How to Fix Windows Media Player Server Execution Failed

When you are trying to play music files using the Windows Media Player, you may at times notice Server execution failed error message popping up on the screen. On encountering this error message, you won’t be able to play any media files for some time. 

This error message appears if the Windows Media Player application is corrupted or damaged. Apart from that, corrupted music files, an outdated version of the Windows Media Player application, corrupted Java application can also lead to this error on the device. 

Fixes to “Windows Media Player Server Execution Failed” Error

There are various solutions by which you can easily get rid of the Server execution failed error on the device. Below we are going to provide some easy and effective solutions that can help you to resolve this error on your computer.

Solution 1 – End WMP in Task Manager

The first thing that you should do is end the WMP (Windows Media Player) in Task Manager. To do that, follow the steps given below.

1. Press the Ctrl + Shift + Esc buttons together to launch the Task Manager window.
2. In the Task Manager window, move to the Processes tab and locate Windows Media Player, select it and then click on the End Task option. 
3. After doing this, restart your computer and then try to open the Windows Media Player application.

Solution 2 – Turn Off the Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service

If the Windows Media Player Network sharing service is enabled then you may encounter this error on the device. Therefore, you need to disable it by following these steps:

1. Press the Windows Home key and R button at the same time to launch the Run box. 
2. Type services.msc and then click on the OK option or press the Enter key. 
3. Once you are in the Services window, scroll down the page until you find the Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service, right-click on it. After that, select Properties.
4. In the Properties window, set the Startup type to Disabled and then click on OK to save the changes.

Solution 3 – Register jscript.dll and vbscript.dll

• Press the Win + X buttons together to launch the WinX menu list and then choose Command Prompt (Admin).
• In the Command Prompt window, type the following commands and then hit the Enter key after typing each.

regsvr32 jscript.dll

regsvr32 vbscript.dll

• Once these commands are executed, restart your computer and then try to open the Windows Media Player. 

Solution 4 – Clean Boot your Device

In order to solve this problem, you can try performing a clean boot on the device. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Press the Win + R keys together to launch the Run box. 
2. Type msconfig and then click on the OK option or press the Enter key.
3. When you are in the System Configuration window, move to the Boot tab and then untick the Safe Boot button.
4. Thereafter, navigate to the General tab, click on the Selective startup button and then uncheck the Load startup items.
5. After that, move to the Services tab and then mark the box next to the Hide all Microsoft services button and then click on the Disable all option. 
6. Next, go to the Startup tab and then click on the Open Task Manager link. 
7. From the Task Manager window, navigate to the Startup tab, right-click on each item and then choose the Disable option. 
8. Once you are done with these steps, close the Task Manager window and then go back to the System Configuration window.
9. In that window, click on the Apply option followed by the OK button.
10. Now, reboot your device and then check if the error message still appears or not. 

Solution 5 – Add the Administrator Group to the Local Service

Adding the administrator group to the local service can help resolve the server execution failed error on Windows 7. The following steps will help you:

1. Right-click on the Start icon and select Command Prompt (Admin).
2. When you are in the Command Prompt window, type net localgroup “Administrators” “NT Authority\Local Service” /add and then hit the Enter key.
3. Once the command finishes executing, reboot your device and then launch the Windows Media Player. 

Solution 6 – Remove the Windows Media Player and Reinstall it

A corrupted Windows Media Player can cause this error on the system. Therefore, you need to remove the Windows Media Player application and then reinstall it. Below are certain steps that you can follow:

1. Press the Windows Home button and then choose Control Panel.
2. From the Control Panel window, go to the Programs & Features section and then look for the Windows Media Player application.
3. Select it and then click on the Uninstall option to remove it.
4. Once the uninstallation process is finished, restart the Windows device and then reinstall it.
5. To reinstall it, visit the Microsoft official website and download the latest version of the Windows Media Player application.
6. After downloading this file, install it properly.
7. Once it is installed, reboot the system and then check if it resolves the issue or not. 

Solution 7 –  Run the Video Playback Troubleshooter

Running the Video Playback troubleshooter can resolve the Windows Media Player server execution failed error from your computer. Go through these steps:

1. Press the Win + I keys together to launch the Settings window.
2. From the Settings window, double-click on the Update & Security section and then select the Troubleshoot tab.
3. In the Troubleshoot tab, scroll down the page until you find the Video Playback section, select it and then click on the Run the troubleshooter option to begin the process.
4. Once the process is over, restart your Windows computer and then check if the issue is solved or not. 

Solution 8 – Set Up a New Admin Account

A corrupted or missing user account can cause the Server execution failed error on the PC. So, you need to log in to the Windows built-in admin account to fix this issue. Follow these steps:

1. Launch the Command Prompt window.
2. Type net user administrator /active: yes and then press the Enter key to run it.
3. After executing this command, reboot your system.

Solution 9 – Edit the Registry

Using the registry editor, you can easily eliminate this problem on the system. Perform the following steps:

1. Open the Run box, type Regedit and then click on the OK option or hit the Enter key.
2. In the Registry Editor window, navigate to the following path: Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ Explorer\Shell Folders
3. Double-click on the Shell Folders and then type %USERPROFILE%\Documents’ in the Value Data box.
4. After performing this, click on the OK option and then reboot the system. 

Solution 10 – Reinstall the Java Application

If the above fixes do not resolve the issue, then you can try to reinstall the Java application. If you do not know how to do that, then follow the under mentioned steps:

1. Hit the Start button and then click on the Settings icon.
2. Go to the Apps section and then select the Apps & Features tab on the left navigation pane.
3. On the right, scroll down the page and find the Java application, select it and then click on the Uninstall option.
4. After uninstalling it, restart the device and then try to reinstall it.
5. For that, go to the Java official website and download and install the latest version of the Java application.
6. Once the installation process is complete, reboot the computer. 

These are then fixes following which you will be able to resolve the Windows Media Player server execution failed error on the Windows PC.