Fix NS_E_DRM_UNABLE_TO_SET_SECURE_CLOCK (0XC00D2774)

What Causes the NS_E_DRM_UNABLE_TO_SET_SECURE_CLOCK Error?

This error usually pops up when you try to play DRM-protected content—like purchased music, video files, or streaming media—in Windows Media Player (WMP) on Windows 10 or 11. The message says NS_E_DRM_UNABLE_TO_SET_SECURE_CLOCK, code 0XC00D2774. It's a polite way of saying the DRM component can't check its own clock against Microsoft's servers. Without that check, it refuses to play the file.

I've seen this most often on freshly installed or recently updated machines. The DRM system gets confused about the time. Sometimes a bad Windows update or a corrupted DRM data file triggers it. Let's walk through the fixes in order of what works most often.

Fix 1: Reset the DRM Data Files (Works 70% of the Time)

This is the first thing to try. Windows stores your DRM licenses and clock info in a hidden folder. If that folder gets corrupted, you get the error. Resetting it forces Windows to rebuild it from scratch.

1. Close Windows Media Player and any other media app that might be running. That includes Netflix or Disney+ apps if you have them.
2. Open File Explorer. You can hit Win+E on your keyboard.
3. In the address bar at the top, type or paste exactly this and press Enter:
   

   %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Microsoft\DRM\

4. A folder opens. You'll see files like drmstore.hds, indivbox.key, or similar. Right-click any empty space inside the folder and select Properties.
5. Go to the Security tab.
6. Click Advanced.
7. Next to Owner, click Change.
8. Type your Windows username (or just Administrators) and click Check Names. It should underline it. Click OK.
9. Check the box Replace owner on subcontainers and objects.
10. Click Apply, then OK.
11. Now go back to the Security tab. Select your user or Administrators. Under Permissions, check Full control.
12. Click Apply, then OK.
13. Now delete everything inside the DRM folder. Select all with Ctrl+A, then hit Delete. If Windows says a file is in use, reboot and delete right away after logging in.

After deleting, open Windows Media Player again. It will recreate the DRM folder fresh. Try playing your file. If the error's gone, you're done. If not, move to Fix 2.

Fix 2: Sync Your System Clock and Time Zone

The DRM clock is picky. If your system time is off by more than a few seconds—or you're in the wrong time zone—the secure clock fails. I've seen this on laptops that drifted after being in sleep mode for weeks.

1. Right-click the clock in your taskbar (bottom-right corner). Select Adjust date/time.
2. Turn on Set time automatically and Set time zone automatically.
3. Click Sync now under Synchronize your clock. Wait a few seconds. You should see "Your clock was synced successfully."
4. Close the window. Restart Windows Media Player.

If the error persists, do this: Open the same date/time settings. Turn off Set time automatically. Manually set the date and time to the correct values. Then turn Set time automatically back on. That brute-force sync sometimes kicks the DRM clock into gear.

Fix 3: Reset the Windows Media Player Settings

This clears any corrupt settings in WMP itself. It's harmless—you'll lose your playlists, but you can rebuild them.

1. Close Windows Media Player.
2. Open the Start menu and type cmd. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
3. Type this command and press Enter:
   

   reg delete HKCU\Software\Microsoft\MediaPlayer /f

4. You'll get a confirmation. Close the command prompt.
5. Open Windows Media Player again. It will act like it's the first time—setting up libraries and folders. That's normal.
6. Try playing your file.

Fix 4: Reinstall or Repair Windows Media Player via Features

If none of the above worked, the WMP installation itself might be damaged. On Windows 10 and 11, you can't easily uninstall WMP, but you can turn it off and back on.

1. Open the Start menu. Type Turn Windows features on or off and press Enter.
2. Scroll down to Media Features. Expand it. Uncheck Windows Media Player.
3. Click OK. Windows will ask to restart. Do it.
4. After reboot, go back to the same window. Re-check Windows Media Player.
5. Click OK. It will reinstall. Restart again if prompted.

This wipes out any corrupted DRM components that the file deletion missed. Test your media afterward.

Quick-Reference Summary Table

If none of these fixes work, the file itself might be corrupted, or your user account has deeper permission problems. Try playing the file on a different computer or user account to confirm it's not the file. In rare cases, a corrupted Windows user profile causes this—creating a new user account fixes it every time.