WMP: "Windows Media Player Cannot Play This File" Error Message Appears When You Try To Play an Audio CD (326680)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Media Player for Windows XP Professional
  • Microsoft Windows Media Player for Windows XP Home Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Media Player 7
This article was previously published under Q326680

SYMPTOMS

When you try to play an audio CD in Microsoft Windows Media Player, you may receive the following error message:
Windows Media Player cannot play this file. Connect to the internet or insert the removable media on which the file is located then try to play the file again.

CAUSE

This issue may occur if your Windows Media Library index file is corrupted.

RESOLUTION

NOTE: Because there are several versions of Microsoft Windows, the following steps may be different on your computer. If they are, see your product documentation to complete these steps.

To resolve this issue, create a new library index file:
  1. Remove any audio CDs, and then close Windows Media Player.
  2. Locate the following folder:

    C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft\Media Index

    By default, the \Application Data\ folder is hidden. See the "More Information" section of this article for instructions about how to show hidden folders.

    Note In some cases the index file may be located in a different folder. If you do not find the index file at this location, or if this folder does not exist on your computer, click Start, click Search, and then search for the Wmplibrary_v_0_12.db file.
  3. Right-click the Wmplibrary_v_0_12.db file, and then click Rename.
  4. Type Wmplibrary_v_0_12.OLD to rename the file.
  5. Insert an audio CD, and then start Windows Media Player if it does not start automatically.

    Windows Media Player re-creates the library index file.

MORE INFORMATION

How to Show Hidden Files and Folders in Windows

NOTE: Because there are several versions of Microsoft Windows, the following steps may be different on your computer. If they are, see your product documentation to complete these steps.
  1. Click Start, click Control Panel, and then double-click Folder Options.
  2. Click View, click Advanced Options, and then click Show Hidden Files and Folders.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:9/15/2003
Keywords:kbsound kbprb KB326680
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.