When This Error Shows Up
You'll see the NS_E_INPUTSOURCE_PROBLEM error, code 0XC00D1B8A, when you try to play live TV, record something, or watch a video file in Windows Media Center. It also happens in some streaming apps like VLC or Plex when they try to grab video from a capture card or webcam. The message says something like "One or all of the specified sources are not working properly."
I've seen this most often after a Windows update, or when you plug in a new TV tuner or HDMI capture device and the drivers don't get installed right. Sometimes it's just a loose cable, but other times it's a deeper driver conflict.
What Causes It
The error means Windows can't talk to the hardware that provides the video or audio signal. The source device—like a TV tuner card, webcam, HDMI capture dongle, or even an old sound card—isn't responding the way the software expects. Common triggers:
- Driver got corrupted or was overwritten by Windows Update.
- The device is plugged into a USB port that doesn't have enough power. This happens a lot with USB capture cards.
- Cable is loose or damaged. HDMI cables are the worst for this.
- Another program already locked the device. For example, if Skype is using your webcam, Windows Media Center can't use it too.
How to Fix It
I've fixed this dozens of times. Here's the order I always use—skip the fancy stuff first and check the basics.
Step 1: Check the Cables and Ports
Sounds dumb, but I've seen people spend hours reinstalling drivers when the problem was just a loose HDMI plug. Unplug the cable from both ends, then plug it back in firmly. If you're using a USB device, try a different USB port—especially one on the back of the PC, not the front. Front ports sometimes don't give enough power.
After you do this: Restart the program that gave the error. If it still fails, go to Step 2.
Step 2: Look for Driver Problems in Device Manager
Open Device Manager. Press the Windows key + R, type devmgmt.msc, and hit Enter. Look for any devices with a yellow exclamation mark. Those are the problem ones.
Common places to check:
- Sound, video and game controllers — for capture cards or webcams.
- Universal Serial Bus controllers — if the device is USB, sometimes the USB host controller driver is messed up.
- Imaging devices — some webcams show up here.
Right-click the device with the yellow mark, choose Update driver, then Search automatically for drivers. Windows will look for a matching driver online. If it says the best driver is already installed, try right-clicking again, choose Uninstall device, then restart your PC. Windows will reinstall the driver on startup.
After you do this: Open the app again. If the error is gone, you're done. If not, move to Step 3.
Step 3: Kill Other Apps That Might Be Using the Device
Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc). Look for any app that could be using your camera, mic, or TV tuner. Close Skype, Zoom, Discord, OBS, or any streaming software. If you're not sure, restart your PC completely—that closes everything cleanly.
After you do this: Open Windows Media Center or your streaming app first, before opening any other program. If it works, you know another app was hogging the device.
Step 4: Run the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter
This is a Windows built-in tool that often catches the problem. In Windows 7, 8, or 10, go to Control Panel > Troubleshooting > Hardware and Sound. Click Hardware and Devices. Follow the on-screen prompts. It will tell you if there's a driver issue or a hardware failure.
After you do this: Check if the error is gone. If you're on Windows 10, you can also open Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters and run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter from there.
What to Check If It Still Fails
If you've done all four steps and the error still shows up, you might be dealing with a dead device. Try the capture card or tuner on another computer. If it works there, the problem is your PC's motherboard or USB controller. If it doesn't work on the other computer either, the hardware itself is bad. Replace it.
Also check if the device needs a separate power adapter. Some USB capture cards come with a power brick. If you're relying on USB power alone, it might not be enough.
One last thing: if you're using an old TV tuner card that was made for Windows 7, it might not work on Windows 10 at all. Manufacturers stopped updating drivers for those years ago. In that case, you really need to buy a newer device.