Windows Media Player Not Playing MP4? Fix 0x80070057 & Codec Errors

Quick Check: Is the MP4 File Corrupted or Is Media Player the Problem?

Before trying different fixes, it is important to find out whether the problem comes from the MP4 file itself or from Windows Media Player. This is especially useful when Media Player shows error code 0x80070057, says the file has unsupported encoding settings, or simply refuses to play an MP4 video.

The fastest way to check is to open the same MP4 file with another media player, such as VLC, Movies & TV, or Windows Media Player Legacy.

In most cases, if the MP4 file plays normally in another player, you should fix Media Player or its codecs first instead of repairing the video file. However, if the same MP4 cannot be opened by any player, the file itself is likely damaged. In that case, repairing the corrupted MP4 file should be your next step.

Once you know the likely cause, follow the matching solution below. If the issue only happens in the new Media Player app, start with Method 1 to repair or reset Media Player. If the file uses HEVC, AV1, or unsupported encoding settings, try installing codecs or re-encoding the MP4. If the MP4 fails in every player, skip to the video repair method to fix the damaged file.

Part 1. Why Is Windows Media Player Not Playing MP4?

From the mp4 file being corrupted to a few missing codecs, there can be any reason behind MP4 file not playing in Windows Media Player. Here are a few common ones.

• The MP4 file has been corrupted or damaged.
• Missing codecs or unsupported encoding settings for playing MP4 in the Windows Media Player.
• The MP4 file format is not supported by the media player.
• Malware or virus infection in the computer.
• The video drivers are not up to date due to which there are video errors occurring.

Part 2. How to Fix Windows Media Player Not Playing MP4 Error?

After figuring out why MP4 won’t play on Windows Media Player, let’s take a closer look at the possible solutions. Try them one by one until you get your MP4 video up.

Method 1. Repair or Reset Media Player to Fix MP4 Error 0x80070057

If the new Windows Media Player app fails to play MP4 and shows error code 0x80070057 or unsupported encoding settings, the app itself may be glitched or its local data may be corrupted. In this case, repairing or resetting Media Player is a quick first fix before changing codecs or repairing the MP4 file.

• Press Win + I to open Settings on your Windows PC.

• Go to Apps > Installed apps.

• Scroll down to find Media Player, click the three-dot menu, and choose Advanced options.

• Click Repair first. This will try to fix the app without deleting its data.

  

• If Media Player still cannot play the MP4 file, go back to the same page and click Reset.

• Restart Media Player and open the MP4 file again to check whether error 0x80070057 is fixed.

Method 2. Enable Windows Media Player Legacy

If the new Media Player app keeps showing 0x80070057 when playing MP4, try opening the same video with Windows Media Player Legacy. The legacy version works differently from the new Media Player app and may play some MP4 files without triggering the same error, especially when the issue is related to the app itself rather than the video file.

• Press Win + I to open Settings.

• Go to System > Optional features.

• Click View features next to Add an optional feature.

• Search for Windows Media Player Legacy.

  

• Select it, click Next, and then click Add or Install.

• After installation, right-click your MP4 file and choose Open with > Windows Media Player Legacy.

  

Method 3. Install Missing MP4 Codecs or HEVC Extensions

If Windows Media Player shows a message like "Windows Media Player cannot play the file. The player might not support the file type or might not support the codec that was used to compress the file", the MP4 may use a codec that Windows Media Player cannot decode. Since MP4 is only a container, the video inside may use H.264, HEVC/H.265, AV1, or another codec. Installing the missing codec or HEVC extension can help Media Player recognize the file correctly.

• Right-click the MP4 file and choose Properties.

• Go to the Details tab and check the video and audio codec information if available.

• If the file uses HEVC/H.265, open Microsoft Store on your PC.

• Search for HEVC Video Extensions and install the extension from Microsoft.

  

• If the MP4 uses another unsupported codec, install a trusted codec pack such as K-Lite Codec Pack or convert the video to a more compatible format.

• Restart Windows Media Player and try playing the MP4 file again.

• Download the standard version of K-Lite Codec Pack from the official website.

  

• Double-click the setup file run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to proceed with the installation.

• Choose Windows Media Player as your preferred video player and click Next to proceed.

  

• After selecting your desired options, click "Install" and wait for the codec pack to be installed.

• Restart your computer and try playing your MP4 file again using Windows Media Player.

