Fix NS_E_WMP_DRM_NO_RIGHTS (0XC00D11DC) in Windows Media Player
Quick fix: Re-acquire the media license by deleting the DRM folder or re-downloading the file. This error means your copy of Windows Media Player doesn't have permission to play a protected file.
Quick answer
Delete the DRM folder (C:\Users\[YourName]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\DRM), then restart Windows Media Player and try playing the file again. It forces WMP to re-acquire the license from the internet.
Why you're seeing this
This error pops up when Windows Media Player can't find or validate a DRM (Digital Rights Management) license for a protected file—usually an old WMA or WMV from a purchased store like Napster, Amazon MP3, or even old Zune content. The file itself is fine, but the license that says 'you bought this, go ahead and play it' is missing or expired. I've seen this a ton with legacy media from 2005-2010. A client last month had a whole folder of WMA downloads from an old music subscription service—totally unusable until we fixed this.
Fix steps
- Close Windows Media Player completely. Don't just minimize it—kill the process in Task Manager if you have to.
- Open File Explorer and paste this path:
%LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\DRM. Hit Enter. - Delete everything inside the DRM folder. If Windows says files are in use, restart your PC and try again. Don't delete the folder itself—just its contents.
- Launch Windows Media Player again. It'll rebuild that folder fresh.
- Try playing the protected file. WMP will reach out to the license server online to re-acquire the rights. You need internet for this step.
Alternative fixes if that doesn't work
- Repair Windows Media Player: Go to Settings > Apps > Optional features > Windows Media Player > Advanced options > Repair. On Windows 11, it's under Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
- Re-download the file from your account. If it's from a store like Amazon or old Zune marketplace, log in and grab a fresh copy. The new file should come with a valid license.
- Use a DRM removal tool. If it's your own content and you have legal rights, something like
DRM Removal ToolorSoundTaxican strip the protection. I've used these for clients who lost access to their old purchases. - Switch to VLC media player. VLC doesn't care about DRM—it'll play unprotected files fine. But if the file is still locked, VLC won't help either. Try re-downloading first.
Prevention tip
Never rely on DRM-protected files for long-term storage. Convert any protected music or video to an open format like MP3, FLAC, or MP4 with a tool like Audacity or HandBrake while you still have the license. If the store goes under or your account gets deleted, you're stuck. I back up everything as plain MP3s for this exact reason.
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