Are you facing the error 0xC00D36E5 while playing any media file on the Media Player app? If yes, then it’s very annoying, and many Windows media users have been objecting to this issue. Now the question is how to fix it. Don’t worry! This post will provide some of the best solutions to fix Media Player error 0xC00D36E5, Item is unplayable error. So, let’s get started with the cause behind this error in the next part in detail.
Can’t play, Item is unplayable – please reacquire the content, 0xC00D36E5
Causes of the error 0xC00D36E5
When it comes to 0xC00D36E5 error, this can happen due to several reasons like
- Corrupted or damaged media file
- Unsupported file format
- Outdated or incorrect codecs
- Media Player configuration issues
So, we must focus on resolving these causes to fix this issue.
Fix Media Player error 0xC00D36E5, Item is unplayable
You can fix Can’t play, Item is unplayable – please reacquire the content, 0xC00D36E5 error message in Media Player in Windows 11/10, by following these suggestions.
- Change the USB stick or memory stick
- Check the file format
- Install the missing codecs
- Repair or replace the damaged media file
- Update Media Player app
- Reset Media Player settings
- Reinstall Media Player app
You will need an administrator account to execute most of these suggestions.
1] Change the USB stick or memory stick
If you are playing any file from your USB drive and facing the 0xC00D36E5 error on your Windows Media player, you must change the USB or memory stick, play the same file from another USB stick, and check whether your issue is fixed or not. According to a Reddit user, changing the USB stick works for him to resolve the 0xC00D36E5 error issue, so you must try it.
2] Check the file format
If you face the 0xC00D36E5 error on your media player, check the file format to see whether it supports your player. If not, then you can convert it to any other supported format. For example, if your file is in MP4 format and doesn’t support it, then convert it to AVI and try to run.
3] Install the missing codecs
Codecs are special software that can help play a media file. These files, when created, were done using a custom codec. If you are trying to play that file, you need the same codec installed on your PC. While there is no straightforward answer to this, if you have the codec, you can install it, or you will need to search the required Codecs based on the file extension.
Related: Custom audio not working in Windows 11 Video Editor
4] Repair or replace the damaged media file
Sometimes due to corrupt video files, you might face the 0xC00D36E5 error on the media player. In such a condition, you should either replace the file or if that is not possible then repair the damaged media file with the help of any third-party tool. Choose a reliable third-party tool to fix the damaged file and check whether your issue is resolved.
5] Update Media Player
The error can be see in the new Media Player app as well as the classic Windows Media Player. So it is best to update both.
You can manually update the Media Player app vis the Microsoft Store.
To update the classic Windows Media Player you need to run the Windows Media Player, press ALT+H on your keyboard, and click on the check for updates sections.
Now it will automatically access whether you have the latest Media Player version. If any update is available, it will automatically do it.
6] Reset Media Player app
You may want to consider resetting the Media Player app via Windows Settings.
After completing this process, rerun your file and check whether the 0xC00D36E5 error is fixed.
7] Reinstall Media Player
You can uninstall the Media Player app via Windows Settings > Apps > Installed apps > Media Player section, and then visit the Microsoft Store to download and install it.
In the case of the classic Windows Media Player follow the below steps to reinstall Windows Player properly.
- Left-click the Windows button and search for Control Panel.
- Under the Programs section, click Uninstall a program.
- Now, click Turn Windows features on or off on the left side panel.
- Now expand the Media Features folder
- Uncheck the Windows Media Player, and click the OK button.
- Now it will start uninstalling the Windows Media Player.
- Restart your computer and come to this setting agan – and this time select the Windows Media Player option, click OK, and restart your PC again
- Now check whether your issue is resolved or not.
I hope the post was easy to follow and you resolved the problem by following these effective solutions for the 0xC00D36E5 error issue on the Media Player.
How do you fix Media Player Cannot play this?
Media Player supports many file formats and can download new codecs when it detects new audio and video types. However, you must search for the required codec if you cannot play the file. The best place to look for the codec is from the source of the file, and you may need to work harder if you do not know the source.
How do I fix a corrupted Media Player?
The only way to fix a corrupted media player is to repair, reset or reinstall it as explained above in this post. If nothing else works, it’s time to switch to an alternative media player, as many of them can do a better job than Media Player.
