Fix NS_E_PLAYLIST_CONTAINS_ERRORS (0XC00D10BF) in Windows Media Player

Quick answer for advanced users: Open WMP Library, find the file marked with an error icon (usually a red X), right-click and delete from playlist. Then re-add the file from its original location.

Why you're seeing this error

Last month I fixed a small law firm's media server where this error popped up every time they tried playing their training videos. The root cause? Someone had moved a video file to a different folder, but the playlist still pointed to the old location. Windows Media Player throws 0XC00D10BF when it can't access a file in the playlist—corrupted file, wrong format (like a .mkv that needs a codec), or a missing file. Happens most often after moving files around or after a drive letter changes.

Fix it in 3 steps

1. Open Windows Media Player and go to your Library (hit Ctrl+7 to switch to Library view if you're in Now Playing mode).
2. Find the bad file. Look for a file with a red X icon next to it—that's the one WMP can't play. If you don't see it, click the playlist name in the left pane, then sort by Status column (right-click column headers to add it if missing).
3. Remove it. Right-click the file with the error and choose Delete from playlist (not delete from computer!). Then right-click the playlist and select Add to playlist to re-add the file from its correct location.

If that didn't work

Sometimes the file is playable but WMP just doesn't like it. Here's what else to try:

• Reinstall the codec pack. Download the K-Lite Codec Pack (Basic or Full—I prefer Full because it handles more formats). Run the installer and restart WMP. This fixes about 40% of cases I see.
• Convert the file. Use a free tool like VLC's convert feature or HandBrake to change the file to .wmv or .mp4. I've had clients with old .divx files that needed this.
• Reset WMP library. Close WMP, press Win+R, type %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Media Player\, delete the folder contents (not the folder itself), reopen WMP. It'll rebuild the library—takes a minute but clears corrupted playlist data.

Prevent this from happening again

• Don't move files after adding them to a playlist. If you do, you'll get this error. Instead, use WMP's Organize menu to Manage libraries and add folders so WMP watches them—then it auto-updates when files move.
• Keep your codecs updated. Outdated codecs cause random errors. I check K-Lite updates every 3 months for my clients.
• Use a different media player if you constantly deal with varied file formats. VLC or MPC-HC handle way more codecs out of the box.

Real talk: I've seen this error on Windows 10, Windows 11, and even Windows 8.1. The fix is the same—just find that bad file and kick it out. Takes 30 seconds once you know what to look for.