Windows Media Player won't change "Unknown Artist"

limp · 17 Mar 2010

When Windows Media Player can't read a song's meta data correctly, it lists it under "Unknown Artist." When I right click the generic album picture and select "Find album info," a new window appears where I can enter the artist's correct name. However, changing the name from Unknown Artist to the correct name accomplishes nothing. The change is not saved, and WMP continues to list the album under Unknown Artist.

I have tried dragging the song to a correctly named album, but that doesn't work. The song won't drag.

Does anyone know what's wrong, or how to fix it? I need to be able to change the Unknown Artist designation to the correct name of the artist.

FZ21Z · 17 Mar 2010

Have you tried rescanning your library?

Zomby88 · 17 Mar 2010

Just edit the album info yourself, don`t let it search.

hybridfan · 18 Mar 2010

Use Mp3 Tag, and do it yourself.

Mp3tag - the universal Tag Editor (ID3v2, MP4, OGG, FLAC, ...)

I use it all the time and IMO is by far the best tag editor and it's free too which is always nice

1Bowtie · 19 Mar 2010

Just use Windows Explorer, where your music is stored, open the tree, find the album, open it highlite the song, rt click, properties, details tab and there you can change any and all data, do apply, ok your done. you can cut, paste where ever you want to put it

hvnsent3030 · 19 Mar 2010

hate to say it, cause i used windows media player for YEARS... but, I've downloaded Real Player SP (for Free) and LOVE IT ! It recognizes the artist right away, and setting up your library IS as easy as draggin n droppin. The sound is better and clearer as well.

noobvious · 19 Mar 2010

hybridfan said:

Use Mp3 Tag, and do it yourself.

Mp3tag - the universal Tag Editor (ID3v2, MP4, OGG, FLAC, ...)

I use it all the time and IMO is by far the best tag editor and it's free too which is always nice

+1 on this.....an excellent program!

noobvious · 19 Mar 2010

hvnsent3030 said:

hate to say it, cause i used windows media player for YEARS... but, I've downloaded Real Player SP (for Free) and LOVE IT ! It recognizes the artist right away, and setting up your library IS as easy as draggin n droppin. The sound is better and clearer as well.

I have to call shenanigans on this.....a different program should make no difference on the sound of the same file, unless you're using different EQ settings. I've played the same tunes on WMP12, Mediamonkey, and VLC, and not heard a difference.

1Bowtie · 19 Mar 2010

noob said:

hvnsent3030 said:

hate to say it, cause i used windows media player for YEARS... but, I've downloaded Real Player SP (for Free) and LOVE IT ! It recognizes the artist right away, and setting up your library IS as easy as draggin n droppin. The sound is better and clearer as well.

I have to call shenanigans on this.....a different program should make no difference on the sound of the same file, unless you're using different EQ settings. I've played the same tunes on WMP12, Mediamonkey, and VLC, and not heard a difference.

+1 Noob the sound card didn't change, bit rate didn't change, speakers didn't change so it ought to sound the same

hybridfan · 20 Mar 2010

1Bowtie said:

noob said:

hvnsent3030 said:

hate to say it, cause i used windows media player for YEARS... but, I've downloaded Real Player SP (for Free) and LOVE IT ! It recognizes the artist right away, and setting up your library IS as easy as draggin n droppin. The sound is better and clearer as well.

I have to call shenanigans on this.....a different program should make no difference on the sound of the same file, unless you're using different EQ settings. I've played the same tunes on WMP12, Mediamonkey, and VLC, and not heard a difference.

+1 Noob the sound card didn't change, bit rate didn't change, speakers didn't change so it ought to sound the same

Or the player could be using a different sound output, not sure what Media Player uses but I use Foobar2000 with this output, I can def hear a improvement over Media Player.

Foobar2000:Components 0.9/WASAPI output support (foo out wasapi) - Hydrogenaudio Knowledgebase