Error Message: "No Combination of Filters Could Be Found to Render the Stream" (271785)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Media Player 7
  • Microsoft Windows Media Player 7.1

This article was previously published under Q271785
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to play a file with Microsoft Windows Media Player, you may receive the following error message:

No combination of filters could be found to render the stream.

If you start a program such as Motor Cross Madness 2, it may start an .avi file, .mpg file, or other type of media file. When the file cannot be played successfully, the program may disconnect without an error message and return you to the desktop.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur because of issues with the codec associated with the content attempting to play.

In other cases, a registry key and value that is required to play the content presented may be missing. A reinstall or upgrade of Windows Media Player may not install this required key and value.

RESOLUTION

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

For additional information about codec files, click the article numbers below to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

234019 Windows Media Player Invalid File Format Error Message

141801 Troubleshooting Audio and Video Codecs in Windows 95/98

If it is determined a codec is not the cause of the issue, verify that the following registry key and its associated values exist. If they do not exist, you need to create them.

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{DA4E3DA0-D07D-11d0-BD50-00A0C911CE86}\Instance\{083863F1-70DE-11d0-BD40-00A0C911CE86}



The value name and value data information in this key should be:

CLSID={083863F1-70DE-11d0-BD40-00A0C911CE86}
FriendlyName=DirectShow Filters
Merit (DWORD value)=00600000



To create a .reg file to add this value, follow these steps:
  1. Click Start, click Programs, click Accessories, and then click Notepad.
  2. In Notepad, create a file that contains:

    REGEDIT4 [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{DA4E3DA0-D07D-11d0-BD50-00A0C911CE86}\Instance\{083863F1-70DE-11d0-BD40-00A0C911CE86}] "FriendlyName"="DirectShow Filters" "CLSID"="{083863F1-70DE-11d0-BD40-00A0C911CE86}" "Merit"=dword:00600000

NOTE: Ensure that there is a blank line at the end of the newly created file. The registry can not update properly without the blank line. The resulting file will contain more than seven lines.

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.

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:1/15/2006
Keywords:kbprb KB271785