That error is a pain, I know
You're trying to add a song or video to your Windows Media Player library, and boom — error 0XC00D115A. It's especially annoying because the file plays fine in other apps. Let's get this fixed so you can stop wrestling with WMP.
What's actually happening here?
This error code (NS_E_WMP_CONVERT_NO_RIGHTS_NOERRORURL) means the file you're adding is protected by DRM (Digital Rights Management). WMP is trying to check if you have the rights to copy or sync that file, but something's broken: either the license server is gone, the URL in the license is invalid, or the file itself was encoded with a DRM scheme that Windows no longer supports. You usually see this with old WMA files purchased from stores that went under (like MSN Music, which shut down in 2008).
The fastest fix: strip the DRM
There's no way to patch WMP itself here. The real fix is to convert that protected file into an unprotected format. Here's what works:
- Download and install SoundTaxi or NoteBurner (both have free trials, and they're the most reliable for old WMA DRM).
- Open the program, point it at the folder with your .wma or .wmv files giving the error.
- Select output as MP3 or high-quality AAC (320 kbps).
- Click convert. It'll re-encode the audio, stripping the DRM in the process.
- Once done, delete the original protected file, then add the new MP3 to WMP library.
That's it. WMP will accept the converted file without complaint.
Word of caution: Some other tools like DRM Removal or FairUse4WM are outdated and won't work on Windows 10 or 11. Stick with SoundTaxi or NoteBurner if you don't want to waste hours.
Why does this work?
DRM is embedded in the file's metadata. When WMP reads the file, it looks for a license URL inside the header. If that URL doesn't return a valid license (because the server is gone or the URL is malformed), WMP blocks the library addition. Re-encoding the file creates a clean copy with zero DRM tags — the new file has no license checks, so WMP treats it like any unprotected file.
Less common variations of this error
Sometimes the error code 0XC00D115A pops up in different scenarios. Here's what else could be going on:
- Windows 11 with protected AAC files: Some AAC files from iTunes or Amazon still have FairPlay DRM. Windows Media Player can't touch those either. Same fix — convert with NoteBurner or TunesKit.
- Old Windows Media Audio (WMA) from a subscription service: If the license expired (common with old Zune Pass or Rhapsody tracks), WMP won't add them. You can't renew those licenses. Only option is to convert.
- Syncing to portable devices: You might get this error when trying to sync to an MP3 player. The sync engine checks rights too. Same root cause — DRM. Convert the files first, then they'll sync fine.
- Corrupted license cache: Rare, but possible. Go to
%localappdata%\Microsoft\Media Player, delete the folder contents (while WMP is closed), then restart WMP. If the error still shows on that same file, it's the file, not the cache.
How to prevent this from happening again
The best prevention is simple: stop using protected formats. Every time you buy music or movies from a store, check if they sell DRM-free versions. Amazon Music now sells MP3s that are clean. Bandcamp always sells DRM-free. For old files, convert them immediately after purchase — don't wait until the license server goes dark. Once those servers shut down, the only way to keep your music is to strip the DRM before it's too late. If you've already got a library of protected files, run them all through SoundTaxi in one batch. Future you will thank past you.
And if you're done with Windows Media Player entirely (I don't blame you), switch to VLC or MPC-HC. They ignore DRM errors and play the files anyway — no library drama. But that's a different fix for a different day.