Method 4. Re-encode MP4 to H.264/AAC or Convert MP4 to WMV

If the MP4 file still cannot play after installing codecs, its encoding settings may not be fully compatible with Windows Media Player. Instead of only changing the file extension, you should re-encode the video to a widely supported format. For best compatibility, convert the MP4 to H.264 video + AAC audio, or use WMV as an alternative fallback format.

• Go to an online MP4 converter such as Online-Convert MP4 Converter.

• Upload the MP4 file that Windows Media Player cannot play.

• In the optional video settings, choose H.264 as the video codec.

  

• In the optional audio settings, choose AAC as the audio codec.

• Keep MP4 as the output format, then click Start conversion.

• Download the converted MP4 file and open it with Windows Media Player again.

Method 5. Update Windows, Microsoft Store, and Media Player

Outdated Windows components, Microsoft Store services, or the Media Player app can also cause MP4 playback errors, including 0x80070057 and unsupported encoding settings. Since the new Media Player is closely tied to Windows updates and Store app updates, keeping all related components up to date can help fix compatibility issues, app bugs, and missing playback improvements.

• Press Win + I and go to Windows Update.

• Click Check for updates and install all available Windows updates.

• Restart your computer after the update is complete.

• Open Microsoft Store from the Start menu.

• Click Library in the lower-left corner.

• Click Get updates to update Media Player and other Microsoft Store apps.

• Open Media Player again and try playing the MP4 file to see if the issue is resolved.

Method 6. Repair Corrupted MP4 Using 4DDiG Video Repair

Corruption can occur in your MP4 videos due to various reasons such as interrupted downloads, storage device issues, or software errors. If Windows Media Player cannot play MP4 due to which is corrupted, 4DDiG Video Repair can be used in an attempt to fix the video issues. This tool is packed with all the useful features that will let you repair your unplayable videos with ease and even make them look better, including:

• Quick and advance repair of corrupted video files in various format such as MP4, MKV, WMV, AVI, and more
• Resolve all kinds of video issues like video not opening, showing black screen, choppy, grainy, etc.
• Repair videos stored in SD cards, USB drives, SSD, HDD & CF cards.
• Repair videos recorded with Digital Camera, GoPro, DJI Drones, & CCTV.
• Serve as an AI video enhancer that can improve video quality and boost video resolution up to 8K
• Support batch processing of videos

Now, let’s explore how 4DDiG Video Repair can be used to fix the problem of the MP4 file not playing on Windows Media Player.

• Download the 4DDiG Video Repair tool and launch it on your computer. On the main interface, go to the ‘Video Repair’ section and select ‘Add Videos’ to upload the problem MP4 unplayable in Windows Media Player.

  FREE DOWNLOAD

  Secure Download

  FREE DOWNLOAD

  Secure Download

  BUY NOW BUY NOW
  

• Click on “Repair All” to commence the quick repair process

  

• Preview the repaired MP4 to see if it can play smoothly.

  

• If yes, pick one suitable output video format and click on the ‘Save All’ button to save those repaired videos to your computer.

  

Try playing the MP4 file in WMP now and check whether the issue has been resolved.

Also Read

How to Repair Corrupt MOV and MP4 Files with VLC?

Part 3. Windows Media Player Not Playing MP4 FAQs

Q1: How do I get Windows Media Player to play MP4?

To get Windows Media Player to play MP4 files, you can install a codec pack like K-Lite Codec Pack or Combined Community Codec Pack (CCCP) that includes the necessary codecs for MP4 playback. Also, you can convert the MP4 file to a format supported by Windows

Q2: Why won't my MP4 play on Windows 10?

It may lack the necessary codecs or the MP4 file might be corrupted. To repair the unplayable or corrupted MP4 video, consider 4DDiG Video Repair.

Q3: What does error 0x80070057 mean when playing MP4 in Media Player?

It usually means Media Player cannot process the file correctly. For MP4 playback, common causes include unsupported encoding settings, missing codecs, a broken Media Player app, or a corrupted MP4 file.

Q2: Why does my MP4 play in VLC but not in Windows Media Player?

VLC includes many built-in codecs, while Windows Media Player may rely on codecs installed in Windows. If the MP4 uses HEVC/H.265, AV1, or unusual encoding settings, Windows Media Player may fail even when VLC plays it.

Conclusion

It can be very frustrating when you are trying to open an mp4 file to watch it on your Windows system and it just does not open. When faced with a problem like Windows Media Player not playing mp4, you can take the help of this article. If you suspect that the mp4 file may be corrupted due to which the issue is cropping up, you can use 4DDiG Video Repair to repair it. This repair tool is highly recommended for any type of corrupted or damaged files.