Every now and then, when you close Windows Media Player(WMP) and at once try to open another file via WMP, Server execution failed error might pop up. This is because even though the Media player UI is closed, the program will be still active in the background.
Possible causes for the Windows Media Player server execution failed error are:
- Inactive Windows media player network service
- An issue with the user account
- Other software conflicts with the Windows Media Player, etc.
This article will help you troubleshoot the issue sequentially, isolating every possibility one by one.
Methods to Fix Windows Media Player Server Execution Failed error
Follow the below given methods to fix Server execution failed error in Windows media player. Perform each method one by one and verify if the error still persists.
Method 1: Close Windows Media Player from the Task Manager
- Press CTRL, Shift and Esc keys at a time to open Task manager.
- Under the Processes tab, find Windows Media Player and select it.
- Click the End task button located at the bottom right corner.
Now, play the AVI file again and check for the error Windows Media Player server execution failed. If you still encounter the same error go on to the next method.
Method 2: Disable Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service
- Open Run app by holding Windows and R keys simultaneously.
- Type services.msc and click OK.
- Under Services (Local), right-click on Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service. Select Properties.
- In the General tab, Disable the Startup type and hit OK.
Now, reboot the system and check for Windows Media Player server execution failed error is resolved by playing the desired video.
Method 3: Register jscript.dll and vbscript.dll
From the Start menu, search Command Prompt, right-click on it and select Run as administrator.
- Click Yes in UAC (User Account Control) prompt.
- Type regsvr32 jscript.dll and press Enter key
- Wait until the registration gets succeeded.
- Next, type regsvr32 vbscript.dll and hit Enter button.
- Wait until the registration gets succeeded.
Close the Command Prompt and restart Windows Media Player to check server execution failed error is solved. If the error Server execution failed still exists, try the next method.
Method 4: Add the Administrator Group to Local Service
Permitting the Windows Local Service account administrative rights might sometimes help you fixing the problem. The instructions for this procedure are below:
- Open Command Prompt as admin.
- Type net localgroup “Administrators” “NT Authority\Local Service” /add and hit Enter key.
- Close the CMD window and restart your system.
If granting administrative rights to Windows local service didn’t help you resolving the error, try the next given method.
Method 5: Perform System Restore
If you have created restore points, then restoring your system to the time where the Windows Media player was working fine might help you to resolve the issue server execution failed.
- From the Start menu, open All Programs, go to Accessories and select System Tools. Open the System Restore and provide the password if, prompted (in older Windows).
- In later versions of Windows like 10, 8 directly search for System Restore at Start menu and open Create a restore point app.
- Select the most recent restore point/date and go Next.
- Click the Finish button to start system restore process.
This process only works if you have created a restore point. If you have no restore point, try the next method to solve the error.
Method 6: Reinstall Windows Media Player
- Open Programs and Features from the Control Panel.
- Click Turn Windows features on or off.
- Under Media Features, uncheck Windows Media Player and hit OK.
- Restart the system and again open Turn Windows features on or off the wizard.
- Check (enable) Windows Media Player.
If any of the above mentioned methods did not work for you, verify whether your media file works on other media players or not. This error could be the result of corrupt or damaged media files including MOV, AVI, or MP4 files that won’t play in Windows Media player.
If the video file which you are trying to play on WMP is broken and if fails to play on any of the media players, you can easily fix the errors using a reliable video repair tool like Remo Repair.
Irrespective of the cause behind file errors, this software can assuredly repair any damaged MP4 file and MOV videos and make them playable again.