Article ID: 221831 - Last Review: January 24, 2007 - Revision: 3.5

Err Msg: Unable to Download the Appropriate Decompressor

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This article was previously published under Q221831
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SYMPTOMS

When you try to use Windows Media Player to play media files, you may receive one of the following error messages:
Unable to download the appropriate decompressor. Error: 80040200
-or-
Cannot play back the video stream: no suitable decompressor could be found Error=80040255
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CAUSE

This issue may occur because you have not installed the correct codec when you try to play back a file in Windows Media Player.
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RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, contact the content creator or contact the manufacturer to download the correct third-party codec.
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MORE INFORMATION

The third-party products that are discussed in this article are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.
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APPLIES TO
  • Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition
  • Microsoft Windows 98 Standard Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Media Player 9 Series for Windows XP
  • Microsoft Windows Media Player 9 Series
  • Microsoft Windows Media Player 8.01
  • Microsoft Windows Media Player 7.1
  • Microsoft Windows Media Player 7.0
  • Microsoft Windows Media Player 6.4
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Keywords: 
kb3rdparty kberrmsg kbprb KB221831
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