Windows Media Player Invalid File Format Error Message

• Microsoft Windows Media Player versions 6.1, 6.2, 6.4

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to play a file with Windows Media Player, you may receive one or more of the following error messages:

Invalid File Format. (Error=8004022F)

Cannot play back the file. The format is not supported. (Error=80040265)

Cannot play back the video stream: no suitable decompressor could be found. (Error=80040255)

No combination of filters could be found to render the stream. (Error=80040218)

The source filter for this file could not be loaded. (Error=80040241)

CAUSE

This issue can occur for any of the following reasons:

• The media file you are attempting to play is not a supported file format for Windows Media Player, or the media file uses a Codec that is not supported by Windows Media Player.
• Some of the Windows Media Player files are missing or damaged.
• The media file is damaged.
• The media file uses a Codec that is not installed.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, perform the following steps, testing to determine if the issue is resolved after each step:

IMPORTANT: Please note that the Windows Media Player program does not support the playback of every type of media file available currently, but does provide support for the most common types of media files. Because of this, please verify that your media file is a supported type, and if not, do not perform the steps after step 1. If Windows Media Player does not support the file format you are using, contact the distributor of the file to inquire about the availability of a viewer for the file.

NOTE: For additional information about a specific error message, click the article numbers below to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q156286 Error Message: Cannot Play Back the Video Stream: No Suitable Decompressor Could Be Found.

Q195880 Err Msg: No Combination of Filters Could Be Found to Render...

1. Verify that Windows Media Player supports the file format you are using. Windows Media Player supports the file formats in the following list:
   
   
   • Windows Media formats File name extensions: .asf, .asx, .avi, .wav, .wax, .wma, .wm
   
   
   
   • Moving Pictures Experts Group (MPEG) File name extensions: m3u, mp2v, .mpg, .mpeg, .m1v, .mp2, .mp3, .mpa, .mpe, mpv2
   
   
   
   • Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) File name extensions: .mid, midi, .rmi
   
   
   
   • Apple QuickTime, Macintosh AIFF Resource File name extensions: .qt, .aif, .aifc, .aiff, .mov
   
   
   
   • Unix File name extensions: .au, .snd
   
   
   
   NOTE: Windows Media Player supports files created with Apple QuickTime version 1 and 2. Windows Media Player no longer supports the .ra, .rm, and .ram file formats.



2. In Windows Media Player, play a different file that uses the same file extension as the file that you were using when you received the error message. If the other file plays correctly, then the original file you were trying to play may be damaged. If you receive an error message when you play each of the files, continue to the next step.



3. Remove Windows Media Player, restart the computer, and then reinstall Windows Media Player.


NOTE: You need to use the latest version of Windows Media Player. To download the latest version of Windows Media Player, click the following link to view the Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/mediaplayer/en/default.asp

4. Reinstall the latest version of Microsoft DirectX.


For additional information about troubleshooting and installing DirectX , click the article numbers below to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q179113 How to Download and Install DirectX

Q191598 DirectX: How to Reinstall DirectX 6.1 and Replace All Files

Q157730 Determining DirectX Version Using the DirectX Diagnostic Tool

5. Verify that you are using the correct codec for the media file you are trying to play.


For additional information about verifying, installing and troubleshooting audio codecs, click the article numbers below to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q142731 How to Install and Remove Codecs and MCI Devices in Windows

Q141801 Troubleshooting Audio Codecs in Windows 95

Q191533 Media Player Cannot Play .avi File Using Indeo 4.x Codec

Q221831 Err Msg: Unable to Download the Appropriate Decompressor

MORE INFORMATION

For additional troubleshooting and information about Windows Media Player, please click the following link to view the frequently asked questions (FAQ) Web page for Windows Media Player:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows98/support/faq/SUPFAQMPLAYER.asp

Additional query words:

Keywords : kbenv kberrmsg kbtool kbui win95 win98 mplayer win98se
Version : WINDOWS:6.1,6.2,6.4
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbprb