How to fix error code on Media Player?

Fezeka Shezi 0 Reputation points
2026-06-15T11:19:36.6766667+00:00

Hi, ive been trying to watch a video on media player but it will not play i keep getting an error code of 0x80004005 all the time i have been trying for 2 days now and nothing has changed.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Music, photos, and video
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  1. AI answer

    2026-06-15T11:20:06.4766667+00:00

    Error code 0x80004005 in Windows Media Player is commonly associated with missing, outdated, or incompatible codecs needed to play the video.

    Try these steps:

    1. Enable automatic codec download in Windows Media Player
      1. Open Windows Media Player.
      2. On the Tools menu, select Options.
      3. Go to the Player tab.
      4. Select Download codecs automatically and select OK.
      5. Try playing the video again. If prompted to install a codec, select Install.
    2. Check which codec the file needs
      1. In Windows Media Player, start to play the file (or select it in the Now Playing list).
      2. In the Now Playing area, right‑click the file and select Properties.
      3. On the File tab, note the Audio codec and Video codec entries.
      4. On the Help menu, select About Windows Media Player, then select Technical Support Information.
      5. In the browser page that opens, scroll to Audio Codecs and Video Codecs and check whether the codec from step 3 is listed.
      6. If the codec is missing or shows problems, reinstall or update that codec if possible, then try the file again.
    3. Use Web Help to locate the codec
      1. Try playing the file again.
      2. When the error appears, select Web Help.
      3. On the Microsoft web page, follow the link to the Wmplugins site.
      4. Follow the instructions there to download and install the required codec.
    4. Install a codec pack (Windows 10/11) If the error appears only with certain file types, install or update a codec pack that includes the needed codecs:
      1. Check the file’s codec: right‑click the media file in File Explorer → Properties → Details tab.
      2. Install a reputable codec pack such as K‑Lite Codec Pack or Combined Community Codec Pack (CCCP) that supports that codec.
      3. Try playing the file again in Windows Media Player.
    5. If only one specific file fails If other files of the same type play correctly, the file may be corrupted or use a codec that Windows Media Player does not support. In that case, a third‑party codec or player that supports that format may be required.

    If none of the above works for any video file, there may be a broader playback issue (for example, DirectX or display driver problems), and updating display drivers or DirectX may be necessary.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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  2. Vikki-T 10,285 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-06-16T07:22:50.7266667+00:00

    Hi Fezeka Shezi,

    I understand how frustrating it can be when a video still will not play after you have been trying for a couple of days.

    Could you please confirm a few details?

    • Which version of Windows are you using?
    • What is the video file type, for example MP4, AVI, MOV, MKV, or another format?
    • Does this happen with only one video, or with every video you try to play?
    • Is the video saved locally on the PC, on a USB/external drive, in OneDrive, or downloaded from an email/website?
    • Does the same file play in another media app?

    In the meantime, please try these checks:

    • Test with another video file: Try opening a different video, preferably one that you know worked before.
    • Copy the video to a local folder: If the file is on a USB drive, external drive, OneDrive, email attachment, or network location, copy it to a local folder such as Videos or Desktop first, then try playing it again.
    • Update Windows: Go to Settings > Windows Update and install any pending updates. After restarting, test the video again.
    • Repair or reset Media Player: If you are on Windows 10/11, go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps, find Media Player or Windows Media Player if listed, open Advanced options, then try Repair first. If that does not help, try Reset.
    • Clear the Windows Media Player database: Close Windows Media Player, then press Windows + R, type: %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Media Player\Delete the files inside that folder, but do not delete the folder itself. Then reopen Windows Media Player and try again.
    • Run the Windows Media Player troubleshooter: Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters, then check if Windows Media Player is listed and run it.
    • Check Media Features: Open Control Panel > Programs > Turn Windows features on or off. Make sure Media Features is enabled. If it is already enabled, you can turn it off, restart the PC, turn it back on, and restart again.

    While my initial response may not fully resolve the issue, I truly appreciate your cooperation as we work together toward identifying the most effective solution. Thank you so much for your understanding. 

    Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.  

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