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Check what’s causing exception code 0xc0000005 error in Windows Media Player:
- Error in multiple applications: Corrupt or damaged system files or issue with system drivers and RAM.
- Error in only Windows Media Player: DLL files are missing or WMP updates aren’t installed properly.
- Error in only one video: Corruption in video file.
Exception code 0xc0000005 is faced by users on a regular basis. This error depicts memory access violation in your system and may cause sudden shutdown and freeze. Moreover, this error can cause some serious issues as well which may result in severe damage. Depending on the version of your Windows OS, the error message may occur like this:
or
Common errors associated with exception code 0xc0000005 error
There are mainly three common error types associated with the 0xc0000005 error code. Being familiar with the difference between these errors will help in choosing the right fix.
- Access Violation Error 0xc0000005: This error is related to a failed attempt to access an invalid memory address. This error arises when a program or a user tries to read or write a restricted or invalid part of memory. Usually, it occurs as a Blue Screen error displaying SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION (0x3B) or Exception: access violation (0xc0000005) error.
- Application Error 0xc0000005: The error “The application was unable to start correctly (0xc0000005). Click OK to close the application” appears upon launching any program if your application files are corrupted. Other reasons also include corrupt or missing DLLs and issues with Data Execution Prevention.
- 0xc0000005 Windows Update Error: This error typically occurs if any issue occurs during installation of Windows updates, or any problem occurs during configuration of the newly installed Windows updates.
Reasons behind the windows media player error 0xc0000005
This is a common error that you may encounter which needs to be fixed without any delay. First, you must know the reasons behind this error. Following are the most prominent reasons listed which may be causing this error:
- Virus and malware attack.
- Outdated or problematic Windows Media Player.
- Corrupted or damaged video files.
- Incompatible or faulty add-ins.
Methods to fix windows media player error 0xc0000005
There are different approaches to get rid of this Windows Media Player error 0xc0000005. Follow the below outlined methods carefully:
Method 1. Play videos in another media player
Before trying to attempt any of the given changes in the system files, first try playing your video files in another media player. This will help in determining if the problem is with all applications or with only one video file. Try playing your video file in another media player like VLC Media Player.
If it plays without a hitch, then the issue is related to Windows Media Player itself. If it doesn’t play or displays black screen during playback, then the video file is either damaged or corrupted.
Method 2. Try SFC command
There can be chances that corrupted and damaged files are causing this error. Run SFC command to find out the damaged and corrupt system files and replace them with the right files. The steps to do so are listed below:
- Press Windows + S keys and search Command Prompt. Now, right click on it and select Run as administrator.
- In the Command Prompt window, type sfc /scannow and press Enter.
Once done, you will need to restart the system and check if the problem still exists.
Method 3. Update Drivers
In some cases, updating drivers can resolve the error codes. Follow the instructions outlined below to update disk drives:
- Press Windows + R keys on your keyboard to open the Run dialogue box, and type devmgmt.msc and press Enter.
- Now, click on Disk drives, then right click on the given driver and select Update Driver Software option.
Method 4. Execute Clean Boot
Many a times, by executing system clean boot may fix the Windows Media Player error 0xc0000005. You can perform the below mentioned steps to do this:
- Press Windows + R keys and type msconfig and press Enter key.
- Now, go to Boot tab, and clear Safe Boot option under Boot options and press OK button.
Method 5. Check RAM
If you are facing a problem with memory, then check your RAM first. This can be done with Windows Memory Diagnostic. Follow the below mentioned steps to do so:
- In the search window, type Windows Memory Diagnostic and click on it.
- Now, click on Restart now and check for problems (recommended).
- Once done, you will be able to see the scan result.
Method 6. Check for Malware or Viruses
One of the reasons behind encountering error code 0xc0000005 is malware or virus attack. Check your system for any malware or viruses by following the steps given below:
- Open search windows, type Windows Security and click on it.
- Now, click on Viruses & threat protection.
- Moving ahead, scroll down and look for Scan Options under Quick scan option.
- Tick check box Microsoft Defender Offline Scan and tap on Scan now.
Method 7. Repair Registry
If your Registry is corrupted, then you may come across this error code. Repairing the Registry is not an easy task, one wrong step may lead to severe damage to your device. Follow the below mentioned steps carefully:
- Press Windows + R to open the Run dialogue box, then type regedit and press OK.
- Now follow the given path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\Windows\LoadAppInit_DLLs, then click on it and set the values from 0 to 1.
- Now, click OK and reboot your system.
How to determine if this is a media player issue or video file corruption issue?
It’s very easy to determine if the exception code 0xc0000005 error is occurring due to WMP error or not by just checking exactly when does this error occurs. This is what we’ve covered in the table below.
| Error type | Why it happens |
|---|---|
| Error appears in different applications | Windows system file corruption or issue with system’s RAM or drivers. |
| Windows Media Player shows Access Violation error 0xc0000005 | Corruption in Windows Media Player (WMP), DLL files are missing or corrupt WMP installed updates. |
| One video fails to play in every media player | Video file is either corrupted or damaged. |
Conclusion
Exception code 0xc0000005 in Windows 11 within Windows Media Player is an access violation issue that can happen because of corruption in system files, malware attack, or damaged RAM and system drivers. This blog provides you with all the essential measures which you can use to fix this error.
However, if the issue persists only when trying to play a single video, then the issue may lie with the video file only. The next logical step is to repair corrupted video files with a Video Repair software. Kernel Video Repair fixes video files of different formats like MP4, MOV, AVI, MKV, etc. in minutes. Analyze where and when this issue arises from and then opt for the most suitable way to fix it quickly.
