Windows Media Player - Intermittent error when trying to play media file-Server Execution Failed

Anonymous

Windows Media Player - Server Execution Failed

I'm currently running Windows 7 Ultimate, 64-bit version.

Just recently started receiving this error about 2 weeks ago. The first media file I open with WMP works fine. All subsequent media files, regardless of type, hangs for about a minute and a half then pops up an error.

Nice error box with a red X stop sign and then:

C:/path to the file I tried to run/name.extension of said file

"server execution failed"

Task manager shows WMP running in background, stopping the process does not help. Restarting explorer does not help either. Full shutdown/restart just restarts the cycle. First file works, then the rest don't. No time issues either, I can launch it, play songs all day, change songs at random, etc.. If I close it, then try to restart, I get the error. Does not matter how long I wait between closing and restarting. Does not matter what file is opened.

This error is in the event log at times corresponding to my "server execution errors"

The server {ED1D0FDF-4414-470A-A56D-CFB68623FC58} did not register with DCOM within the required timeout.

Also tried:

Control Panel, Programs, Turn Windows Features On/Off and disabled WMC and WMP.

Rebooted.

Went back, re-enabled both programs.

Rebooted.

Worked for about 10 minutes, then started back with the same error.

I have also tried all of the suggestions available here: http://www.thewindowsclub.com/troubleshooting-windows-media-player-in-windows-7 with no result.

I've ran 7 since the beta was first available and had zero issues with this. I did a clean install of the retail version when it released, and had no issues until now. I have not installed anything other than Windows Updates. Computer is clean, I've ran multiple malware/spyware scans and antivirus scans.

I've also tried the system file checker (SFC), which found nothing.

It's also interesting to note, Windows Media Player Classic works flawlessly.

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131 answers

Anonymous

2015-10-02T17:19:34+00:00

Thanks Tim, that did the trick!
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Anonymous

2015-03-16T01:07:54+00:00

Funny thing, it's still happening in W7 in 2015! Apparently, MS has never fixed this issue. It still happens sporadically. And at least in my case, restarting the Windows Explorer temporary fixes the problem. To restart the Explorer, you can use these commands (put them in batch file):

taskkill /IM explorer.exe /F

explorer
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Anonymous

2013-12-19T14:26:36+00:00

Your last suggestion, adding Local Service to the admin group, also does not work. Same server exection issue, same DCOM error in the event log.

Winamp and Windows Media Classic still work fine.....

Looks very much like Microsoft broke something in one of the last Media Center "updates".

Any other ideas?

I agree that it looks like an update broke something. I have the same problem and just before it happened I had a "Windows Module Installer" update.

Any way of getting an update to fix it?!
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Anonymous

2013-09-12T10:01:39+00:00

Tim - thanks so much for those codes they worked a treat. It was really doing my head in too. You would think Microsoft would have helped with that..
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Anonymous

2013-08-23T02:08:22+00:00

I finally gave up! Downloaded the free VLC player from their web site, just search for it. Works beautiful! Download it and save to your documents. Click it to install. Works for me! http://www.vlcapp.com/download-vlc
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