Fixed: Windows Media Player Won't Play Blu-ray Directly

Part 1: Why Windows Media Player Won't Play Blu-ray

Why does Windows Media Player not play Blu-ray for you? Because there is no Blu-ray codec for Windows Media Player. Due to Sony's license policy on Blu-ray, this built-in Windows player does not bear with Blu-ray feature. But it does not mean that it is a dead end. To play Blu-ray on your Windows 10 computer via Windows Media Player, you can convert the Blu-ray to digital and play it with the Windows 10 player. Continue reading to see the detailed steps to do it on your Windows.

Part 2: What You Need to Play Blu-ray on Windows Media Player

Before starting with the ripping solution to play Blu-ray on Windows Media Player, make sure your computer has a Blu-ray drive to read the disc. Then, you can happily download the essential ripping tool, Blu-ray Ripper, strongly recommended by Blu-ray Software. With the efficient ripping software on your Windows, you can play any Blu-ray discs on Windows Media Player by ripping them to digital formats. Besides, ripping also allows you to share the Blu-ray content with family and friends and offers a much easier playback. Furthermore, you do not need to worry about the picture quality after ripping since the ripping software offers lossless conversion.

How to Let Windows 10 Media Player Play Blu-ray by Ripping

Step 1Insert the Blu-ray disc into your disc drive. Once you have installed this ripping program on Blu-ray Software. Launch the program and select your disc from the Load Blu-ray Disc option.

Step 2After the program loads all the titles, click the Play button to preview the movie. If Blu-ray has subtitles in various languages, you can also click the dropdown option to select one or none for ripping.

Step 3Click the Output Format button to choose a format. Delete the unnecessary titles by clicking the cross icon.

Step 4To find a place to store the output video, click Browse and Select Folder. Then, click the Select Folder button to confirm it. Afterward, click the Rip All button to convert your Blu-ray.

Step 5Locate the video you get. Right-click it and click the Open With option. Next, choose Windows Media Player to play it.

Part 3: Easier Ways to Play Blu-ray on Windows

Is there any more direct way to play Blu-ray on Windows? Yes, there is. Blu-ray Software also finds an alternative Windows 10 Blu-ray media player to the built-in player for you, which is Blu-ray Player. Working on Windows 11, 10, and earlier systems, this player boosts your watching experience greatly. Whether it is 4K, Blu-ray, Blu-ray ISO, or other media files, Blu-ray Player can handle and play them smoothly. There is no region code restriction. Once your drive reads the Blu-ray discs, the player will have no issue playing them.

How to Play Blu-ray with Windows Media Player Alternative

Step 1Download this alternative player on your Windows computer. Insert the Blu-ray disc into the drive. Launch the player afterward. Click the Open Disc and choose your Blu-ray disc in the pop-up.

Step 2Click the Menu button below, and you can view different chapters, audio tracks, subtitles, and other titles from the Blu-ray. Alternatively, you can click the Playlist button to view chapters and titles.

Part 4: FAQs about Windows Media Player Plays Blu-ray

• Why can't Windows 10 read Blu-ray?

  Windows 10 does not include the Blu-ray playback feature in its built-in Windows Media Player. Hence, Windows 10's default player can't play Blu-ray because it requires Microsoft to pay a license fee to support Blu-ray playback.

• Will Windows Media Player play DVDs on Windows 10?

  Yes, it will. But this default player on your Windows does not necessarily support all DVDs, especially commercial DVD-video discs. To play them, you must download an extra DVD codec for Windows Media Player on the computer.

• How do I get Windows Media Player to recognize a Blu-ray disc?

  Unfortunately, you can't. Microsoft does not include the Blu-ray feature in Windows Media Player. Therefore, this program can't recognize the disc for you and can't play it either.