Fix NS_E_PDA_TRANSCODE_CODEC_NOT_FOUND 0XC00D1245

Quick answer for advanced users

Install the K-Lite Codec Pack Basic or re-register Windows Media Player's codecs by running regsvr32 wmp.dll from an admin command prompt.

Why you're seeing this error

This pops up when you try to sync a music or video file from Windows Media Player to a portable device — like an old iPod, a Zune, or an Android phone. The file's audio or video format isn't recognized by the transcoder Windows Media Player uses to convert it for the device. I see this most often with FLAC files, OGG Vorbis, or MP4 videos encoded with newer codecs like HEVC. Windows Media Player 12 on Windows 10 and 11 dropped support for a bunch of older codecs, so the transcoder just can't handle them anymore. The device itself might also be missing the codec, but usually it's the PC side that's broken.

How to fix it

Step 1: Install a codec pack

This is the fix that works 9 times out of 10. Windows Media Player relies on DirectShow codecs installed on your system. Microsoft removed several from Windows 8 onward to save space and avoid licensing fees.

1. Go to the K-Lite Codec Pack Basic download page (codecguide.com).
2. Download the latest stable version. As of 2024, that's 18.4.0.
3. Run the installer. Accept the defaults — you only need the Basic pack.
4. After it finishes, restart your PC. Don't skip this.
5. Open Windows Media Player and try syncing the file again.

After the restart, you should see the file convert and transfer without the error. If you still see 0XC00D1245, move to Step 2.

Step 2: Re-register Windows Media Player's codecs

Sometimes the codec registration gets corrupted. This fixes that.

1. Press Windows Key + X and select Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin).
2. Type this command and press Enter: regsvr32 wmp.dll
3. You'll see a popup that says DllRegisterServer in wmp.dll succeeded. Click OK.
4. Now run this one too: regsvr32 wmvdmoe2.dll
5. Close the command prompt.
6. Try syncing again.

Step 3: Convert the file to a compatible format manually

If the above steps don't work, the problem might be the file itself — especially if it's an obscure format or a copy-protected file.

1. Open Windows Media Player.
2. Go to the Library tab.
3. Right-click the problem file and select Properties.
4. Look at the Format field. If it says FLAC, OGG, or something weird, that's your issue.
5. Use Audacity (free) or VLC to convert it to MP3 (320 kbps) or WMA.
6. Add the converted file to your WMP library and sync it.

Alternative fixes if the main steps fail

• Try a different USB cable or port. Sounds silly, but a flaky connection can make the device appear as a generic mass storage device instead of a portable media player, confusing WMP's transcoder.
• Update your device's firmware. Old Zunes, Sansa Clip+, and Sony Walkmans all received firmware updates that expanded codec support. Check the manufacturer's site.
• Use VLC or Winamp instead. Both handle codecs better than WMP. VLC can sync to devices using its Send to Device feature. It's less fussy about codecs.
• Disable Windows Media Player's transcoding entirely. Go to Tools → Options → Devices, select your device, click Properties, and choose Manual (convert only if needed). This forces WMP to copy the file as-is, which works if your device natively supports the format.

Prevention tip

Stick to MP3 or WMA for audio and WMV for video when syncing with Windows Media Player. These are the only two collections of codecs that Microsoft still fully supports in the transcoder. If you grab music in FLAC for quality, keep a duplicate in MP3 for portable use. That way you won't hit this error when you want to load up a new playlist.