Member Avatar for sdavenop

I am using Windows Media Player 11 on Windows Vista. When I play something in WMP 11 (a CD, a video, etc) and then close it, the audio portion continues to play. I found that when I open up WMP 11 again, the program is still playing the media file even though I closed the program. I've looked at the Start Task Manager, and it shows that wmplayer.exe is still running. Does anyone have any idea why this occurs? Any potential solutions?

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raised the classic WMP symptom: wmplayer.exe stays alive and audio keeps playing after the window is closed. Several quick fixes were suggested earlier in the thread (, , , , ). Those can help in some cases, but when the process truly stays alive the root cause is usually a stuck plugin/codec, a corrupted library file, or a third‑party service that keeps a handle open. The steps below focus on diagnosing and fixing those deeper causes.

Reproduce the problem, open Task Manager and note the process (wmplayer.exe) and PID. Use Sysinternals Process Explorer to inspect that process: double‑click wmplayer.exe and check the DLLs/Handles tabs for non‑Microsoft modules (Logitech, ffdshow, DivX, etc.). A third‑party DLL shown as loaded is a strong lead — uninstall or update that component, or disable the matching WMP plug‑in. Process Explorer is the right tool for this inspection. (learn.microsoft.com)

If a plugin is implicated, disable optional DSP/renderer plug‑ins from WMP’s Plug‑Ins manager (Tools → Plug‑Ins → Options) and retest. Faulty DSP/renderers are a common cause of WMP not shutting down cleanly; remove them and reintroduce one at a time to find the offender. (groups.google.com)

Another frequent cause is a corrupted media database. Close WMP, then delete the .wmdb files in the WMP database folder (%LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Media Player) so WMP rebuilds the library on next start — back up playlists first, since this resets the library. The official WMP troubleshooting guidance documents this step. (support.microsoft.com)

If the issue persists, do a targeted clean boot to rule out startup utilities (multimedia keyboard software, helper services) and check the Event Viewer for application errors (faulting module names and timestamps help pinpoint the culprit). If you identify a third‑party codec or utility, update or remove it; as a last resort use an alternative player while you clean up the offending component. For isolating startup/services, use Microsoft’s clean‑boot procedure. (cnblogs.com)

Summary: inspect wmplayer.exe with Process Explorer, disable/remove suspect WMP plug‑ins (DSP/renderer), delete the .wmdb library files to force a rebuild, and use a clean boot to isolate third‑party services. These steps find and fix the underlying causes rather than just killing the process.

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Member Avatar for PcPro12

Yes, when you close media player you click the red X in the top right corner right? when click that X to exit a program, it usually just disappears and keeps running in the background....

The proper way to close it is by clicking FILE than EXIT....or on the top left hand side corner click there and hit CLOSE...

and the music should stop and the program will not be running in the background...

This has happened to me several times and i found out it's because i was click the red X to exit the program...

Enjoy!

Member Avatar for sdavenop

Thanks! Good solution.

That is a ridiculous design by microsoft, IMHO. If i wanted it to keep playing in the background, I would have minimized it.

Member Avatar for PcPro12

Yup...no problem...

it's not always like this, it's supposed to usually close down, but for SOME programs they go in the background...

like windows media player, I always click the red X and it just closes even when music is playing, it stops...but some other times, after updates or or when the computer or program freezes, it does that....i guess it's random...for me, i can now click the red X and it foes away...but sometimes it doesnt...so i dont know the real problem...but a good solution... :) enjoy

Member Avatar for Niutsikan

Juste in case,

If you have G15 (logitech) keyboard with Windows Vista

Open CONTROL PANEL

Double click WINDOWS SIDESHOW

Uncheck anything that has to do with WINDOWS MEDIA PLAYER

Simple and fast no need ctrl-del or click file and close.......
its a bug with logitech. i solve same prob. with that..

(Only if you have Logiteck Keyboard)

Member Avatar for Lu-

I have had the same problem, and the solutions here did not seem to work for me. I found these on other sites, and I believe that it has made a difference for me:

Go to start->run->
Type services.msc
Look for Windows Media Player network sharing service in the list
Right-click properties
In the startup type select disabled.

Another solution is: While Media Player is open, bring up Task Manager and end the program. This could be another cure.

Member Avatar for flagstar

I have had the same problem, and the solutions here did not seem to work for me. I found these on other sites, and I believe that it has made a difference for me:

Go to start->run->
Type services.msc
Look for Windows Media Player network sharing service in the list
Right-click properties
In the startup type select disabled.

Another solution is: While Media Player is open, bring up Task Manager and end the program. This could be another cure.

This thread is old so don't reply to it anymore.
But your cure is only an alternative and mostly just work in short time only and also for average computer user.

The only way to make sure WMP didn't run in background is STOP the media you're playing in WMP and close it afterwards. It was much easier...

Member Avatar for kumarsaravanan

reinstall the windows player 11

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