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How to Fix Error 80040265 in Windows Media Player

Error 80040265 often points to an unsupported file format, a missing codec, or a damaged media file.

Quick answer

Error 80040265 often points to an unsupported file format, a missing codec, or a damaged media file.

Common causes

Older Windows Media Player setups do not always include support for newer containers and codecs.
Some downloaded files use codecs that are not installed system-wide.
The file may be mislabeled or incomplete.

What to try

Try another known-good media file to rule out a player problem.
Install Media Player Codec Pack to add broader playback support.
If the same file fails everywhere, it may be damaged.

All editions of Media Player Codec Pack are free to download.