Fix: Whatsapp Error “You Must Have An Opus Codec Installed”

The error “You Must Have an Opus Codec Installed” often occurs when trying to play voice notes, typically indicating that the Opus Codec, responsible for decoding and encoding, is missing from the system. However, this is not the only cause of the issue, as other factors, such as disabled UAC or a problem with the Windows Mixer, can also lead to it.

There isn’t much to discuss regarding the causes; the main thing to ensure is that the Opus Codec is not missing from the system. If it is missing, it will not encode and decode the WhatsApp voice notes, which will result in this error message.

Now that you understand the causes, let’s look at the solutions to this issue. But before proceeding, try restarting your computer or ending the WhatsApp process in Task Manager, and then reopen the WhatsApp application.

1. Download Web Media Extensions

Since the error itself states “You Must Have An Opus Codec Installed”, you should start troubleshooting the issue by installing the Opus codec. Media Extensions is a package that includes all the necessary codecs, including the Opus Codec, which WhatsApp requires to play voice notes.

These extensions support modern media audio formats such as .opus and .ogg, which are commonly used for WhatsApp voice data. By installing the Web Media Extensions, you ensure that your system can handle various audio formats, which should resolve the error when playing voice notes.

1. Click the Start Menu and type Microsoft Store.
   
2. Launch the Microsoft Store and search for Web Media Extensions.
3. Select Web Media Extensions and click Install.
4. Once done, check if this resolved the error.

2. Turn on UAC (User Account Control)

If you have previously disabled UAC (User Account Control) and forgot to re-enable it, this could also be the reason for this error. While UAC shouldn’t be directly related to the issue, many users have reported that enabling the UAC somehow resolves issues with WhatsApp voice notes. Therefore, you should make sure that the UAC is enabled by following these steps.

1. Press Win + S to open Windows Search.
2. Type UAC and hit Enter to open the Change User Account Control settings.
   
3. Move the slider up to Notify me only when apps try to make changes to my computer.
4. Click OK to save the settings.
   
5. Once done, check if the error is fixed by playing the WhatsApp voice notes.

3. Reset the Windows Mixer

Windows Mixer manages the audio for each application. Sometimes, incorrect audio configurations prevent applications from accessing or playing audio correctly. Resetting the Windows Mixer restores the default audio settings, ensuring that WhatsApp can access the audio channels and codecs, including the Opus codec, allowing voice messages to play without interruptions or errors.

1. To reset the Windows Mixer, right-click the Sound Icon at the bottom right and select Open Volume Mixer.
   
2. Click Reset to reset the Volume Mixer to default settings.
   
3. Once done, check if the error is resolved while playing WhatsApp voice notes.

Finally, if none of the solutions have worked, try uninstalling both WhatsApp and the Web Media Extensions. Then, restart your computer and reinstall WhatsApp along with the Web Media Extensions to resolve the error.