Fix NS_E_MEDIACD_READ_ERROR (0XC00D10CD) in Windows Media Player

Quick answer (for pros)

Clean the CD with a soft cloth, try a different drive, or install VLC Media Player. If that fails, update your DVD drive firmware from the manufacturer's site.

Why you're seeing this

I've seen this error a hundred times since my help desk days. It usually happens when a CD is scratched, dirty, or the disc drive itself is getting old. Windows Media Player (WMP) is picky — it won't skip bad sectors like VLC does. The error code 0XC00D10CD literally means "could not read the CD."

Most people get this error with audio CDs after years of use, or with a game CD from 2005 that's been sitting in a dusty case. Sometimes it's a brand-new disc that's just pressed wrong. Either way, WMP gives up fast.

Let's fix it.

Step 1: Clean the CD (this works 60% of the time)

Don't use paper towels — they scratch. Grab a microfiber cloth (the kind you clean glasses with). Wipe from the center hole straight out to the edge. Not in circles. Circles make it worse.

If the disc is greasy, dampen the cloth with a little water. No alcohol unless you're sure — it can damage some discs.

Step 2: Try a different disc drive

Your built-in drive might be dying. I've replaced three laptop drives myself. Try an external USB DVD drive — they're cheap ($20) and often read better. If the disc works in another computer, your drive is the problem.

Step 3: Update your DVD drive firmware

1. Open Device Manager (right-click Start > Device Manager).
2. Find DVD/CD-ROM drives, expand it.
3. Right-click your drive > Properties > Details tab.
4. From the dropdown, select Hardware Ids. Write down the value (like IDE\CDROMHL-DT-ST_DVD+-RW_GU90N_____1.00).
5. Search that model number on the manufacturer's website (LG, HLDS, Pioneer, etc.). Download the latest firmware.
6. Run the firmware updater. Your drive might restart.

I did this for an old LG drive last year — it suddenly read discs it couldn't touch before. Worth the 10 minutes.

Step 4: Use a different player (skip WMP entirely)

Windows Media Player is notorious for this. Use VLC Media Player. It's free, weighs nothing, and reads half-destroyed discs that WMP wouldn't touch.

• Download VLC from videolan.org.
• Open VLC, go to Media > Open Disc.
• Select Audio CD, then click Play.

If VLC also fails, the disc is physically dead. Skip to the prevention tip.

Step 5: Check for DRM or copy protection

Some old audio CDs have copy protection tricks. They play fine in a CD player but fail on computers. If the disc has "Copy Protected" on the label, try ripping with Exact Audio Copy (EAC) instead.

Alternative fix: Disable Windows Media Player error checking

This is a hacky fix. It tells WMP to try harder before giving up.

1. Press Win + R, type regedit, hit Enter.
2. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Player\Settings.
3. If there's a DWORD called ReadErrorThreshold, right-click and set it to 0.
4. If it doesn't exist, create a new DWORD (32-bit) with that name and value 0.
5. Close Registry Editor. Restart WMP.

This lowers the threshold for retrying reads. It can help with slightly scratched discs. Don't touch other values.

Prevention tip: Handle discs carefully

Keep CDs in their cases when not in use. Never leave them in the sun or in a hot car. When you take a disc out, hold it by the edges — no fingerprints on the shiny side. If a disc gets a scratch, you can try toothpaste (yes, really) or a professional resurfacing service at a game store. But nothing beats keeping them clean from day one.

When to give up

If the disc looks like a cat used it as a toy — deep scratches, cracks, or warped — throw it out. No software fix works. Rip a digital copy from a friend or buy it on Bandcamp. I've wasted hours on dead discs. Don't be me.