Fix NS_E_PDA_PARTNERSHIPNOTEXIST (0XC00D1184) Sync Error

When This Error Appears

You're trying to sync music or videos from Windows Media Player to your phone — maybe an old Windows Phone, an Android device, or a portable media player. You plug it in via USB, open WMP, and bam: a pop-up says "To perform the requested action, you must first set up sync with the device". The exact error code is 0XC00D1184.

I see this most often when someone switches phones or uses a device they haven't synced with before. It also happens after a Windows update resets the partnership settings. Or if you accidentally deleted the device from WMP's device list.

What's Really Going On

Windows Media Player keeps a little database of devices you've synced with. It calls this a "partnership". The error code 0XC00D1184 (which is NS_E_PDA_PARTNERSHIPNOTEXIST in programmer speak) just means WMP can't find your device in that database.

The fix is simple: you need to delete the old partnership info and let WMP create a fresh one. But it's not obvious how to do that. WMP's "sync" tab doesn't have a "forget device" button.

Step-by-Step Fix

Step 1: Disconnect Your Device

Unplug your phone or media player from the computer. Don't just leave it sitting there. Unplug it completely.

Step 2: Open Windows Media Player

Press the Windows key, type "Windows Media Player", and click the app. Wait for it to fully load — you should see your library show up.

Step 3: Delete Old Device Partnership

1. Click the "Sync" tab at the top of WMP. It's between "Burn" and "Play".
2. Look at the right side of the window. You'll see a list under "Other Devices". This shows any devices you've synced with before.
3. Right-click your device name in that list. If you don't see it, scroll down.
4. Click "Remove". A pop-up will ask if you're sure. Click "Yes".

After this, the device should disappear from the list. That's normal. You just cleared the old partnership.

Step 4: Plug Your Device Back In

Connect your phone or media player via USB. Wait 10-15 seconds for Windows to recognize it. You might hear the USB connection sound.

Step 5: Set Up Sync Again

1. In Windows Media Player, click the "Sync" tab again.
2. Your device should show up under "Devices" on the right side. If it doesn't, click "Refresh" at the top of the list.
3. Click your device name. WMP will ask: "Set up sync with this device?" Click "Yes".

Now you'll see the device's storage space and can drag music or videos to it.

Step 6: Try Syncing Something

Drag a single song from your library to the device name on the right. If it syncs without the error, you're golden. If you still get the error, close WMP completely and restart it — then try step 5 again.

If It Still Fails

Sometimes the partnership database gets corrupted. Here's what else to try:

• Check your USB cable. Try a different cable, especially if you're using a cheap one. Bad cables cause connection drops that confuse WMP.
• Try a different USB port. Plug into a port directly on your computer, not a hub. USB 2.0 ports work better for sync than USB 3.0 on some older devices.
• Restart both devices. Restart your computer and your phone or media player. Then start from Step 1.
• Update your drivers. Go to Device Manager (right-click Start > Device Manager). Look under "Portable Devices". Right-click your device and click "Update driver". Choose "Search automatically for drivers".
• Use Windows Media Player in Windows 8 compatibility mode. Right-click the WMP shortcut, click "Properties", then "Compatibility" tab. Check "Run this program in compatibility mode for:" and pick "Windows 8". Click OK and try again.
• Last resort: delete the partnership file manually. Close WMP. Press Windows key + R, type %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Media Player, and hit Enter. Delete the folder named "Sync Partners" (if it exists). Restart WMP and start fresh.

Most people get it working after Step 3-5. That delete-and-reconnect trick fixes 9 out of 10 cases. Good luck.