Server Execution Failed in Windows 10 is a common issue in Windows Media Player, the primary media player.
It is one of the most successful software launched by Microsoft for Windows. It is usually bug-free. Many users have reported the error of Server Execution Failed while trying to play media.
Cause: Server Execution Failed
The issue can lie with the file or the system. It might be updated and not allow WMP for recognizing the file type.
It can troubleshoot the problem sequentially, isolating each possibility one by one:
Solution 1- Disable and Re-enable WMP
Disabling or re-enabling Windows Media Player (WMP) from Windows Features will going to help.
- Click Windows key+E for opening File Explorer window on the computer.
- Navigate to location- C:\Users\AppData\Local\Microsoft in File Explorer window. Double-tap on “Media Player” folder.
- Select the contents and tap ‘Ctrl+A‘. Copy contents by pressing ‘Ctrl+C‘.
- Go to a favourable folder of choice to paste the contents to backup the Windows Media Player database, which will be needed later.
- Press Windows key+R to launch the Run window on your computer. In Run window, type or copy-paste “optional features” and hit Enter.
- Uncheck the “Media Features” option in Windows Features panel.
- Tap on “OK” to save changes. Windows makes the computer changes, which will take a while. Tap on “Close“.
- Try to close the Windows Features window to restart the computer.
- Tap on Windows key+R to launch the Run window on your computer. In Run window, type “optional features” and hit Enter to open Windows Features.
- Scroll down to check the “Media Features” option.
- Tap on “OK” to re-enable the settings of the computer. Let Windows make changes which will take some time.
- Tap on “Close” after the process is complete.
- Click Windows key+E for opening File Explorer to navigate to the folder to the place where the backup is stored.
- Copy the contents of the backup.
- Go to a given location in File Explorer–
C:\Users\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Media Player - Tap ‘Ctrl+V‘ to paste the contents here once you have completed these changes, try to close File Explorer window.
Try to play music with Windows Media Player to work just fine.
Solution 2- Check whether the media file works with the other recommended media player.
Windows Media Player is the media player for Windows 10, and it means merely the better media player Microsoft provides in Windows 10 systems by default. The other two media applications are Groove music to get audio, movies & TV. Try playing a file in Windows 10 with the other two applications for checking its working for isolating whether the issue is with the file type or system.
Solution 3- Re-register DLL files thru Command Prompt
- Try to search Command Prompt in the Windows search bar by right-clicking on the icon to select Run as administrator.
- Write the following commands to tap Enter for executing:
- regsvr32.exe jscript.dll
- regsvr32.exe vbscript.dll
- Close and Exit Command Prompt to restart the system.
Solution 4- Using Windows store apps troubleshooter.
The Windows Store app troubleshooter could help identify and resolve the Windows Media Player is a Windows Store app.
- Tap on the Start button to let the gear-like symbol open the Settings page.
- Go to Updates and security to the Troubleshoot tab.
- Find and select Window store apps troubleshooter to run it.
- Restart the computer.
Solution 5- Clean boot
A clean boot helps in identifying an interfering startup program that causes the problem. Here is the process to clean boot the system.
Solution 6- Update Windows
As Codecs are not supported, it will send them in the form of Windows updates. It is good practice to avoid errors by keeping Windows updated. Here is the process for updating Windows.
Solution 7- Adding Windows Media Player to the exception list for antivirus antivirus
Top antivirus software is trying to sideline Windows Media Player, and this is a well-reported fact. What causes the error in the system?? Try to consider adding Windows Media Player to the exception list of the antivirus software.
Solution 8- Temporarily disable the antivirus program
Temporarily disable the antivirus program by adding Windows Media Player and check whether it helps.
Solution 9- Reinstall Windows Media Player
Windows Media Player is a feature of Windows and not merely an external program. The procedure to reinstall Windows Media Player is as follows:
- Press Win + R to open the Run window. Type control panel and press Enter to open the Control Panel window.
- Go to Programs and features.
- On the list on the left-hand side, select Turn Windows features on or off.
- In the list, scroll to Media features and expand the list. Re-Install Windows Media Player
- Uncheck the checkbox corresponding to Windows Media Player.
- 6] Restart the system.
Solution 10- Restart the Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service
- Press Win + R to open the Run window and type the command services.msc. Press Enter to open the Service Manager window.
- In the alphabetically arranged list, locate the Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service and right-click on it. Select Properties.
- Click on Stop to stop the service. Wait till it is destroyed and the same is mentioned in the service status.
- Change the Startup type to Automatic and now click on Start.
- Click on Apply and then OK to save the settings.
- 6] Restart the system.
Solution 11- Reinstall Java
- Click on the Start button and then on the gear-like symbol to open the Settings page.
- Go to Apps and find Java among the list of apps installed on the system.
- Select Java and click on uninstall to remove it from the system.
- Restart the computer.
- Now download Java from its website and install it on the system again.
This exhaustive troubleshooting guide should help resolve the problem. If not, you might consider using a 3rd party media player. Hope it helps!