Windows Media Player Invalid File Format Error Message

ID: q234019

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows Media Player versions 6.1, 6.2

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to play a file with Windows Media Player, you may receive any of the following error messages:

Invalid File Format. (Error=8004022F)

The source filter for this file could not be loaded. (Error=80040241)

Cannot play back the file. The format is not supported. (Error=80040265)

No combination of filters could be found to render the stream. (Error=80040218)

Cannot play back the video stream: no suitable decompressor could be found. (Error=80040255)

CAUSE

This issue can occur if you are trying to play a file format that is not supported by Windows Media Player.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, verify that your file is one of the following file formats that is supported by Windows Media Player:

Windows Media formats File name extensions: .asf, .asx, .avi, .wav, .wax, .wma, .wm

Moving Pictures Experts Group (MPEG) File name extensions: m3u, mp2v, .mpg, .mpeg, .m1v, .mp2, .mp3, .mpa, .mpe, mpv2,

Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) File name extensions: .mid, midi, .rmi

Apple QuickTime, Macintosh AIFF Resource File name extensions: .qt, .aif, .aifc, .aiff, .mov

NOTE: If you are having problems playing Apple QuickTime files, you may need to upgrade to the latest version of QuickTime.

Unix File name extensions: .au, .snd

NOTE: If your file is not a type that is supported by Windows Media Player, contact the distributor of the file to inquire about the availability of a viewer for the file.

Additional query words:


Keywords          : kberrmsg kbui mplayer 
Version           : WINDOWS:6.1,6.2
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbprb

Last Reviewed: July 16, 1999