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

Anonymous
2009-12-24T02:35:18+00:00

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.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Music, photos, and video

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  1. 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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  2. Anonymous
    2012-06-29T19:07:04+00:00

    joema2: please repost this by creating a new question in this forum. This thread is getting way too long to be useful. Thanks.

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-06-26T19:19:04+00:00

    The regsvr32 commands do not always solve the problem.

    This problem is intermittent and sporadic. Many people are running the regsvr32 commands and simply beleving it was fixed because it doesn't happen for a while, then they don't come back and post it reoccurred.

    I have run the regsvr commands many times and it doesn't solve the problem for me.

    Problem intermittently happens when you play several media files in succession using WMP. I most commonly see it on AVCHD video files with the .mts suffix.

    Config details:

    WMP 12.0.7601.17514

    Windows 7 Home Edition SP1 64-bit

    Motherboard: EVGA P55 FTW (A72 BIOS)

    CPU: quad-core Intel i7-860 @ 3.8Ghz, hyperthreading on, RAM: 8GB DDR3

    System disk: 300GB Velociraptor, 10k rpm SATA

    Data disk: 2 x 1.5TB Barracuda, 7200 rpm SATA, RAID 0

    Video: EVGA nVidia GeForce GTX-275 896MB, driver ver. 295.73.

    Browsers: Chrome 19.0.1084.56 m, IE 9.0.8112.16421 (32 & 64-bit), FireFox 13.0.1.

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  4. Anonymous
    2012-03-22T14:20:33+00:00

    Thanks Man. It helped. WMP Works Fine......

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  5. Anonymous
    2012-03-18T05:40:41+00:00

    Thank you Tim.

    I had the same issue where WMP stopped working. I was following the tread and tried all the suggestions. Nothing worked. Then I tried your suggestion.

    It is working now.

    Thank you again

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