Windows Media Player is a media player and media library application developed by Microsoft that first appeared in Windows 3.0 back in 1991. It is still available on the Windows 10 platform and although there are other more popular media players available, a lot of people still prefer using this software. Although this is a solid application there are instances when certain issues can occur which we will be addressing today. In this latest installment of our troubleshooting series we will tackle the Windows Media Player server execution failed issue.
How To Fix Windows Media Player Server Execution Failed Issue
Before performing any of the recommended troubleshooting steps listed below it’s best to restart your computer first. This action refreshes the operating system and remove any corrupt temporary data that could be causing the problem.
There are several factors that can cause this particular problem ranging from a corrupted cache file to a setting issue. Listed below are the recommended troubleshooting steps you need to do to fix this problem.
Try registering DLL files
One of the main causes of this problem is an issue with some DLL files. There are two of these files in particular which you will need to register in the system in order for the Windows Media Player software to work properly.
- Type command prompt on the search bar then right click on the first option that appears then select “Run as administrator”.
- On the command prompt Window type the following
- Type regsvr32.exe jscript.dll then press enter
- Type regsvr32.exe vbscript.dll then press enter
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Do a clean boot
There are instances when a service running in your computer will interfere with the way Windows Media Player works. To determine what service is causing the problem you will have to do a clean boot.
- Use the ‘Windows + R’ key combination on your keyboard.
- In the ‘Run’ dialog box type “MSCONFIG” and click “OK”.
- Click on the “Boot” tab and uncheck the “Safe Boot” option (if checked).
- Under the General tab in the same window, click to select the Selective startup option, and then click to clear the Load startup items check box to make sure it’s not checked.
- Under the Services tab, click to select the Hide all Microsoft services check box, and then click “Disable all”.
- On the Startup tab, click “Open Task Manager”.
- In the Task Manager window under the Startup tab, right click on each startup item which are enabled and select “Disable”.
- Enable the Startup items one by one and restarting your computer. After that, you need to check whether the error appears again. You will need to repeat the same process even for the Services which you have disabled in Step 4. Once you find the problematic startup item or service, you can undertake action in order to solve the problem. If it is a program, you can reinstall it or repair it. If it is a service, you can disable it, etc.
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Regain control of user folder
If you made some changes on your computer which somehow changed the properties of the user folder then you will need to regain control of this folder so that Windows Media Player can access it.
- Open File Explorer, and then find C >> Users >> YourUsername. Right-click on the folder, click Properties, and then navigate to the Security tab.
- Click the Advanced button in order to open the Advanced Security Settings window.
- Click the Change link next to the “Owner:” label.
- The Select User or Group window will appear. Select your user account via the Advanced button or just type your username in the area which says ‘Enter the object name to select’ and click OK.
- To change the owner of all subfolders and files inside the folder, select the check box “Replace owner on subcontainers and objects” in the “Advanced Security Settings” window. Click OK to change the ownership.
- You will need to provide full access to the folder for your account. Go back to the Security tab in the Properties windows and click the Add button in order to open the Permission Entry window. Click on Select a principal and choose your account.
- Set permissions to “Full control” and click OK. You can also choose the “Replace all existing inheritable permissions on all descendants with inheritable permissions from this object” option in the “Advanced Security Settings” window as well.
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Reinstall Windows Media Player
- On your keyboard, use the Windows Key + R key combination to open the Run dialog box.
- Type in Control Panel and click OK in order to open it.
- Change the view in Control Panel to View by: Category and click on Uninstall a program under the Programs section.
- At the right side of the screen which opens, click on Turn Windows features on or off and locate the Media Features section. Expand the list and look for Windows Media Player. Uncheck the box next to it, click OK, and confirm any dialog boxes which appear. RESTART your computer afterwards (important)!
- After that, navigate to either the Program Files or Program Files (x86) folder in the disk you are using (depending on your PC’s architecture) and delete the Windows Media Player folder.
- Go back to the Windows Media Player entry in the Turn Windows Features on or off and check the box next to it again which will initiate the reinstalling process. Restart your computer again after it has finished installing and restart your computer again.
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Try fixing the Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service
- Open the Run dialog box by using the Windows Key + R key combination
- Type “services.msc”
- Find the Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service, right-click on it and select Properties from the context menu.
- If the service is stopped (you can check that just next to the Service status message), you should leave it stopped. If it is running, click the Stop button and wait for the service to shut down.
- Make sure that the option under the Startup type section in Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service’s Properties is set to Automatic before you click the Start button in order to restart the service
If you get the error message “Windows could not start the Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service on Local Computer. Error 1079: The account specified for this service differs from the account specified for other services running in the same process.” then perform the following.
- Open the Run dialog box by using the Windows Key + R key combination
- Type “services.msc”
- Find the Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service, right-click on it and select Properties from the context menu.
- If the service is stopped (you can check that just next to the Service status message), you should leave it stopped. If it is running, click the Stop button and wait for the service to shut down.
- Go to the Log On tab and click on the Browse… button
- Under the “Enter the object name to select” box, type in your computer’s name, click on the Check Names and wait for the name to become authenticated.
- Click OK when you are done and type in the administrator password in the Password box when you are prompted with it.
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Reinstall Java
Since Windows Media Player relies on the Java runtime environment then you should try reinstalling Java.
- Click on the Start menu located at the bottom left part of your screen. Select Settings by clicking on the gear icon above the Power button in Start menu.
- Select Apps section in the Settings app. Select Java from the list of installed apps and then click its Uninstall button.
- Respond to the instructions displayed on the screen to complete the uninstall process.
- Go to https://java.com/en/download/manual.jsp
- Click on Windows Offline.
- The File Download dialog box appears prompting you to run or save the download file Click Save to download the file to your local system.
- Close all applications including your browser and double-click on the saved file to start the installation process. Click the Install button to accept the license terms and to continue with the installation.
- Oracle has partnered with companies that offer various products. The installer may present you with the option to install these programs when you install Java. After ensuring that the desired programs are selected, click the Next button to continue the installation.
- A few brief dialogs confirm the last steps of the installation process; click Close on the last dialog. This will complete Java installation process.
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