If you’re here, chances are your Windows 10 media player has exhibited the “Server Execution Failed” error and you’re looking for a way to fix it.
You’ve come to the right source, I will be taking you through the many solutions that can be applied to fix your media player in this article.
The Windows Media Player application is usually dependable and normally does not raise any issues. It is in fact one of the most dependable apps on Windows 10 but there’s always a chance that something (which we’ll discuss a bit further down) will mess up a process that works okay on most days.
Some Reasons Why The “Server Execution Failed” Error Could Occur
1. Unsupported files
Sometimes when we try unsupported file formats, it can lead to the “Service Execution Failed” error showing up.
2. Faulty Updates
Incomplete update files or updates files with bugs in them can sometimes cause the error to occur.
3. System Failure
Issues from high CPU usage of other apps might also adversely affect your Windows Media player.
How To Fix The “Server Execution Failed” Error
Before you use any of the fixes below, try rebooting your system. This fix has a small chance of fixing your problem without going through any process. If it does not work, dive into the fixes below.
1. Try Out The Media File In Other Recommended Media Players
I am suggesting you do this so that you can find out whether it is the media file or the Windows Media Player that has issues.
You can use other media players like “Movies & TV” to try it out. If the file works, then you know your media player app needs fixing. Try out the next fix then.
2. Disabling/Enabling Windows Media Player
This fix is the same thing as saying rebooting the Windows Media Player process.
Here’s how to go about it.
Access the File Explorer window by using these shortcut keys (Windows + E).
When the File Explorer window opens, find this location
C:\Users\<xxxxxx>\AppData\Local\Microsoft
(xxxxxx represents your username)
Copying Files From The Media Player Folder
When you find the Microsoft folder and you open it, search for Media Player.
On the Media Player folder, double click and select all of the contents in the folder. You can use this (Ctrl + A).
Copy the contents you just selected by using this (Ctrl + C) and go create a new folder.
Paste the contents you copied in that new folder and just leave it there.
The contents will be needed later in the process so it is vital you keep it safe.
Continuing The Disabling Process
Exit the File Explorer window and open a Run window. You can do that by using (Ctrl + R).
Search for Optional Features in the Run window. When the search results appear, click on Windows Feature.
You will see a list of Windows features, navigate to Media Features, and uncheck the box close to it.
Select OK to apply the changes you made and wait for the process to be completed.
The process might take a bit of time so wait patiently and reboot your system when the process is done and you’ve exited Windows Features.
When your system comes back on, navigate back to Windows Features by opening a Run window.
You can do that by using (Ctrl + R) Search for Optional Features in the Run window.
When the search results appear, click on Windows Feature.
You will see a list of Windows features, navigate to Media Features and check the box you unchecked a few minutes ago, the box close to it.
Select OK to apply the changes you made and wait for the process to be completed.
The process might take a little bit of time, don’t worry. When it’s done, close the window.
Pasting The Files Back To The Media Player Folder
Go back to the folder where you stored the files you copied first.
Remember the files I said were vital you kept it safe? Yes, copy those files again and then navigate to this location
C:\Users\<xxxxxx>\AppData\Local\Microsoft
(Remember xxxxxx is just representing your username)
Find the Media Player folder and open it. Paste the contents you copied in the Media Player folder by using (Ctrl + V).
Close the process once the pasting is done. Try out your Windows Media Player, it should be working fine now.
3. Using The Windows Store App Troubleshooting Tool
This is another good option especially for users who don’t want to really go into a lot of processes. You can just let the troubleshooting tool do its job.
As you well know, Windows Media Player is a Windows Store app so the troubleshooting tool should help you figure out what’s wrong and it should also help you fix it too.
Here’s how to use the troubleshooting tool.
Navigate to Start > Settings > Updates & Security > Trouboeshoot
When you’re in the Troubleshoot menu, choose the last option Windows Store Apps.
The troubleshooting tool will immediately find out problems that are disturbing Windows store apps.
When the process is done, reboot your system. This should solve your Server Execution Failed error.
4. Registering DLL Files Again
DLL files help processes like Windows Media Player work better. Reregistering the files might help return your app back to normal and get rid of the Server Execution Failed error.
