Windows Media Player Troubleshooting

Windows Media Player is inarguably one of the most used multi-media devices amongst computer users around the world. Regardless of what version of Windows you may be using, chances are you would have at some time or the other used Windows Media Player to listen to music, watch movies or television or to carry out a variety of video based media tasks.

Microsoft is constantly updating this application in order to ensure that all technical issues are sorted out before they become a major problem. In fact, if you are experiencing any type of issue with Windows Media Player, it can usually be fixed simply by updating your version or upgrading to the latest version.

However, some computer users will encounter issues that can’t be corrected by simply updating or upgrading their software. Some of these common issues are detailed below with common fixes. If you can’t find the fix you are looking for here, you can simply visit the Microsoft website to have your technical problem handled by the professionals.

Audio Stream But No Video Stream In Windows Media Player

Issue: The audio can be heard in streaming media but the video cannot be seen.

Solution: First check for an upgrade and be sure that the video stream that you are watching is capable of being played on Windows Media Player. If the stream is compatible and you have the latest version of the Windows Media Player installed, you may simply need to download new codec’s to allow the video to play without incident.

Specified Protocol Not Supported In Windows Media Player

Issue: The following error appears when attempting to play or stream a file: “Windows Media Player cannot play the file because the specified protocol
is not supported. In the Open URL dialog, try opening the file using a different transport protocol (for example, ‘mms:’ or ‘http:’)”

Solution: The first thing you will want to do is be sure that the media type is selected in your Media Player. You can do this by simply opening Windows Media Player and clicking on the Tool menu. In the drop-down list choose Options and then the File Types tab. When the box opens be sure that the file type “.wmv” is selected as an option.

If this fix does not work, simply remove the program from your computer using the ‘Add/Remove Programs’ area of your Control Panel. Once you have done this you should re-download and reinstall the program.

If this does not work you may need to check your Firewall options to be sure that you are able to stream files of this type on your computer. You may need to view your computers firewall help files in order to complete this step.

Encountering Unknown Errors in Windows Media Player

If you ever encounter issues with Windows Media Player that you cannot find a solution to via Microsoft, then you may simply wish to seek out help from third-party tech support websites that have areas of expertise with this application. Additionally, if you have a fix for an error to Windows Media Player issues you may also be inclined to share your own fixes and discoveries with other users who are experiencing similar problems that you have already found answers to.

Before you do anything else however, make sure you check on the ‘help’ tab of Windows Media Player to find the answers you need.