Quick Answer
Delete the DRM folder in %ProgramData% and %LocalAppData%, then re-open the file. If that doesn't work, reset Windows Media Player's settings via the Control Panel.
Why This Happens
When you try to play a song or video that's protected by DRM (Digital Rights Management), Windows Media Player needs a license from the content provider. That license is stored locally in a hidden folder. If that folder gets corrupted, or if you've recently reinstalled Windows, the player can't verify the rights and throws this error.
I've seen this most often after a system restore or when users import files from an old computer. The file itself isn't broken—it's the license that's missing or unreadable.
Fix Steps
- Close Windows Media Player completely. Make sure it's not running in the background. Check the system tray (the little arrow near the clock) and right-click any WMP icon, then choose Exit.
- Delete the DRM folders. Press Win + R, type
%ProgramData%and press Enter. Look for a folder named DRM. Right-click it and select Delete. If Windows says it's in use, you missed closing WMP—do that first. - Also delete the per-user DRM folder. Press Win + R again, type
%LocalAppData%, press Enter. Find DRM and delete it too. - Restart your computer. Don't skip this. The DRM store reloads at startup.
- Try to play the file again. Windows Media Player will prompt you to download the license again. Accept it and the file should play.
If That Doesn't Work
Sometimes the license can't be re-downloaded because the player's settings are messed up. Here's the heavier approach:
- Open the Control Panel (search for it in the Start menu).
- Go to Programs > Programs and Features.
- On the left, click Turn Windows features on or off.
- Scroll down to Media Features, uncheck Windows Media Player, click OK, and restart your PC.
- After restart, repeat the steps to re-enable Windows Media Player.
- Now try the file again. This resets all WMP settings but should give you a clean slate.
If you're on Windows 10 or 11, you can also try the Windows Media Player Troubleshooter from Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters. It won't fix everything, but it handles basic DRM issues.
Prevention Tip
The easiest way to avoid this is to back up your DRM folder after you've legitimately acquired licenses. Copy the %ProgramData% DRM folder to a USB stick. If you ever reinstall Windows, paste it back before playing protected files. It's not perfect—some licenses are tied to the hardware—but it saves headaches for most content.
Also, if a file gives you this error, always try to download the license again from the original store (like iTunes or Amazon). Sometimes the provider has updated their DRM scheme and the old license won't work. That's not something you can fix locally—you'd need to re-download the file.