Server execution failed? WMP

Whenever I try to play a .mp3 or .avi or anything of the sort with Windows Media Player, it hangs for about 15 seconds, then says "Server execution failed." Any fix for this OTHER than a clean install?

That worked thank you Jacee.

I have the exact same problem, which occurred after I had an unrelated hardware issue. Unfortunately your fix did not work for me. I've also tried disabling both WMP and Media Centre in the Windows Features and then re-enabling both, with no luck. Any ideas? It's the only thing not working on my Win 7 install, and for me to reformat/reinstall my apps will take at least 12 hours. Not fun!

Thank u Jacee
that worked for me too

Jacee said:

See if this works for you ... go into services, scroll down to Windows Media Player Network Sharing, click 'restart'.

Then, restart your computer.

Thank you Jacee..it worked for me..

That did not work for mine either. WMP has rendered itself useless for video. MP3 works fine. Not all video formats bring up server error some just try to open until
I close the player. Thanks for any help.

I had this issue several months ago and removing WMP and reinstalling fixed it. Now the issue is back and I'd rather find out what's causing it instead of just reinstalling.

It may be unrelated but it seems like every time I try to play a media file and get the server execution error that my PC hangs on the next restart or shut down on the logging off screen. If I try restarting or logging off right after starting up it's fine but some program or service associated to WMP seems to make the log off get stuck if I have used it since the last restart.

I recently run into the problem "server execution failed" with my WMP. it started rt after i downloaded DFX sound enhencer from a torrent site. My avast 5.0 did npt pick up any danger though. i hv tried SERVICE> RESTART solution and turning on/off windows features nothing worked.

Can i use my system repair disk, i actually don't know what will happen? plz help.