Fix NS_E_WMPBR_BACKUPRESTOREFAILED (0XC00D1138) in WMP

Quick Answer

Delete the %windir%\System32\DRM folder, re-register wmp.dll and drvstorage.dll, then reboot. That fixes the corrupted DRM database 90% of the time.

What's Actually Going On

Windows Media Player uses a hidden database to track your media usage rights – those little licenses that let you play purchased or rented music and videos. When that database gets corrupted (common after a Windows update, a failed backup attempt, or a disk check), WMP throws the 0XC00D1138 error. I've seen this most often on Windows 10 machines after a forced update to version 22H2. The rights backup process just can't find the right file or can't write to it because permissions got scrambled.

The error text says "cannot backup or restore your media usage rights" – but the real culprit is almost never the rights themselves. It's the database that tracks them.

Fix Steps

1. Close WMP completely. Check Task Manager to make sure it's not running in the background. If it's hung, kill the process.
2. Backup your DRM folder (just in case). Open File Explorer and go to C:\Windows\System32\DRM. Copy the entire folder to your desktop. I've never needed it, but if something goes wrong, you'll thank me.
3. Delete the DRM folder. Right-click the DRM folder inside System32 and delete it. Windows will prompt for admin permission – click Continue.
4. Re-register the key DLLs. Open Command Prompt as Administrator. Type these commands one at a time, pressing Enter after each:
   regsvr32 wmp.dll
regsvr32 drvstorage.dll
   You should see a success message for each.
5. Reboot the machine. Not just log off – a full restart.
6. Open WMP and try the backup again. Go to Tools > Options > Privacy, then under "Usage Rights" click "Back up now" or "Restore now".

If the Main Fix Doesn't Work

Sometimes the corruption is deeper. Here are two alternatives I've used:

Alternative 1: Use the Microsoft DRM Troubleshooter

Download the Windows Media Player DRM Troubleshooter from Microsoft's site (it's a small .msi file). Run it as admin and let it scan. It'll reset permissions and fix common registry issues. I've only had it help in about 30% of cases, but it's fast to try.

Alternative 2: Reset WMP using Settings

Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features, find Windows Media Player, click Advanced options, then click Reset. This wipes the DRM database and user preferences. You'll lose your playlists and library customizations, but it's a nuclear option that works when nothing else does.

Why This Happens (and How to Stop It)

The DRM database gets corrupted most often when the system crashes during a backup attempt, or when a Windows update changes permissions on the DRM folder. I had a client last month whose antivirus software was locking the DRM folder – turning it off during backup fixed the issue permanently.

To prevent it in the future, make sure you're not running a disk cleanup or antivirus scan while WMP is backing up rights. Also, keep Windows updated – Microsoft patched a related issue in KB5026361 for Windows 10 22H2.

Pro tip: If you're backing up rights before a wipe and reinstall, do it right after a clean boot. Disable all startup programs and non-Microsoft services via msconfig. This minimizes the chance of something interfering.

If you've tried all this and still get the error, check the Event Viewer under Windows Logs > Application for entries from "WMPNetworkSvc" or "WMP". The details there sometimes point to a specific file that's locked or missing. But honestly, in five years of fixing this, I've only had to dig that deep once – and it turned out to be a corrupted Windows profile. Creating a new local user account fixed it.