Windows 11 Media Player Closes Immediately After Opening

Windows 11, the latest version of Microsoft’s operating system, comes with an integrated media player for playing audio and video files. This media player, previously known as Groove Music, has been revamped and improved in Windows 11. However, some users have reported an issue where the Windows 11 Media Player closes immediately after opening. In this article, we’ll provide you with some comprehensive solutions to fix this problem.

Also see: How to Play AVI Files on Windows 11

Repair or reset the Media Player

The first solution you can try is to repair or reset the media player. This can resolve any software glitches or errors causing the media player to close immediately. Before doing this, ensure that you terminate the media player by following these steps:

1. Press Win + I to open the Windows Settings.
2. Click on Apps.
3. In the Apps & features section, search for “Media Player” and click on it.
4. Click on the Advanced options link.
5. Scroll down and click on the Terminate button to close any running instances of the media player.

Now that the media player is terminated, follow these steps to repair or reset the media player:

1. In the same Advanced options window, click on Repair. This option will attempt to fix any issues with the media player without affecting your personal settings or data.
2. If the issue persists after the repair, click on Reset. This option will reset the media player to its default settings and may resolve any underlying issues causing the problem.

After repairing or resetting the media player, try opening it again to see if the problem is resolved.

Useful tip: Clearing Recent Media History in Windows 11 Media Player

Reinstall the Windows 11 Media Player

If repairing or resetting the media player doesn’t work, you can try reinstalling it. Reinstalling the media player ensures that you have the latest version and can resolve any issues that might have been caused by corrupted or missing files. To do this, follow the steps below:

1. Press Win + I to open the Windows Settings.
2. Click on Apps.
3. In the Apps & features section, search for “Media Player” and click on it.
4. Click on the Uninstall button and follow the prompts to uninstall the media player.

After uninstalling the media player, you can reinstall it through the Microsoft Store:

1. Open the Microsoft Store app.
2. Search for “Windows Media Player” in the search bar.
3. Click on the app and then click on Install.

Once reinstalled, try opening the media player again to see if the issue is resolved. Keep in mind that reinstalling the media player might reset your personal settings and preferences, so you might need to reconfigure them after the reinstall.

Linked issue: Windows 11 Photos App Not Working or Crashing (Fix)

Try a clean boot and check if the Media Player will crash

Performing a clean boot can help you identify if any third-party applications or services are causing the media player to close immediately. A clean boot starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs, eliminating potential software conflicts. To perform a clean boot, follow these steps:

1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type msconfig and press Enter to open the System Configuration utility.
3. Click on the Services tab.
4. Check the box next to Hide all Microsoft services, then click on Disable all.
5. Switch to the Startup tab and click on Open Task Manager.
6. In the Task Manager, disable all startup items by right-clicking on each item and selecting Disable.
7. Close the Task Manager and click OK in the System Configuration window.
8. Restart your computer.

After performing a clean boot, open the media player to see if the problem persists. If the issue is resolved, it’s likely that a third-party application or service is causing the problem. You can then enable services and startup items one by one to identify the culprit. Remember to switch back to the normal startup configuration once you have identified the problematic software, by repeating the steps above and enabling the services and startup items.

Recommended fix: How to Startup Repair Windows 11/10 using Command Prompt

Play a different video file

The problem might also be due to a corrupted or unplayable video file. If the media player is closing immediately after attempting to open a specific video, try playing a different video file to see if the issue persists. If the media player works with other video files, the original file might be corrupted or unsupported.

In such cases, you can try the following:

1. Verify that the video file is compatible with Windows Media Player. Check the file extension and ensure it’s supported by the media player. The Windows 11 Media Player supports popular formats such as MP4, AVI, and WMV, among others.
2. Use a different media player, such as VLC, to play the video file. These media players support a wide range of formats and may be able to play the problematic file. They also provide additional features and customization options that can improve your media playback experience.
3. If you suspect that the video file is corrupted, try using a video repair tool to fix the issue. Video repair tools can help repair corrupted video files and make them playable again.
4. Check the hard drive where the video file is stored for any errors. You can use the built-in Windows CHKDSK utility to scan and fix errors on the hard drive. To do this, open a Command Prompt window with administrator privileges, type chkdsk /f X: (replace “X” with the drive letter), and press Enter. The utility will then scan the drive for errors and fix them if possible.

Handy guide: How to Play VOB Files on Windows 11

Update your graphics drivers

Outdated or incompatible graphics drivers can cause issues with the Media Player. Ensuring that your graphics drivers are up-to-date can help resolve the problem. To update your graphics drivers, follow these steps:

1. Press Win + X and click on Device Manager.
2. In the Device Manager, expand the Display adapters section.
3. Right-click on your graphics adapter and select Update driver.
4. Choose Search automatically for updated driver software and follow the prompts.

Once the graphics drivers are updated, restart your computer and check if the media player issue is resolved.

The issue of the Windows 11 Media Player closing immediately after opening can be quite frustrating, especially when you are in a rush to open a media content. Repairing, resetting or reinstalling the Media Player app should usually solve any problems it may have.

If none of the suggested solutions resolve the issue, you may need to dig deeper to identify the root cause. Check the Event Viewer by navigating to Windows Logs > Application for detailed error codes related to the media player. Use the provided information to begin further troubleshooting, either by searching online for specific solutions or by contacting official support channels for assistance.