How to solve Media Player error: 0xc00d36b4 (This item is in a format we don’t support)

Users get error 0xc00d36b4 in Windows 10 when the built-in media player fails to play a particular video file. In such circumstances, the player skips the current video file and starts playing the next one. Some possible reasons for the error 0xc00d36b4 in Windows 10 include unsupported file format, media player goes into a limbo state, codec interference, etc. The error message you may see in Groove Music or Windows Media Player is:

Error 0xc00d36b4, This item is in a format we don’t support

If you face this issue, try the following suggestions:

1. Verify whether the file format is supported or not
2. Re-enable Windows Media Player or Reset Groove
3. Run the Playing Audio troubleshooter
4. Update drivers in Windows 10
5. Playback settings misconfiguration
6. Change the default audio format
7. Use a third-party video player.

1] Verify whether the file format is supported or not

Whenever you get this error on Windows 10 PC, the first step that you should take is to verify the file format. Sometimes the user plays a file that is not supported by Windows Media Player.

To know the format of a video file, right-click on it and select “Properties.” Some file formats that Windows Media Player supports include mp3, mp4, wma, 3gp, aac, etc. You can get a detailed list of supported file formats on the Microsoft website.

2] Re-enable Windows Media Player or Reset Groove

Sometimes when the Windows Media Player goes into a limbo state (neither opened nor closed), error 0xc00d36b4 is displayed that makes the app unable to run. In such a state, disabling and re-enabling the app can help. Here is how to do that:

1] First, force close the app using the Task Manager. For this, right-click on the “Taskbar” and select “Task Manager.” Now, select Windows Media Payer and click on the “End Task” button.

2] Press “Windows + R” keys on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box. Now, type “appwiz.cpl” and click OK. This will open the “Programs and Files” window.

3] Click on “Turn Windows features on or off” in the left panel.

4] Expand “Media Features” by clicking the “Plus” button. Uncheck “Windows Media Player.” You will get a popup, click Yes and then click OK.

5] Now, restart your PC and follow the above three steps to enable it again, and again restart your system. These steps may solve the issue.

If it is Groove Music that is throwing this error code, then we suggest you open Settings and Reset the Groove Music app.

3] Run the Playing Audio troubleshooter

Follow the steps to run the “Playing Audio” troubleshooter.

• Open the “Settings” app by right-clicking the “Start” menu and click “Update and Security.”
• Select “Troubleshoot” from the left panel and then click “Additional troubleshooters.”
• Click “Playing Audio” and then click “Run the troubleshooter.” Windows will detect the issues and repair them.

4] Update drivers in Windows 10

In some cases, users get 0xc00d36b4 error when the drivers of their system are not updated. Consider updating your system’s drivers.

5] Playback settings misconfiguration

The corrupt music tunes may also cause the error 0xc00d36b4. Follow the below-listed troubleshooting steps to configure the playback settings.

1] Press “Win + R,” type “Control Panel” and click OK.

2] Click “Hardware and Sound.”

3] Click “Sound.” It will open a new window.

4] Select “Speaker/Headphone” and click “Configure.” This will open a new window. Click on the “Test” button. If you get a message “Failed to play test tone,” write down that channel.

When testing gets completed, click on the “Next” button and uncheck all the error-generating audio tunes. After that restart your system and check whether the error still exists or not.

6] Change the default audio format

1] Repeat the first three steps listed in method 5 above to open the “Sound” window. Select “Speaker/Headphone” and click “Properties.” You can also open properties with right-click.

2] Now, go to the “Advanced” tab and change the default audio format from the drop-down menu. When you are done, click on the “Apply” button and then OK. You can set the previous values by clicking on the “Restore Defaults” button anytime.

7] Use a third-party video player

If none of the above solutions work for you, consider installing a third-party media player. There are many free 4K video players. You can download and install them on your PC. After installing, right-click the video file and select “Open with” option to play the video with the video player that you have installed.

Hope this article helped you solve the issue.