Content does not play correctly when you try to play content that you do not have an installed codec for in Windows Media Player 10 (891738)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Media Player 10
  • Microsoft Windows Media Player 9 Series for Windows XP
  • Microsoft Windows Media Player 9 Series for Windows Server 2003

SYMPTOMS

When you try to play content for which you do not have an installed codec, Microsoft Windows Media Player automatically tries to retrieve the codec from the Microsoft codec server. Therefore, you may no longer be prompted to automatically install a missing codec package, and the content that you do not have a codec for does not play back correctly. You may also receive the following error message:
An audio codec is needed to play this file. To determine if this codec is available to download from the Web, click Web Help.

CAUSE

This problem occurs because we no longer sign the .cab files for third-party codec packages.

RESOLUTION

You can still install the necessary codecs directly from the vendor's Web site. In some instances, Web Help directs you to the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.wmplugins.com

You can search this site to see whether the specific vendor's codec is available.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

MORE INFORMATION

We previously provided certain third-party codecs and signed them as trusted codec packages. Users could install those third-party codecs with little difficulty. We no longer provide this service. We no longer sign the following codecs:
  • Sharp G.726
  • Sipro Labs Acelp.net
  • Voxware MetaSound and Voxware MetaVoice
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:3/14/2006
Keywords:kbprb KB891738 kbAudDeveloper
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