Fix NS_E_CD_SLOW_COPY (0XC00D0FAD) in Windows Media Player

This error pops up in Windows Media Player when CD ripping is too slow. The fix is simple: close other apps, disable data verification, and lower the rip speed.

That 'Slow Copy' Error Is a Pain—Here's the Fix

I know this error is infuriating. You pop in a CD, hit Rip, and right when you think it's working—bam—NS_E_CD_SLOW_COPY (0XC00D0FAD) with that patronizing message: "For best performance, do not play CD tracks while ripping them." You're not even playing music. So what gives?

The Real Fix: Stop Windows Media Player from Being Overly Cautious

Windows Media Player (WMP) throws this error when the rip speed drops below 4x. But the default settings don't allow you to override it. Here's what actually works:

Close everything else. Seriously—close Spotify, Chrome, any disc burning software, antivirus scans, or file transfers. The CD drive can't share bandwidth well. If you have a USB external drive, plug it directly into a USB 2.0 port (USB 3.0 can cause weird timing issues with older drives).
Disable 'Verify that ripped files are error-free' in WMP. This is the big one. Go to Tools > Options > Rip Music (if you don't see Tools, press Alt). Uncheck "Verify that ripped files are error-free." This check runs a full CRC comparison after each track, which doubles the time and triggers the slow copy error on older or scratched discs.
Set rip format to MP3 at 192 kbps or lower. Under the same Rip Music tab, drop the bitrate. You can always re-rip at higher quality later. The lower bitrate means less data to write per second, so the drive doesn't fall behind.
Use a different ripping tool. If the error still appears, WMP is being stubborn. Download Exact Audio Copy (EAC) or dBpoweramp (free trial). Both handle slow drives gracefully—they'll just slow down a bit instead of aborting. I prefer EAC for scratched CDs because it retries each sector without complaining.

After these changes, the rip should complete. If it still fails, the CD is likely scratched beyond what your drive can read—try a different drive.

Why This Works

WMP has a safety threshold. It expects a CD drive to read at 4x speed or faster. When the drive struggles (from a dirty lens, a scratched disc, or a background process stealing I/O), the read speed drops, and WMP panics. Disabling verification removes the biggest bottleneck—the post-rip CRC check—and lowering bitrate reduces write pressure on your hard drive. Together, they let the rip complete even if the read speed drops to 2x or 1x.

And yes, you can safely ignore the "don't play tracks" part. That warning is for people ripping from the same drive they're playing from, which splits the laser duty. You're not doing that, so the error is misleading.

Less Common Variations of This Error

Error on brand-new, clean CDs

If you get this error on a mint-condition disc, your CD drive's firmware is probably stuck in a slow read mode. Try this:

Open Device Manager (Win + X > Device Manager).
Expand DVD/CD-ROM drives, right-click your drive, and select Properties.
Go to the Advanced tab (if present) and check "Enable DMA" is on. If not, set it to DMA if available and reboot.

Error only when ripping to FLAC or WAV

Uncompressed or lossless formats stress the drive more because the data stream is larger. Switch to MP3 or WMA at 192 kbps for the rip, then convert to FLAC later using a free tool like Foobar2000.

Error after a Windows Update (most common on Windows 10 22H2 and Windows 11 23H2)

Some updates change the default power plan for optical drives. Go to Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options > Change plan settings > Change advanced power settings. Under DVD drive, set Turn off disc after to Never. Then reboot.

Prevention: Keep Your Drive and Discs Happy

This error is usually a symptom, not the root cause. To avoid it:

Clean your CD drive lens every six months with a lens cleaning disc (the one with a tiny brush). Dust on the lens reduces read speed by up to 40%.
Store discs vertically and away from sunlight. Scratches are the #1 reason for slow reads.
Don't use bundled burning software that installs background services (like Nero or Roxio). They often interfere with WMP's direct drive access.
Test rips with EAC once a year on a known-good disc. If EAC reports low drive speed (under 2x), your drive may be failing—replace it before you need to rip a rare CD.

That's it. The error is annoying but fixable in five minutes. If you're still stuck after trying these steps, your CD drive might just be old. They wear out after about 500 full rips. Time for a new one.