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Glam Journal

How do I download codecs for Windows Media Player?

Author

Matthew Perez

Updated on March 12, 2026

How do I download codecs for Windows Media Player?

In this article

  1. Introduction.
  2. 1Double-click a video or audio file.
  3. 2Click the Web Help button.
  4. 3Click the WMPlugins link.
  5. 4Click the link to the codec download site.
  6. 5Click I Accept.
  7. 6Click the link to download the codec.
  8. 7When the download is done, click the Run button.

How do I fix missing codecs?

All you have to do is try any of them till you get the one that works for you:

  1. Install Missing Codec:
  2. Update Display Drivers.
  3. Uninstall and Install Display Driver Again.
  4. Uninstall Audio Drivers.
  5. Update Windows OS.
  6. Play AVI Videos with VLC.
  7. Correct System Registries.

How do I find missing codecs for Windows Media Player?

How to fix missing codecs error in Windows Media Player?

  1. Check if Media Player is enabled. Open Control Panel > choose View by Large Icons.
  2. Enable the Download codecs automatically setting. In the Tools menu > choose Options.
  3. Install K-Lite Codec Pack.
  4. Try using professional media player software.

What codecs does Windows Media Player support?

Because Windows Media Player is well equipped with and all major audio and video formats – including 3GP, AAC, AVCHD, MPEG-4, WMV and WMA and AVI, DivX, mov, and XviD files, this error message generally does not appear.

Why won’t Windows Media Player play my videos?

Windows Media Player cannot play the file because the required video codec is not installed on your computer. Windows Media Player cannot play, burn, rip, or sync the file because a required audio codec is not installed on your computer. To determine if this codec is available to download from the Web, click Web Help.

Does VLC install codecs?

VLC packs all media codecs into the software so you don’t have to individually update a codec when an update is available. The VLC software handles the updating process for you, downloading and installing the codec for use with your media files.

What does missing codec mean?

What does missing codec mean? This issue usually appears if a codec that is required to play certain files is not installed on the PC.

How do I get around codecs?

How can I fix To play this video you need a new codec error?

  1. Select the Download codecs automatically option.
  2. Play the video with an alternative media player.
  3. Install the Required Codec via VideoInspector.
  4. Add the K-Lite Codec Pack to Windows.

How do I update codecs?

The VLC software handles the updating process for you, downloading and installing the codec for use with your media files.

  1. Go to “Start” and click “All Programs.” Click “VideoLAN” then “VLC Media Player.”
  2. Click “Help” and “Check for Updates.”
  3. Click “Yes” to download the current VLC player and codec updates.

Why is my Windows Media Player not working?

If Windows Media Player stopped working correctly after the latest updates from Windows Update, verify that the updates are the problem by using System Restore. Select the Start button, and then type system restore. Select Create a restore point, and then in the System Properties pane, select System Restore.

Will Windows 11 have Windows Media Player?

Microsoft has released a new Media Player app for Windows 11 and it’s available for Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel to try out today, bringing music and video content together.