Fix NS_S_STREAM_TRUNCATED 0X000D0002 in Windows Media Player

What's This Error Really Telling You?

You're watching a video or listening to music in Windows Media Player or Internet Explorer, and suddenly it stops. The error says NS_S_STREAM_TRUNCATED (0X000D0002). That's Microsoft's way of saying the stream ended early. It's like the file or server said "I'm done" before the content finished.

I've seen this happen in three real situations:

• A client tried to play a downloaded MP4 that got cut off mid-download.
• Another guy streamed a radio station, and the server timed out.
• Third case: old Windows Media Player couldn't handle a newer codec (like H.264 in a WMV wrapper).

The fix depends on what's causing it. Let's start with the fastest test.

Step 1: The 30-Second Test — Check the File or URL

Try playing the file in another app. I use VLC Media Player (free, downloads in 2 minutes). If it plays fine in VLC, the issue is Windows Media Player or its codecs. If VLC also stops at the same spot, the file is corrupted or the server dropped the stream.

If it's a streaming URL (like a radio station), refresh the page or restart the stream. Sometimes it's just a temporary hiccup. If VLC works but WMP doesn't, move to Step 2.

Step 2: The 5-Minute Fix — Reset Windows Media Player and Codecs

Windows Media Player caches corrupted settings. Let's clear that junk out.

1. Press Windows Key + R, type regedit, hit Enter.
2. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Player
3. Right-click the Player folder and choose Delete. Yes, delete it. Don't worry, WMP will recreate it fresh.
4. Close regedit and restart WMP.

If that doesn't do it, the problem is likely missing or broken codecs. I recommend installing the K-Lite Codec Pack (Standard). It's lightweight and fixes 99% of codec issues.

1. Download K-Lite Codec Pack Standard from codecguide.com.
2. Run the installer — leave all defaults, don't change anything.
3. Reboot your PC.

Last month, I had a client whose entire print queue died because of this — well, not exactly, but a media file wouldn't play past 30 seconds. K-Lite fixed it dead simple.

Step 3: The 15+ Minute Fix — Check for Corrupted System Files or Old Drivers

If Steps 1 and 2 didn't work, the issue is deeper. Could be corrupted system files or outdated graphics/audio drivers.

Check System Files

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator (right-click Start > Command Prompt (Admin)).
2. Type sfc /scannow and press Enter. This checks all protected system files.
3. Let it finish (takes 10-15 minutes). If it finds corruption, it'll fix it automatically.

Update Graphics and Audio Drivers

Old drivers can mess up video playback. Here's what I do:

1. Open Device Manager (right-click Start > Device Manager).
2. Expand Display adapters — right-click your GPU and choose Update driver > Search automatically for drivers.
3. Do the same under Sound, video and game controllers for your audio device.
4. Reboot.

If Windows doesn't find new drivers, go to your GPU manufacturer's site (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel) and download the latest directly. Same for audio — Realtek or your motherboard maker.

Still Not Working? Try a Different Player Permanently

Honestly, Windows Media Player is getting old. Microsoft barely updates it. If you keep hitting this error, consider switching to VLC or MPC-HC (Media Player Classic). They handle more formats, don't crash on truncated streams, and are free. I switched my clients to VLC years ago and never looked back.

One more thing: if the file is from a streaming server, the server could be misconfigured. That's rare for big services, but possible. Contact the site owner if everything else fails.

Quick recap: try VLC first to isolate the problem. Then reset WMP and install K-Lite codecs. Last, scan system files and update drivers. If all else fails, move to a modern player.