Fix: Encoded Format Windows Error 0xc00d5212

Some Windows 10 users have noticed the error 0xc00d5212 (0xc00d5212 ) when trying to play AVI videos in both Windows Media Player and the Windows 10 Movies and TV app. When a video is launched, it displays the error code along with the message “Can’t play. The item was encoded in a format that’s not supported.”

It’s not clear exactly why the error is so, but it is mostly likely related to the display driver or video codec. We’ll be fixing this issue in 3 ways which includes updating the graphics drivers, reinstalling the sound driver, updating Windows, and using VLC, an alternative media player.

Method 1: Updating the Graphics Drivers

1. Press the Windows + R keys, type devmgmt.msc and click OK. This opens up the Device Management Console.

1. Device Manager, expand the Display adapters, right-click on your graphics adapter under this category and click Uninstall and check Delete the driver software for this device, and then OK to remove the drivers.

1. Visit the drivers page of your vendors website and search for your graphics card drivers. Download and install the driver on your PC and then restart it. Try playing an AVI video again to see if the issue is solved. Else, move to the next method.

Alternatively, you can update directly from the device manager by:

2. Press the Windows + R keys, type devmgmt.msc. This opens up the Device Management Console.

3. In the Device Manager, expand the Display adapters, right-click on your graphics adapter under this category and click Update Driver Software and then click Search automatically for updated driver software.

1. After the drivers finish updating, restart your PC try to play an AVI video to see if it plays now.

Method 2: Uninstalling your Audio Driver

Some users had multiple audio drivers installed and fixed the issue after they removed it. We’ll look through our installed audio drivers and remove those that are not needed.

1. Press the Windows + R keys, type devmgmt.msc. This opens up the Device Management Console.

2. In the Device Manager, expand the Sound, video and game controllers, right-click on any 3rd party audio device (e.g. Conexant SmartAudio HD) you see under this category and right-click and click Uninstall Device.  

3. Restart your PC and try to play an AVI video to confirm if the solution worked.

Method 3: Updating Windows

It’s advisable to use this method after trying the previous method.

1. Press the Windows Key + I to open Windows settings.
2. Select Update & Security and select Check for Updates. Windows will check for updates and begin download pending updates.

3. Reboot your PC after the update and try playing any .avi video.

Method 4: Playing with VLC

VLC is a powerful and popular media player that plays all formats. If none of the above methods  worked, you can use this as workaround.

1. Visit VLC’s Official Website and download a copy of VLC.
2. Double-click on the executable and install it.
3. Launch VLC on your PC and play your AVI videos or other formats with it.