Codecs allow you to play different formats of audio and video files. Media Player supports a wide variety of codecs. Most are included out of the box; some additional codecs can be installed from the Microsoft Store.

To play the file, you must encode the file again by using the original source in a supported format, such as the .wmv format. To do this, you can use the Windows Media Encoder. For additional information, visit the following Microsoft Web site, and then click Windows Media Encoder in the Select Download list:

To troubleshoot local playback in most scenarios, try to identify the difference between the files that play correctly and the files that do not. If you can play some file types, but you cannot other file types, a codec may be damaged. To test playback, use a file that you know is good.

Check the file compatibility: Ensure that the media file you are trying to play is compatible with Windows Media Player. Note: Commonly supported formats include MP3, WAV, WMA, AVI, and WMV. Check for outdated or corrupted codecs: You may have a missing or outdated codec.

Additionally, you can stream audio and video content with Windows Media Services, or you can package that content with Windows Media Rights Manager. ASF is an extensible file format that stores synchronized multimedia data.

If you use Windows XP with Windows Media Player 7.1, Windows Media Player 7, or Windows Media Player 6.4. In some cases, the error message includes the codec identifier, known as the FourCC identifier. You can use the FourCC identifier to find the manufacturer that created the codec.

Windows Media Player supports the following file formats: Note MPEG 2 requires third-party software or hardware decoders. Note DVD playback requires third-party software or hardware decoders and is supported only in Windows XP. Note Intel Video File support requires the Intel Video 5.x codec.

When you try to stream audio or video from Microsoft Windows Media Services, you may receive an error message that resembles the following in Microsoft Windows Media Player: The specified protocol is not supported.

Method 1: Verify That Windows Media Player Supports the File Format You Are Using. Windows Media Player supports the file formats in the following list: Windows Media formats File name extensions: .asf, .asx, .avi, .wav, .wax, .wma, .wm, .wmv Note Windows Media Player versions 6.4 and later support .wmv files.

Windows Media Player includes some of the most popular codecs, like MP3, Windows Media Audio, and Windows Media Video. However, it doesn't include the codecs required for Blu‑ray Disc files, FLAC files, or FLV files.