for drivers. If Windows finds nothing, visit your GPU manufacturer’s website (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel) and download the latest driver for your model.

For codec issues, avoid installing random codec packs – they often do more harm than good. Instead, install the K-Lite Codec Pack (Basic or Standard) if you need to play uncommon formats, but be aware that it can sometimes interfere with WMP. A safer alternative is to use a different player like VLC for those files, leaving WMP for its native formats (WMV, MP3, etc.).

Check for Conflicting Software

Some third-party media players or codec packs install shell extensions that hook into WMP and cause crashes. If the problem started after you installed a new program, try uninstalling it temporarily. Also, disable any WMP plugins:

1. Open WMP and go to Tools > Plug-ins (or Options > Plug-ins).
2. Uncheck any third-party plugins you see.
3. Restart WMP.

If you don’t see any plugins, the conflict might be with a background service. A clean boot (disabling all non-Microsoft startup items) can help isolate the culprit, but that’s a more involved process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Windows Media Player keep crashing on Windows 10?

The most common reasons are corrupted library files, outdated graphics drivers, or a damaged WMP installation. The library file (CurrentDatabase_372.wmdb) often becomes corrupted after a system crash or update, which causes WMP to crash when it tries to read your media collection.

Can I fix Windows Media Player without reinstalling Windows?

Yes, in most cases you can fix it by re-registering DLL files, resetting the library, or reinstalling WMP via Optional Features. These steps don’t affect your personal files or other apps.

Will deleting the Media Player library folder delete my music?

No. The folder %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Media Player only contains cache and library index files, not your actual media. Your music and videos remain untouched on your hard drive.

Why does Windows Media Player crash when I play a specific file?

That usually means the file uses a codec that WMP doesn’t support or that is incompatible with your system. Try playing the file in VLC or another player; if it works there, the issue is WMP’s codec support, not the file itself.

Is Windows Media Player still available on Windows 10?

Yes, Windows Media Player is included as an optional feature in Windows 10. You can enable it via Settings > Apps > Optional Features. Microsoft has not removed it, though it no longer receives feature updates.

What should I do if none of these fixes work?

If you’ve tried all the steps and WMP still crashes, consider using a different media player for your needs. VLC, MPC-HC, or the built-in Movies & TV app can play most formats reliably. You can also run the sfc /scannow command in an elevated Command Prompt to repair system files, but that’s a last resort.

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