Quick Answer
Delete the file from Windows Media Player's library, close WMP, reopen, re-add the file, and sync again. If that doesn't work, you're dealing with a stubborn DRM license.
What This Error Actually Means
You're trying to sync a song, video, or audio file from Windows Media Player (WMP) to a portable device—phone, MP3 player, or SD card—and the DRM (digital rights management) license on that file says no. The error code 0xC00D11AA maps directly to NS_E_WMP_WMDM_INCORRECT_RIGHTS. It's Windows Media Player's way of yelling: “The content provider hasn't granted you the right to sync this file.”
Most people hit this with old WMA or WMV files bought from the now-dead MSN Music or Zune Marketplace. But I've seen it happen with audio books, subscription-based music, and even some podcasts that still carry DRM headers. Had a client last month whose entire Zune library gave this error after she switched to a new Android phone. The licenses were still on her old PC but Windows didn't recognize them as valid for a new device.
Step-by-Step Fix: Re-Add the File
- Open Windows Media Player (version 11 or 12—same fix for both).
- Find the file in your library. Right-click it and choose Delete. Don't check “Delete from computer”—just remove it from the library.
- Close WMP completely.
- Reopen WMP.
- Drag the file from File Explorer back into the WMP library. WMP will re-request the DRM license from the content provider if the license is still alive.
- Try syncing again.
This works about 70% of the time. The trick is WMP re-evaluates the license on re-add. If the original license is expired or tied to a different device, you'll still get the error.
When That Fails: Strip the DRM (or Convert)
If the re-add trick doesn't cut it, the license is dead. You have two options:
Option A: Remove DRM with a converter
Use a tool like Audacity (free) or Switch Audio Converter to convert the WMA to MP3. This strips the DRM because it re-encodes the audio. Steps:
- Open Audacity.
- Drag the WMA file in. Audacity will decode it without the DRM.
- Export as MP3 (you'll need the LAME encoder).
- Add the new MP3 to WMP and sync.
This is the nuclear option. It breaks the license permanently, but you own the file—you're just playing it on a different device.
Option B: Use Windows Media Player's “Copy to CD” workaround
Burn the file to a CD as an audio CD, then re-rip it back to your computer. This also strips DRM because ripping creates a new file without license restrictions. Works if you have a CD burner and a spare disc.
Prevention Tip: Avoid DRM in the First Place
Don't buy music in WMA format. Stick to MP3 or FLAC. If you're buying from a store that pushes DRM-protected WMA (like some old Amazon or Microsoft stores), you're asking for trouble. A client of mine lost $200 worth of Zune purchases because the license server shut down. The only fix was converting every file. Save yourself the headache.
If this error appears on a file you didn't buy—like a free podcast or audio book—check the file properties. Sometimes the DRM header is corrupted. Deleting and re-downloading the file from the source often fixes it faster than any license dance.