Windows Media Player cannot find the file.

Question

I get this message when I try to play many of the songs in my library.  They are still on the harddrive and I have not changed anything with the files since the last time I played them without problems.  The only thing that I have done related to music is upload to my new TomTom Device.  In that case I uploaded just one playlist.  It does not contain many of the songs that now won't play in Media Player and I only mention it because i cannot think of anythiing else that might have corrupted the library.

I see a few have suggested rebuilding the library but I'm concerned because the playlists were only created in Media Player that they will be lost if I delete the current library?

I'm not tech savvy - need a simple solution with clear instructions,  Thanks!

Answer 1

Hi - which OS are we talking about because WMP12 is part of the system these days. I don't think your TomTom device will be involved... it's more likely a Windows update issue if you are certain you have not altered or moved anything. Rebuilding the library will only serve to restore broken links, but let's check...

Open media player - find one of the songs that won't play... check that it still won't play. Then right-click it and select 'Open file location'  - if the track opens in 'explorer' it is not a library link problem. Then with the track opened in explorer, select it there - right click and select 'Play'. If that also fails it's definitely a system problem.

Update when you have tried these tests. - Thanks, Ric.

Answer 2

Hi, Thanks Ric,

.

I'm running Window's 10 - was originally 8 but installed the 10 update last year.

The problem seems to only arise if I try to open items from a playlist.  It says it can't find them.  If I go to the search pane and find the song manually I can play it.  If I do as you suggest and right click and open file location nothing happens.

Thanks!

Answer 3

Hi - so nothing if you click 'open file location' means the links have been broken. You'll probably need to reconstruct the playlists in that case. Before doing that just confirm - if you go to the song in WMP outside of the playlist (so under album - artist etc.) does 'Open File Loc.' work then?

Answer 4

Thanks Ric,

Yes,  If I open them from a search of the library open file location works and I can play them fine also.  It's just the play lists that don't work.  Oddly, some playlists are fine, others mostly fine and a few have quite a few broken links.  Ideas on why?

Thanks,

Christine

Answer 5

If all the files are OK it's probably simplest to replace the messed up tracks. I'm not sure why this has happened - but rebuilding the database wouldn't repair the links so it's about the only option anyway.

Test this works by re-adding one of the lost tracks to the list... then delete the broken one. Usually broken ones will appear incorrectly when you open the playlist in wmp - example below (I deliberately deleted and then restored the highlighted track - but although it's back in the library the playlist link is done for!)