Codec 161

NiCeGuY

Guest

Hello, just the other day I purchased music and it had protection and would only run with Windows Media Player and I tried to run it with other audio players, RealOne, Winamp, and it did not work. Then I went back to Windows Media Player and tried to open the purchased songs again and it told me about “The audio codec identified by the format tag 161 is required to play this file." How can I solve this? Thanks.

MissMata

Guest

Did you ever solve this problem? I am having the same issue and am going crazy trying to figure it out!

mitcher

Guest

Same here!

mlhall

Guest

I found answer at microsoft.com/downloads file named WM9Codecs.exe title was “Windows Media 9 Series Codec Installation Package for IT Professionals. I downloaded and installed and problem was gone. go to the above website, and search, select “windows media” under the product select button, and “Windows media 9 series codec” under the keywords button. The first item listed will be the file you need.

SerialCarpins

Guest

MlHall Dude....you just made my day. I can finally play songs on my stupid computer again! Thanks so very very much!! !

KeeperOfTheBaseball

Guest

"The audio codec identified by the format tag 161 is required to..." The wm9codecs.exe had no effect. While searching for a fix, I am noticing that this is a new problem with windows media player this month, Dec 2005, and noone has seriously addressed the issue. This is not just a music file problem, as OverDrive Media Console for audio library books is also effected. Could someone please come up with a reason and a fix for this soon? Windows XP Home, Windows Media Player 9 or 10, and any protected mp3 file.

JSrun519

Guest

Yeah I defnitely downloaded the WMP9 Codec and it did nothing for me. I wish microsoft would do something about it because it is driving me crazy. I can’t play videos and music.

my a capella sucks

Guest

Hear! Hear! to the posting from keeper about the problems with audio codec. I finally gave in and took up Napster on their 7-day free trial and can’t even play songs on their site, let alone the three morsels I downloaded. Instead, this “free” trial has eaten up a good couple of hours surfing Microsoft and other sites for codec packages and updates, to no avail. Happy New Year!

Antonios

Guest

Shitty 161 tag!
I couldn’t watch a porn film because of this fuck! Yeah, that micr.9. series codec didn’t worth anything. if anybody find the solution, please write me. thx.
qpwoei@freemail.hu

carfan

Guest

Well, add another person with the 161 problem. I’ve been searching for hours to no avail. I’ve downloaded new codecs too. The only thing that does not work are protect audio files. They used to work but somehow it broke. Argh!

carfan

Guest

I was able to fix mine by downloading the following from Microsoft. (Wished I knew this hours ago).
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=73c2650f-be61-4bd6-8408-1fd6e7827cd8&displaylang=en

This I saw worked for others too.
1: Roll back to WMP 9 (so I can do a 10 reinstall).
2: Open Control Panel|Sounds & Audio Devices|Hardware|Audio Codecs|Properties|Properties
3: Select Windows Media Codecs, hit “remove”... Say yes to the warning of doom (system required, etc)
4: Reboot.
5: Reinstall WMP 10.
(Thanks to aelfwyne on another forum)

I hope this helps a few of you.

neofitos

Guest

U R THE MAN BRO
THANKS !!!

Molly

Guest

Thanks Carfan your solution did work!

Phat Phart

Guest

I had DRM protected video’s that stopped working after I installed MS Streetes & trips 2006...duh.

I got the same error message about missing 161 (audio) codec. I tried everything I could think of, including reimaging my 'puter after each failed attempt, including trying to reinstall ALL the different codec/codec packages, MS and others.

Finally, After throwing up my hands in disgust, I did what I should have done first, I reinstalled Media player 10, without uninstalling anything.

Voila!

All is once again, right with the world...for now.