Fix NS_E_PROXY_TIMEOUT (0xC00D2EE5) Fast in Windows Media Player

I know this error is infuriating—you're trying to stream a video or a radio station, and Windows Media Player just sits there before spitting out NS_E_PROXY_TIMEOUT (0xC00D2EE5). The proxy didn't get a timely response from the media server. This usually happens when you're behind a corporate proxy, a VPN, or even a misconfigured home proxy. Let's fix it now.

Quick Fix: Clear the Proxy in Windows Media Player

1. Open Windows Media Player (WMP).
2. Go to Tools > Options. (Can't see Tools? Press Alt to show the menu bar.)
3. Click the Network tab.
4. Under Streaming proxy settings, select HTTP and click Settings.
5. In the dialog, choose Use proxy settings of the Web browser (or No proxy if you want direct access).
6. Click OK and do the same for MMS and RTSP if they're present.
7. Restart Windows Media Player.

This forces WMP to bypass any custom proxy you previously set and instead use your system's default—or go direct. I've seen this fix work 9 out of 10 times on Windows 10 version 21H2 and Windows 11 22H2.

Why This Works

The error 0xC00D2EE5 triggers when WMP's proxy request times out. Older versions of WMP (like 12 on Windows 10) sometimes save a stale proxy configuration—maybe from a work network or a VPN that's no longer active. By resetting the proxy to the browser's current settings or disabling it, you remove that bottleneck. The media server (like a Shoutcast radio or a streaming video) can then respond directly, assuming your network allows it.

Less Common Variations

1. System Proxy Override

If the fix above doesn't work, the culprit might be your Windows proxy settings, not WMP's. Check them:

Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy > Use a proxy server

Turn off Use a proxy server if it's on and you don't need it. This tripped me up the first time I saw this error on a corporate laptop that kept old proxy settings from a remote session.

2. Windows Firewall or VPN Interference

A third-party VPN (like NordVPN or ExpressVPN) or even Windows Defender Firewall can intercept the proxy request. Temporarily disable your VPN and test the stream. If that fixes it, add an exception rule for wmplayer.exe in your firewall or VPN settings.

3. Corrupted Windows Media Player Cache

Rare, but sometimes the WMP library cache gets corrupted. Reset it:

%LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Media Player

Close WMP, delete the entire contents of that folder, and restart WMP. It will rebuild its database. This fixed the error on a Windows 11 system that had been upgraded from Windows 8.

4. DNS Issues

If your DNS resolver can't find the media server quickly, you get a timeout. Flush your DNS cache:

ipconfig /flushdns

Then try the stream again. I've seen this help when the error appears only after switching Wi-Fi networks.

Prevention Tips

• After changing networks (home to office, or using a VPN), always reset WMP's proxy settings as shown above.
• Keep Windows Media Player up to date via Windows Update. Older versions have more proxy bugs.
• If you use a proxy regularly (e.g., for work), configure it at the system level (Internet Options) instead of inside WMP. That way WMP inherits it automatically and doesn't get stuck with stale settings.
• For streaming radio or TV, consider using a modern app like VLC or the browser—they handle proxy timeouts more gracefully. But if you're stuck on WMP? You know how to fix it now.