Here’s how to do it.
Use the Windows search, search for Command Prompt.
Right-click on Command Prompt when the results show, choose Run As Administrator in the popup.
When the Command Prompt opens, enter these commands.
regsvr32.exe jscript.dll
regsvr32.exe vbscript.dll
Remember to enter the commands by pressing Enter after imputing the command text.
Close the Command Prompt when you’re done and reboot your system.
You should be free of the error now.
5. Temporarily Disabling Your Antivirus/Adding Windows Media Player To Your Antivirus Exception List
This fix will work if what’s disturbing you is your antivirus. Try disabling your antivirus and see if the error is gone.
If it is gone, you now know what the cause is. To fix it a bit more permanently, add the Windows Media Player to your antivirus exception list so that it won’t affect it.
6. Rebooting The Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service
Open a Run window, you can do that by using (Ctrl + R).
Enter this text services.msc to open the Service Manager menu.
When the menu opens, navigate to the Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service option.
You will have to scroll down to find it. When you do find it, right-click on it and select Properties from the menu that opens.
In the Properties menu, select Stop to stop the process.
When the Service Status shows that it has stopped, then proceed with these following tweaks on the same menu.
First, select Startup Type as Automatic. Then go back to Service Status and select Start.
Apply the settings you just made and then click on OK to confirm the changes.
Reboot your system and check if the Server Execution Failed error is still disturbing your app.
7. Uninstall And Reinstall Java
Sometimes when there are bugs in this application, it can adversely your Windows Media Player.
To fix it is pretty easy, just a quick uninstall and reinstall process. Here’s how to get it done.
Navigate to Start > Settings > Apps > Java Select Java and uninstall it.
Reboot your system and then use this link to reinstall Java.
When you’re done, your system should be free of the error if Java was at fault.
8. Using A Clean Boot To Fix The Error
This fix is sure to help with most errors but it is really long and that is why it is the last fix I will explain.
Follow the steps below carefully to ensure it works out well for you.
This fix helps if other non-Microsoft apps or processes are the causes behind your “Server Execution Failed” error in Windows Media Player.
Here’s how to go about it.
Performing A Clean Boot
Open a Run window (Ctrl + R). Enter this text – msconfig
When the Systems Configuration menu opens up, select the General tab.
Choose Selective Startup in the General tab and uncheck the Load Startup Items box.
Make sure the other box (Load System Services) is checked.
Remember to select OK. Switch from the General tab to the Services tab.
At the bottom left part of the menu, check the Hide All Microsoft Services box.
Then at the bottom right part of the same menu, click on Disable All.
Apply the changes you just made and then confirm by pressing OK. Reboot your system and you’re done.
Open the Windows Media Player now and check if it’s fixed. If it works well, then you’ve just found out what the problem is. One of your processes is affecting your app.
To find out which one, go through the same process and choose maybe ¼ of your apps to startup with.
Test the Windows Media Player again and check if it exhibits the error, if it does then you’ve just narrowed down the problem.
If it doesn’t, just continue the process until you figure out which group of apps is causing problems. Remove the app and enjoy your error-free Windows Media Player.
Returning System Settings To Normal (After Clean Boot)
The next step of the plan is important because after even though you’ve fixed your issue, you have also made several changes that will affect your system processes.
Here’s what you need to do.
Open a Run window (Ctrl + R).
Enter this text – msconfig
When the Systems Configuration menu opens up, select the General tab.
Choose Normal Startup and select Services.
Uncheck the Hide All Microsoft Services box. Select Enable All.
Then move to the Startup Tab.
Open Task Manager and enable your Startup processes.
Select OK and then reboot your system.
This process is important after performing a clean boot because it helps you return your system settings to normal sans the app or process that was defective.
Conclusion
The Windows Media Player is a very effective tool for watching movies and playing music, it usually does not fail but when it does, use any of the fixes above to make it work well again.
Remember to return your system processes back to normal after performing a clean boot. You may lose important system processes if you don’t.
Have you ever tried out any of the fixes above? Do you know of any other way to help solve the “Server Execution Failed” error?
Please tell us your suggestions or opinions using the comments section.