Fix Windows Media Player Server Execution Failed Error

If you try to open a media file with Windows Media Player then you might get an error message saying “Server execution failed” and you can’t do anything except clicking OK to close the error pop-up. Now Windows Media Player is a built-in media player in Windows 10 which is usually bug-free but sometimes it can show serious errors such as above.

But why does the Windows Media Player (WMP) shows the Server execution failed error? Well, there can be various causes such as corrupted files or dll, 3rd party app conflicting, Windows Media Player network sharing service might not be working properly, an update which doesn’t allow WMP to recognize certain file types, etc. So without wasting any time let’s see how to fix Windows Media Player Server execution failed error with the help of the below-listed guide.

Contents

• Fix Windows Media Player Server Execution Failed Error
• Method 1: Register jscript.dll and vbscript.dll
• Method 2: Restart Windows Media Player in Task Manager
• Method 3: Run Windows Media Player Troubleshooter
• Method 4: Perform Clean Boot
• Method 5: Disable Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service
• Method 6: Add the Administrator group to the Local Service
• Method 7: Check for Windows Update
• Method 8: Temporarily Disable Antivirus
• Method 9: Reinstall Windows Media Player
• Method 10: Reinstall Java

Fix Windows Media Player Server Execution Failed Error

Make sure to create a restore point just in case something goes wrong.

Before continuing with the advanced troubleshooting steps, you should check if the media file you’re trying to play with WMP works with any other media player, if it works then the issue is definitely with Windows Media Player but if doesn’t then the file might be corrupted and there is nothing you can do.

Method 1: Register jscript.dll and vbscript.dll

1.Press Windows Key + X then select Command Prompt (Admin).

2.Type the following command into cmd and hit Enter after each one:

regsvr32.exe jscript.dll
regsvr32.exe vbscript.dll

Note: A dialog box will pop-up each type you hit Enter, simply click OK.

3.Once finished, close cmd and reboot your PC to save changes.

Again try to play the file with WMP and see if you’re able to fix Server execution failed error.

Method 2: Restart Windows Media Player in Task Manager

1.Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys together to open Task Manager.

2.Find Windows Media Player in the Processes tab.

3.Then right-click on Windows Media Player and select End Task.

4.Again try to open WMP and this time it might work without any issues.

Method 3: Run Windows Media Player Troubleshooter

1.Press Windows Key + R then type the following command and hit Enter:

msdt.exe -id WindowsMediaPlayerConfigurationDiagnostic

2.Click on Advanced and then click Run as administrator.

3.Now click Next to run the troubleshooter.

4.Let it automatically fix Windows Media Won’t Play Music Files issue and reboot your PC.

Method 4: Perform Clean Boot

Sometimes 3rd party software can conflict with Windows Media Player and cause Server execution failed error, so the best way to verify if this is not the case here to disable all the 3rd party services and programs & then try to open WMP.

1.Press the Windows Key + R button, then type msconfig and click OK.

2.Under the General tab under, make sure Selective startup is checked.

3.Uncheck Load startup items under selective startup.

4.Switch to the Service tab and checkmark Hide all Microsoft services.

5.Now click Disable all button to disable all the unnecessary services which might cause conflict.

6.On the Startup tab, click Open Task Manager.

7.Now in the Startup tab (Inside Task Manager) disable all the startup items which are enabled.

8.Click OK and then Restart. Now again try to open Windows Media Player and this time you will be able to successfully open it.

9.Again press the Windows key + R button and type msconfig and hit Enter.

10.On the General tab, select the Normal Startup option, and then click OK.

11.When you are prompted to restart the computer, click Restart. 

If you’re still experiencing issues with Windows Media Player then you need to perform clean boot using a different approach which will discuss in this guide. In order to fix Server execution failed error, you need to perform a clean boot in your PC and diagnose the issue step by step.

Method 5: Disable Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service

1.Press Windows Key + R then type services.msc and hit Enter.

2.Scroll down and find Windows Media Network Sharing Service on the list.

3.Right-click on Windows Media Network Sharing Service and select Stop.

4.Double-click on Windows Media Network Sharing Service to open its Properties window.

4.From the Startup type drop-down select Disabled.

5.Click Apply followed by OK.

6.Reboot your PC to save changes and see if you’re able to fix Windows Media Player Server execution failed error.

7.If you’re still stuck with the issue then again set the Startup type of WMP Network Sharing Service to Automatic and click on the Start button to start the service.

Method 6: Add the Administrator group to the Local Service

1.Press Windows Key + X then select Command Prompt (Admin).

2.Type the following command into cmd and hit Enter after each one:

net localgroup “Administrators” “NT Authority\Local Service” /add 

3.Once finished, close cmd and reboot your PC to save changes.

Method 7: Check for Windows Update

1.Press Windows Key + I to open Settings then click on Update & Security.

2.From the left-hand side, menu click on Windows Update.

3.Now click on the “Check for updates” button to check for any available updates.

4.If any updates are pending then click on Download & Install updates.

Once the updates are downloaded, install them and your Windows will become up-to-date.

Sometimes updating Windows is not enough and you also need to update the device drivers in order to fix any issues with your computer.  Device drivers are essential system-level software that helps in creating communication between the hardware attached to the system and the operating system you are using on your computer.

Method 8: Temporarily Disable Antivirus

Sometimes the Antivirus program can cause Windows Media Player Server execution failed error and in order to verify this is not the case here you need to disable your antivirus for a limited time so that you can check if the error still appears when the antivirus is off.

1.Right-click on the Antivirus Program icon from the system tray and select Disable.

2.Next, select the time frame for which the Antivirus will remain disabled.

Note: Choose the smallest amount of time possible for example 15 minutes or 30 minutes.

3.Once done, again try to open Windows Media Player and check if the Server execution failed error resolves or not.

Method 9: Reinstall Windows Media Player

1.Type control in Windows Search then click on Control Panel from the search result.

2.Click on Programs and then click “Turn Windows features on or off” under Programs and Features.

3.Expand Media Features in the list and clear Windows Media Player checkbox.

4.As soon as you clear the checkbox, you will notice a pop-up saying “Turning off Windows Media Player might affect other Windows features and programs installed on your computer, including default settings. do you want to continue?“

5.Click Yes to uninstall Windows Media Player 12.

6.Reboot your PC to save changes.

7.Again go to Control Panel > Programs > Turn Windows features on or off.

8.Expand Media Features and mark the checkbox next to Windows Media Player and Windows Media Center.

9.Click Ok to reinstall WMP then wait for the process to finish.

10.Restart your PC then again try to play media files and you will be able to fix Windows Media Player Server execution failed error.

Method 10: Reinstall Java

1.Press Windows Key + R then type appwiz.cpl and hit Enter.

2.Now in the Uninstall or change a program window, find Java in the list.

3.Right-click on Java and select Uninstall. Click on yes to confirm the uninstallation.

4.Once finished with the uninstallation reboot your PC.

5.Now download Java from the official website and install it on the system again.

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I hope the above steps were able to help you Fix Windows Media Player Server execution failed error but if you still have any questions regarding this guide then feel free to ask them in the comment section.