Fix 0XC00D2757 DRM Header Error in Windows

Quick answer

Delete the DRM folder under %ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\DRM and let Windows rebuild it.

Why this happens

This error pops up when Windows Media Player or any DRM-aware app tries to create a header object for protected content and fails. The culprit is almost always corrupted DRM data — usually a crash left files half-written, or an antivirus locked them mid-access. I've also seen it after a Windows update that didn't play nice with existing DRM licenses.

Think of the DRM store as a tiny database. If it gets out of sync, the whole chain breaks. The header object is the first link, so you get this cryptic error right out of the gate.

Fix steps

Close all media apps — Media Player, Movies & TV, anything that touches DRM. Check the taskbar, then check Task Manager for background processes.
Delete the DRM folder. Press Win+R, type %ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\DRM, hit Enter. Delete everything inside. Don't worry, you'll lose licenses for purchased content, but you can re-download most of it.
Restart your PC. Windows rebuilds the folder on next boot.
Try playback again. If it works, you're done. If not, move to the next step.

If that doesn't fix it

Sometimes the DRM store isn't the only problem. Here are the next things I check:

Run Windows Update. Sounds boring, but Microsoft ships DRM patches regularly. Skip it and you'll chase ghosts.
Re-register Windows Media Player. Open Command Prompt as admin and run:
```
regsvr32 wmp.dll
regsvr32 wmvdmoe2.dll
regsvr32 wmadmod.dll
```
Reboot after.
Check your date/time. DRM is picky about certificates. If your clock is off by more than a few minutes, header creation fails. Right-click the clock, select 'Adjust date/time', toggle on 'Set time automatically'.
Disable antivirus temporarily. Some AV suites lock DRM files during scans. Turn it off, test playback, then turn it back on. If that's the trigger, add an exclusion for C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\DRM.

When all else fails

If you're still stuck, you might have a deeper system corruption. Run sfc /scannow and DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth from an elevated prompt. It's a long shot, but I've seen it save a few machines.

Also, check if the file you're playing is actually DRM-protected. Ripped CDs or personal videos don't have DRM. If the error only appears on one file, it might be that file's header is corrupt — re-download it if you can.

Prevention tip

Don't let Windows Media Player be your only DRM manager. Use a dedicated player like VLC for unprotected stuff, and keep your DRM purchases in one place — like iTunes or a streaming service. Less moving parts means less chance of this mess.

And for the love of all that's holy, back up your DRM folder before you mess with it. A simple copy to a USB stick saves you from re-downloading a library of movies.