Fix NS_E_WMP_PNG_INVALIDFORMAT (0XC00D1028) in Windows Media Player

When does this error show up?

You'll see NS_E_WMP_PNG_INVALIDFORMAT (0xC00D1028) when Windows Media Player tries to open a PNG image file — either as a standalone image or embedded in a playlist or slideshow. The file looks fine in File Explorer (thumbnail shows), but WMP throws this error the moment you double-click it. I've seen this most often with PNG files downloaded from websites, screenshots saved with weird tools, or images transferred from a phone that didn't complete properly.

Last month, a client couldn't play his wedding slideshow because half the PNGs from his wife's iPhone gave this exact error. The thumbnails looked perfect, but WMP just refused to touch them.

What's actually causing this?

The PNG file format has a strict structure: it starts with a specific 8-byte signature (‰PNG), followed by chunks of data. When that header gets mangled — even one byte off — Windows Media Player won't touch it. Common reasons:

• Incomplete download — The file didn't finish transferring.
• Corrupted metadata — Some editors or phone apps write non-standard headers.
• Renamed file — Someone changed a JPEG to .PNG without actually converting it.
• Truncated file — The file ends before the required IEND chunk.

Windows Media Player is strict here. Unlike some image viewers that try to guess the format, WMP validates the header and chunks. If they don't match, it bails with error 0xC00D1028.

How to fix it — step by step

Step 1: Check if the file is really a PNG

Right-click the file, go to Properties, and look at the Type of file line. If it says .png but the size is suspiciously small (like 0 KB or 100 bytes), it's probably garbage. Also open it in Notepad — the first few characters should show ‰PNG. If you see JFIF or ÿØÿà, it's actually a JPEG or other format.

Step 2: Re-download or re-transfer the file

If the file came from a website, download it again. If from a phone, copy it again using a USB cable (not Bluetooth — Bluetooth truncates PNG metadata sometimes).

Step 3: Convert it using a proper tool

Open the file in Paint (Windows built-in) or IrfanView (free, no bloat). Then save it as a new PNG:

1. Open the file in Paint.
2. Click File > Save as > PNG picture.
3. Give it a new name, like fixed_image.png.

This rewrites the entire PNG structure from scratch. I've fixed hundreds of files this way. If Paint can't open it either, the file is fully corrupted — skip to Step 5.

Step 4: Use a command-line fix (if you're comfortable)

If you have ImageMagick installed (free, magick.org), run this in Command Prompt:

magick convert corrupted.png fixed.png

ImageMagick is more forgiving than WMP. It'll strip out bad chunks and rebuild a clean PNG. Saved a client's entire library of 200+ PNGs once.

Step 5: Try a different player (the real workaround)

Windows Media Player is old. It's not your only option. If the file plays fine in VLC, MPC-HC, or even the Photos app, the file is fine — WMP just hates it. Use those instead. You can also convert the PNG to JPEG using Paint, and WMP will open JPEGs without complaint.

What if it still fails?

If none of the above works, the file is toast. A corrupted PNG can't always be recovered — especially if the data chunks themselves are scrambled. Check these last things:

• Antivirus quarantine — Some AV tools (especially McAfee) delete parts of PNG headers thinking they're threats.
• File extension mismatch — Rename it to .jpg and try opening it. If it works, you've got a mislabeled JPEG.
• Corrupted download — Use a download manager that checks file integrity (like Free Download Manager).

In short: this error is almost always a file header issue, not a WMP problem. Fix the file, or switch players. Your call.