How to Troubleshoot Windows Media Player

Windows Media Player has been included in versions of Microsoft Windows for over a decade, and it continues to be featured to this very day. While this is not the most spectacular media player in terms of features, many users continue to use it because it is readily available on all computers. If you are one of Windows Media Player's regular users, you might want to know how to troubleshoot some of the most common problems this software is known to exhibit. Here is some of the best advice on how to troubleshoot Windows Media Player:

Windows Media Player is Missing

If you cannot seem to find the Windows Media Player (WMP) on your computer, then it might have been removed from the operating system. To turn it back on, go to the 'Start Menu' and find 'applications & Features.' Once there, navigate to 'Manage optional features' and select 'Add a Feature.' Finally, choose to 'Install' Windows Media Player.

Windows Media Player Does not Launch

If the application fails to start at all, then it is probably best to reinstall it and try to rerun it. To do this, use the same instructions as the ones from the previous guide, but this time select the 'Uninstall' option. After the process is completed, select 'Install' again to fetch a fresh copy of Windows Media Player.

Windows Media Player Crashes Unexpectedly

If you are experiencing frequent Windows Media Player crashes, you might want to try to resolve the problem by using Windows' integrated troubleshooter. To use it, open the 'Control Panel' and then select the 'Troubleshooting' tab. Once there, click on 'View All' from the right panel. This lists all Windows features and components – scroll down until you find the three entries for 'Windows Media Player.' We advise you to troubleshoot all three of these before trying to use the application again.

Update Video & Audio Drivers

Issues with your audio or video drivers also may cause problems with Windows Media Player. To make sure this does not happen, we advise you to apply the latest updates to your audio and video drivers. You can do this by downloading and installing them manually or by using specialized driver updating software.