WPL File Extension

What is WPL file?

WPL is a text file that stored Windows Media Player playlist. WPL files do not store any actual audio data, only references to those resources. Moving, deleting, or renaming referenced file can render the playlist not to be able to open the file correctly. WPL playlist can hold video or audio file entries. WPL files store data in XML format.

Uses of playlist files

Files listed in the playlist file may not be stored locally. Such files are typically used for storing internet radio playlists. Entries in WPL files can use absolute or relative directory paths. Relative paths are more reliable as adding playlist to the folder it refers to makes the entires independent of the location of the folder. Some other popular playlist formats are:

• .ASX
• .M3U
• .PLS
• .XSPF

Programs which support WPL file extension

Programs that can handle WPL files are as follows. Files with WPL suffix can be copied to any mobile device or system platform, but it may not be possible to open them properly on target system.

Updated: 03/10/2023

How to open file with WPL extension?

Being unable to open files with WPL extension can be have various origins. On the bright side, the most encountered issues pertaining to Windows Media Player Playlist files aren’t complex. In most cases they can be addressed swiftly and effectively without assistance from a specialist. We have prepared a listing of which will help you resolve your problems with WPL files.

Step 1. Install Windows Media Player software

Problems with opening and working with WPL files are most probably having to do with no proper software compatible with WPL files being present on your machine. This one is an easy one. Select Windows Media Player or one of the recommended programs (for example, Winamp) and download it from appropriate source and install on your system. Above you will find a complete listing of programs that support WPL files, classified according to system platforms for which they are available. If you want to download Windows Media Player installer in the most secured manner, we suggest you visit Microsoft Corporation website and download from their official repositories.

Step 2. Update Windows Media Player to the latest version

If you already have Windows Media Player installed on your systems and WPL files are still not opened properly, check if you have the latest version of the software. Sometimes software developers introduce new formats in place of that already supports along with newer versions of their applications. This can be one of the causes why WPL files are not compatible with Windows Media Player. The most recent version of Windows Media Player is backward compatible and can handle file formats supported by older versions of the software.

Step 3. Assign Windows Media Player to WPL files

If the issue has not been solved in the previous step, you should associate WPL files with latest version of Windows Media Player you have installed on your device. The next step should pose no problems. The procedure is straightforward and largely system-independent

The procedure to change the default program in Windows

• Choose the Open with entry from the file menu accessed by right-mouse clicking on the WPL file
• Select Choose another app → More apps
• Finally select Look for another app on this PC, point to the folder where Windows Media Player is installed, check the Always use this app to open WPL files box and conform your selection by clicking OK button

The procedure to change the default program in Mac OS

• From the drop-down menu, accessed by clicking the file with WPL extension, select Information
• Open the Open with section by clicking its name
• Select Windows Media Player and click Change for all...
• A message window should appear informing that This change will be applied to all files with WPL extension. By clicking Continue you confirm your selection.

Step 4. Verify that the WPL is not faulty

Should the problem still occur after following steps 1-3, check if the WPL file is valid. Problems with opening the file may arise due to various reasons.

1. Verify that the WPL in question is not infected with a computer virus

If the file is infected, the malware that resides in the WPL file hinders attempts to open it. Scan the WPL file as well as your computer for malware or viruses. If the scanner detected that the WPL file is unsafe, proceed as instructed by the antivirus program to neutralize the threat.

2. Verify that the WPL file’s structure is intact

Did you receive the WPL file in question from a different person? Ask him/her to send it one more time. During the copy process of the file errors may occurred rendering the file incomplete or corrupted. This could be the source of encountered problems with the file. It could happen the the download process of file with WPL extension was interrupted and the file data is defective. Download the file again from the same source.

3. Ensure that you have appropriate access rights

Some files require elevated access rights to open them. Switch to an account that has required privileges and try opening the Windows Media Player Playlist file again.

4. Make sure that the system has sufficient resources to run Windows Media Player

If the system is under havy load, it may not be able to handle the program that you use to open files with WPL extension. In this case close the other applications.

5. Verify that your operating system and drivers are up to date

Up-to-date system and drivers not only makes your computer more secure, but also may solve problems with Windows Media Player Playlist file. It may be the case that the WPL files work properly with updated software that addresses some system bugs.

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