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Error Message: "Windows Media Player cannot play the file because the specified protocol is not supported. (C00D11BB)"


The mostly possible cause of this error message is either that the communication protocol of the player does not work (as the message goes), or that an essential file of the player is collapsed.


Communication Protocol


On Windows Media Player, select [Tools] -> [Options] menu. On the Option window, click "Network" tab. In the "Streaming Protocol" section, please make sure that UDP, TCP and HTTP are all checked. The player selects one automatically if multiple protocols are checked, and the player causes an error if the selected protocol does not work in fact. If you have this error even every protocols are all checked, please see what happens when only one protocol is checked. For example, check HTTP only and leave the others unchecked. Then try to play.


Collapse of an Essential File


If the file named WMSDKNS.XML is collapsed, you will encounter one of following symptoms when you try to play a streaming audio/video (appendix for technical experts is available at the bottom). ・Version 9 and later shows the error message “Windows Media Player cannot play the file because the specified protocol is not supported.” The hexadecimal ID number of the error is C00D11BB. ・Version 8 (for Windows XP bundled only) shows the error message "Cannot play the file" ( C00D1197 is the hexadecimal ID number) if this page shows you that the DRM component currently installed in your computer is version 9 or later. Otherwise this version is independent from the file and is free from this symptom. ・Version 7.1 shows an error message (the message is varied and is not specified) if this page shows you that the DRM component currently installed in your computer is version 9 or later. Otherwise this version is independent from the file and is free from this symptom. ・Version 6.4 is independent from the file and is free from this symptom. The easiest way to fix this is to delete the folder contains the file. Open folders in following order and delete the last one. If there are multiple folders (e.g. "9.0" and "10.0"), you can delete all of them.


Windows Vista


These folders are set as hidden files property. For showing hidden attributed files and folders: click [Start]/[Control Panel] and Switch to Classic View then you can see [Folder Options] , select this and go to advanced setting of [View] tab and check “Show hidden files and folders”in Hidden files and folders. 1. My Computer 2. (System disk -- e.g. “Local Disk (C:)”) 3. Users 4. (Logon user name of Windows -- e.g. “John Doe”) 5. AppData (may have the “hidden” property -- see above note) 6. Local 7. Microsoft 8. Windows Media 9. (Version number of the player -- e.g. “11.0”) -- delete all folders here

Typical path is: C:\Users\ (User name)\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Media\ (Version)

Windows XP/2000

Note. Some folders listed below has the "hidden" property. To show hidden files and folders: open any folders such as My Computer or My Documents and select [Tools] -> [Folder Options]. Click "View" tab. In "Advanced settings" list, check "Show hidden files and folders". 1. My Computer 2. (System disk -- e.g. "Local Disk (C:)") 3.Documents and Settings 4. (Logon user name of Windows -- e.g. "John Doe") 5. Local Settings (may have the "hidden" property -- see above note) 6. Application Data (may have the "hidden" property -- see above note) 7. Microsoft 8. Windows Media 9. (Version number of the player -- e.g. "9.0") «- delete all folders here

Typical path is: C:\Documents and Settings\ (User name)\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows Media\ (Version)


Windows ME/98

1. My Computer 2. (System disk -- e.g. "Local Disk (C:)") 3. (Windows system folder -- e.g. "WINDOWS") 4. Application Data 5. Microsoft 6. Windows Media 7. (Version number of the player -- e.g. "9.0") «- delete all folders here

Typical path is: C:\WINDOWS\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows Media\ (Version)


Technical Appendix


The content of the file WMSDKNS.XML; is the definition of XML Name Space used by software developed with Windows Media SDK. When the player (both version 9 and 10, as of July 12, 2005) detects an anomaly of existing XML file, it renames the file as a backup and create a new one. But the newly created file at this moment does not contain enough content for the player to work. This is the direct cause of this symptom. When the XML file is not existed, the player creates a new one with appropriate content.