Troubleshoot audio problems in Windows Media Center

Applies to: Home Premium, Ultimate.
Which edition of Windows Vista am I using?

Here are solutions to some common problems with audio in Windows Media Center.

Show all

Why aren't music files displayed in Windows Media Center?

Music might not appear in Windows Media Center for one of the following reasons:

•	No music has been added to the computer. You can insert a CD into the CD-ROM drive and click Copy CD to add it to the computer.
•	Music has been added to your computer but no music folder locations have been identified in Windows Media Center. To add folder locations, whether on your computer or on a network folder, using the mouse on the start screen, scroll to Music, and then click music library. See Add digital media files.
•	The folder location that contains music is not currently available because it is on a network that is turned off, your computer is not connected to the network, or the network location that contains your music is not available at that time. Make sure all computers are turned on and connected to the network.

Why doesn't album information or cover art display?

Album information or cover art may not display in Windows Media Center because the album information and cover art was not available when you copied the album to your computer. Make sure the computer is connected to the Internet when copying albums to your computer. Then, try to download available information about the album, including the cover art, by using Windows Media Player. For more information about adding or changing album art in Windows Media Player, see Add or change album art in Windows Media Player.

Sometimes album cover art may not display because it is in an unsupported file format. You can use Windows Media Player to download another cover art image in a different file format. (To do this, see Add or change album art in Windows Media Player.) You can also download the appropriate codec for that file format (In Windows Media Player, click Tools, click Download, and then click Download plug-ins.)

To go to Windows Media Player, do the following:

1.	In Windows Media Center, click Minimize .
2.	Click Start on the taskbar, and then click Windows Media Player.

Why does a codec error display when I try to play music?

If you get a codec error when playing an audio file, try opening the file in Windows Media Player. If you have configured Windows Media Player to automatically download codecs and the correct codec is available, the codec will be downloaded when you try to open the audio file in Windows Media Player. You must be connected to the Internet to download the codec.

To use Windows Media Player to do this, do the following:

1.	In Windows Media Center, click Minimize .
2.	Click Start on the taskbar, and then click Windows Media Player.
3.	On the Tools menu, click Download, and then click Download plug-ins.

Why isn't there sound?

You may not have sound for one of several reasons. Try the following:

•	Check that the volume is not turned down too low by turning up the volume (click VOL+ ).
•	Check whether the sound has been muted. (Click Mute to enable sound.)
•	Make sure your speakers are plugged in to the appropriate connection on your computer and working correctly.
•	Check whether the Microsoft Windows system volume needs adjustment. For more information about adjusting the volume in the Control Panel, see Adjust the speaker volume.
•	Make sure the appropriate selections are made in the DVD settings. (On the start screen, scroll to Tasks, click settings, click DVD, click DVD Language and then click the – or + under Audio track.) For audio to work as expected, you may need to configure the DVD Audio settings.
•	Try configuring your speakers using Set Up Your Speakers in Windows Media Center. (On the start screen, scroll to Tasks, click settings, click General, click Windows Media Center Setup, and then click Set Up Your Speakers.)
•	Make sure your audio card is recognized and has the latest drivers. See Updated drivers and Open Device Manager.

Why doesn't a music file play?

A music file may not play in Windows Media Center for any of the following reasons:

•	The file is not in a supported file format. See File types that are supported.
•	The file might be corrupt.
•	The file might be on a network location that is not currently available. Make sure all computers are turned on and connected to the network.
•	Your computer might not have updated media usage rights to play the file. Windows Media Center prompts you to download media usage rights before you can begin playing the file.

Why doesn't an audio CD play?

A CD might not play if your CD-ROM drive has been disabled. Check to make sure that your CD-ROM drive is enabled. For information about how to enable your CD-ROM drive, see Open Device Manager.

Also, a CD might not start automatically if the AutoPlay feature is turned off in Windows settings. For more information, see Change AutoPlay settings.

How can I change the program that AutoPlay opens when I plug in a device or insert a disc?

Follow these steps:

1.	Open AutoPlay by clicking the Start button , clicking Control Panel, clicking Hardware and Sound, and then clicking AutoPlay.
2.	To never see the AutoPlay dialog box, select Take no action next to the device or disc. To choose an action each time you plug in a device or insert a disc, select Ask me every time. To have a program open automatically each time, select the program.