NS_S_WMP_LOADED_BMP_IMAGE (0X000D1042) – Not Actually an Error
This isn't really an error—it's a success code. Windows Media Player loaded a BMP image fine. It's mostly harmless but can indicate a codec or file association issue.
Quick Answer
Ignore it. NS_S_WMP_LOADED_BMP_IMAGE with code 0X000D1042 is a success status from Windows Media Player—it means the BMP image loaded correctly. You only need to take action if you're seeing this in an error log and something else isn't working.
What's Really Going On?
I've had clients call me panicked because they saw this in Event Viewer or in a debug log and thought something was broken. One guy even re-installed Windows over it. Don't do that. The NS_S_WMP_LOADED_BMP_IMAGE code (0X000D1042) is part of Windows Media Player's internal status reporting—it's the same family as other NS_S_ success codes. When WMP loads a BMP file for a thumbnail, album art, or visualization, it logs this as a success. The 'S' in the middle literally stands for 'Success'.
That said, if you're seeing this repeatedly and it's accompanied by actual errors (like playback failures or crashes), then it's a symptom, not the cause. The real problem is usually one of three things: a corrupted BMP file, a misbehaving codec pack, or a broken file association.
Fix Steps (If You Actually Have a Problem)
Step 1: Check If the BMP File Opens Normally
Open the BMP file that triggered the code in another app—Paint, Photos, or even a web browser. If it opens fine, the code is just noise. If it doesn't, you've got a corrupt image. Delete it or repair it with a tool like ImageMagick.
Step 2: Reset Windows Media Player
If WMP itself is acting up, reset it. This clears the library and settings without breaking anything else.
- Press Win + R, type
regedit, and hit Enter. - Navigate to
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\MediaPlayer. - Right-click the
MediaPlayerkey and rename it toMediaPlayer_old. - Close Regedit and restart WMP. It'll rebuild the database.
Step 3: Repair File Associations
Sometimes another app (like a photo editor or a codec pack) steals the BMP association. Reassign it to WMP or Windows Photo Viewer.
Go to Settings > Apps > Default apps > Set defaults by file type. Scroll to .bmp and choose Photos or Windows Media Player.
Alternative Fixes If the Main One Fails
Remove Rogue Codecs
Codec packs like K-Lite or CCCP can install filters that interfere with BMP loading. Uninstall them through Settings > Apps > Installed apps. Then run sfc /scannow from an admin command prompt to restore any damaged system files.
Try the Windows Media Player Troubleshooter
It's basic but sometimes works. Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters, run the Windows Media Player troubleshooter. Don't expect miracles—it mostly checks for missing DLLs.
Prevention Tip
Don't let codec packs run wild. I've seen machines with three different codec packs fighting over the same file types. Stick with the built-in Windows Media Player or switch to a modern player like VLC or MPV. They handle BMPs without logging success codes as errors—and they won't give you a heart attack when you check Event Viewer.
If you're a developer logging this, filter out NS_S_* codes. Only log actual errors (starting with NS_E_ or 0xC00D). Your sanity will thank you.
Was this solution helpful?