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Media player will not open. Was working fine one day, then wouldn't open the next. Is there some sort of troubleshooting process I can go through, or is there some way I can reload it. I have windows vista sp1 (??) premium.

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Thread context: reported Windows Media Player would not open after working fine the day before. and pointed toward replacing the player; below are targeted diagnostics and recovery steps that often fix a non-starting WMP without immediately reinstalling.

  • Check the Application log in Event Viewer for errors at the time you try to start WMP (Computer -> Manage -> Event Viewer -> Windows Logs -> Application). Note the error text and any "faulting module" DLL name — that identifies whether a third-party codec or shell extension is crashing the player.
  • Run System File Checker from an elevated prompt: sfc /scannow. This repairs corrupt system files that can prevent WMP from starting.
  • Reset the media library (corruption here commonly blocks startup). Close WMP, then move or delete the database files in:
    %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Media Player\
    (back up the files first). WMP rebuilds the library on next launch.
  • Try a clean boot: run msconfig, hide Microsoft services, disable the remaining non-Microsoft services and startup items, reboot and test. If WMP opens, re-enable items in small groups to find the conflict.

Other recovery options: use Control Panel -> Programs -> Turn Windows features on or off -> Media Features to remove and re-enable Windows Media Player; uninstall any third-party codec packs or recent multimedia utilities; create a new local user profile to rule out profile corruption; or restore to a system restore point if available.

Cautions: back up playlists and library files before deleting anything. If Event Viewer points to a third-party DLL, remove or update that package rather than forcing WMP to run. If these diagnostics don’t reveal a cause, reinstalling/updating the player or performing a repair install of Vista are the usual next steps.

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Member Avatar for radeon

get the latest windows media player, ull be fine with that,.

Member Avatar for zeroth

just download the newest version...it should write over the bad copy.

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