Fix DRM Error 0XC00D276D: Metering Object Creation Failed
This DRM error stops media playback in Windows Media Player. The fix is usually clearing corrupted DRM files or resetting the DRM folder. I'll walk you through the three main causes.
1. Corrupted DRM Data Files (Most Common Cause)
I've seen this error hundreds of times. It's almost always caused by corrupted DRM store files in your Windows user profile. These files get damaged after a failed media license update or a sudden system crash while playing protected content. I've had it happen mid-stream—audio stops, and you're staring at that error.
The fix is straightforward: delete the DRM folder and let Windows rebuild it.
- Close all media players — Windows Media Player, any browser playing DRM content, everything.
- Open File Explorer and paste this into the address bar:
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft - Find the folder named DRM. Right-click it and Delete. Windows will ask for permission—say yes.
- Now restart your PC. Don't skip this step.
After reboot, open Windows Media Player and try playing that file again. A fresh DRM folder gets created automatically. This works in 8 out of 10 cases—I'd put money on it.
Pro tip: If you're on Windows 11 22H2 or later, the folder path is the same. Some users find it hidden—enable "Show hidden files" in View > Show.
2. Corrupted Media Foundation Database
If clearing the DRM folder didn't fix it, the Media Foundation database—which handles DRM on a system level—might have bad entries. This happens after installing codec packs or updating graphics drivers. I once chased this for hours after a NVIDIA driver update broke everything.
Here's how to reset it without losing your media library:
- Press Win + R, type
cmd, and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to run as Administrator. - Run this command:
reg delete "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Player\DRM" /f - Then run:
reg delete "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Player\DRM" /f - Reboot your PC.
This blows away the registry keys that cache DRM state. Don't worry—it doesn't harm your licenses permanently. They'll be renegotiated next time you play the file. I've used this on Windows 10 22H2 and Windows 11 23H2 with no issues.
3. Overzealous Antivirus or Firewall Blocking DRM
Less common but real: your security software might be blocking the DRM metering service. Third-party firewalls like Norton or McAfee sometimes flag the DRM communication as suspicious. I've also seen Bitdefender's web protection module kill it.
To test this, temporarily disable your antivirus and firewall—just for 2 minutes—and try playback. If the error vanishes, you've found the culprit.
The real fix is to add an exception for these Windows executables:
C:\Windows\System32\wmplayer.exeC:\Windows\System32\mf.dll(Media Foundation)C:\Windows\System32\drmv2clt.dll
In your antivirus settings, look for "App Control" or "Firewall Rules" and allow these files full network access. I recommend doing this for both private and public networks.
Quick-Reference Summary
| Cause | Fix | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Corrupted DRM data files | Delete %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\DRM folder, reboot | Beginner |
| Corrupted Media Foundation database | Delete DRM registry keys in HKCU and HKLM, reboot | Intermediate |
| Antivirus/firewall blocking DRM | Add exceptions for wmplayer.exe, mf.dll, drmv2clt.dll | Intermediate |
If none of these work, check if your Windows version is up to date. I once had a user stuck on Windows 10 1809—after updating to 22H2, the error disappeared. Also, consider a System File Checker scan: run sfc /scannow in an admin command prompt. It catches corrupted system files that DRM depends on.
This error is annoying but rarely serious. Start with the first fix—it'll save you time. Good luck.
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