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Support for Windows 7 ended on January 14, 2020

We recommend you move to a Windows 11 PC to continue to receive security updates from Microsoft.

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Here are solutions to some common problems with audio in Windows Media Center.

You can also try running a troubleshooter to diagnose and fix common sound playback problems, or a troubleshooter to diagnose and fix common CD or DVD drive problems.

To run a sound playback troubleshooter

  1. Select this button:

    Picture of a Fix it button  


    Fix this problem

  2. In the File Download dialog box, select Run, and then follow the steps in the wizard.

To run a CD or DVD drive troubleshooter

  1. Select this button:

    Picture of a Fix it button  

    Fix this problem

  2. In the File Download dialog box, select Run, and then follow the steps in the wizard.

Music might not appear in Windows Media Center for one of the following reasons:

  • No music has been added to the computer. You can insert a CD into the CD-ROM drive and select Copy CD to add it to the computer.

  • Music has been added to your computer but no music folder locations have been identified in Windows Media Center. To add folder locations, whether on your computer or on a network folder, using the mouse on the start screen, scroll to Music, and then select music library.

  • The folder location that contains music is not currently available because it is on a network that is turned off, your computer is not connected to the network, or the network location that contains your music is not available at that time. Make sure all computers are turned on and connected to the network.

Album information or cover art may not display in Windows Media Center because the album information and cover art was not available when you copied the album to your computer. Make sure the computer is connected to the Internet when copying albums to your computer. Then, try to download available information about the album, including the cover art, by using Windows Media Player.

Sometimes album cover art may not display because it is in an unsupported file format. You can use Windows Media Player to download another cover art image in a different file format.  You can also download the appropriate codec for that file format (In Windows Media Player, select Tools, select Download, and then select Download plug-ins.)

To go to Windows Media Player, do the following:

  1. In Windows Media Center, select Minimize Picture of the Minimize button.

  2. Select Start Start button icon  on the taskbar, and then select Windows Media Player.

If you get a codec error when playing an audio file, try opening the file in Windows Media Player. If you have configured Windows Media Player to automatically download codecs and the correct codec is available, the codec will be downloaded when you try to open the audio file in Windows Media Player. You must be connected to the Internet to download the codec.

To use Windows Media Player to do this, do the following:

  1. In Windows Media Center, select Minimize Picture of the Minimize button.

  2. Select Start Start button icon  on the taskbar, and then select Windows Media Player.

  3. On the Tools menu, select Download, and then select Download plug-ins.

You may not have sound for one of several reasons. Try the following:

  • Check that the volume is not turned down too low by turning up the volume (select VOL +   Picture of the Volume control buttons).

  • Check whether the sound has been muted. (Select Mute Picture of the Mute button  to enable sound.)

  • Make sure your speakers are plugged in to the appropriate connection on your computer and working correctly.

  • Check whether the Microsoft‌ Windows system volume needs adjustment.

  • Make sure the appropriate selections are made in the DVD settings. (On the start screen, scroll to Tasks, select settings, select DVD, select DVD Language and then select the – or + under Audio track.)

    For audio to work as expected, you may need to configure the DVD Audio settings.

  • Try configuring your speakers using Set Up Your Speakers in Windows Media Center. (On the start screen, scroll to Tasks, select settings, select General, select Windows Media Center Setup, and then select Set Up Your Speakers.)

  • Make sure your audio card is recognized and has the latest drivers.

A music file may not play in Windows Media Center for any of the following reasons:

  • The file is not in a supported file format.

  • The file might be corrupt.

  • The file might be on a network location that is not currently available. Make sure all computers are turned on and connected to the network.

  • Your computer might not have updated media usage rights to play the file. Windows Media Center prompts you to download media usage rights before you can begin playing the file.

A CD might not play if your CD-ROM drive has been disabled. Check to make sure that your CD-ROM drive is enabled.

Also, a CD might not start automatically if the AutoPlay feature is turned off in Windows settings.
 

Follow these steps:

  1. Open AutoPlay by selecting the Start button Start button icon, selecting Control Panel, selecting Hardware and Sound, and then selecting AutoPlay.

  2. To never see the AutoPlay dialog box, select Take no action next to the device or disc. To choose an action each time you plug in a device or insert a disc, select Ask me every time. To have a program open automatically each time, select the program.

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