Solved Unable to open Windows Media Player

[michaelking]

Unable to open windows media player. When attempting to open windows media player 12 from the programs menu, I receive the following error message:

"C:\\Windows\System32\wmploc.dll is either not designed to run on Windows or it contains an error. Try installing the program again using the original media or contact your system administrator or the software vendor for support."

The above message is followed by the following message:

"Windows Media Player is not installed properly and must be reinstalled. Do you want to install the player from the microsoft website?"

When attempting to open a media file, I receive the following:

"Windows Media Player is not installed properly and must be reinstalled. Do you want to install the player from the microsoft website?"

followed by another message stating:

"Filename-Server execution failed."

However, if I locate the windows media player folder, I can open the program directly from there without any problem whatsoever. I am also able to load media without a problem.

I have tried the following:

-Uninstalling and reinstalling wmp via the windows features
-using sfc scan
-Using the Cmd Prompt to enter the following:
unregmp2.exe /UpdateWMPVersion

None of the above have helped.

OS=Windows 7 64 Bit Version.

 

[Kirsch]

Delete whatever shortcuts you are using to access WMP.

Go to the folder where you have no problems opening the program. Right click the file and choose Create Shortcut. Drag that shortcut to wherever you want (desktop, quick launch). Try opening again using that shortcut.

 

[freaky88]

it looks to me like you edited the .dll file

 

[michaelking]

If I create a shortcut on the desktop, it still doesn't work, and no I never edited the dll file.

 

[Kirsch]

What folder are you browsing to to find the icon that works? Have you right clicked the ACTUAL ICON that WORKS and created a shortcut OF THAT ICON?

 

[michaelking]

Local Disk-Program Files-Windows Media Player-wmplayer.exe
Tried right clicking wmplayer.exe and creating shortcut on desktop, but when doing that I will once again receive error messages.

 

[Kirsch]

When you create the shortcut in the Windows Media Player folder, will it run from there?

 

[michaelking]

Yes. What I have done now is link the wmp start menu shortcut path to use the wmplayer.exe located in the windows media player folder under Program Files. I noticed that the start menu shortcut was previously linking to the Program Files x86 windows media player folder location, but after changing the path to the Program Files location, I got it to work. Just wondering why I have two windows media player folders, one in Program Files and the other in Program Files x86. When I try to run the same file wmplayer.exe from the Program Files x86 location, I get the wmploc.dll error message, but not when I run it from Program Files location.

Even though I am able to open windows media player without error, it seems that when I try to open mp3 files or video files (without first opening wmp), I recieve the following error message (Windows media player is not installed properly and must be reinstalled)...I'm assuming it's because the files are using the x86 windows media player locaction. I wish I could fix this.

 

[Jacee]

* If you're getting "Server Execution Failed" errors, you may want to disable the Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service and reboot. That error indicates that something is locking the player in use in such a fashion that it can not be accessed.

from here: WMP FAQ: A trouble-shooting guide for Windows Media Player problems.

 

[nokken]

I had a similar issue but there was no error message. Windows Media Player would just refuse to open when clicked.

I fixed it by uninstalling and reinstalling Windows Media Player via Control Panel (Add/Remove Windows Components).

Edit: Just saw where you said you had tried that and it's still broken. Bummer.

 

[michaelking]

I just went ahead and did a fresh install of Winodws 7, and that fixed everything.

 

[freaky88]

I just went ahead and did a fresh install of Winodws 7, and that fixed everything.

the weird thing is, that usually causes more errors for me LOL