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Windows 11 Media Player is a popular app for playing music and videos. Sometimes, users face issues where the album art does not update or change as expected. This can be frustrating when you want your music library to look organized and visually appealing.

Fortunately, there are several simple solutions to fix the problem of Windows 11 Media Player not changing album art. These steps are easy to follow, even if you are not very tech-savvy.

This guide will walk you through step-by-step instructions to resolve the issue efficiently. By the end, you should be able to enjoy your music with the correct album covers displayed.

Let’s get started with some quick checks before diving into the fixes.

Quick Note: Prerequisites and Initial Checks

• Check your internet connection: Windows Media Player often downloads album art from the internet, so make sure you are connected.
• Update Windows Media Player: Using the latest version can prevent many bugs and compatibility issues.
• Verify file metadata: Album art depends on the music file’s metadata. Ensure your files have correct tags.
• Restart the app: Sometimes, simply closing and reopening Media Player can refresh album art display.

Step 1: Manually Add or Change Album Art

If the automatic update does not work, you can manually add album art to your music files. This method is straightforward and often fixes the issue.

1. Open Windows Media Player and go to your music library.
2. Right-click the album or song that is missing the correct album art.
3. Select Find album info from the context menu.
4. A new window will open with album suggestions based on your song metadata.
5. Select the correct album from the list and click Next to download the album art and information.
6. If the correct album is not listed, choose Edit to manually enter album details.
7. Click Finish to update the album art in your library.

This step is important because Windows Media Player relies on accurate metadata to display album art properly. Manually correcting it helps the app associate the right image.

Step 2: Clear the Media Player Cache

Sometimes, cached album art images become corrupted or outdated, preventing new art from showing up. Clearing the cache forces the app to refresh the images.

1. Close Windows Media Player completely.
2. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
3. Type %LOCALAPPDATA%MicrosoftMedia Player and press Enter.
4. Delete all files and folders inside this directory. These are cache files used by the Media Player.
5. Reopen Windows Media Player and check if the album art updates correctly.

Clearing the cache removes stored data that may have been causing display issues. It is a safe operation and often resolves album art problems.

Step 3: Ensure Music Files Have Embedded Album Art

Windows Media Player shows album art embedded in the music file’s metadata if available. Adding album art directly into the files ensures consistency across all devices and apps.

1. Download and install a free tag editor like Mp3tag.
2. Open the music file(s) in the tag editor.
3. Look for the album art section and add the desired image.
4. Save the changes to embed the album art into the file.
5. Refresh Windows Media Player and check if the album art appears.

Embedding album art is a more reliable way to keep your music files visually organized, especially if you move or share files across platforms.

Step 4: Update Windows and Media Player

Outdated software can cause various glitches, including album art display issues. Keeping Windows and Media Player updated ensures you have the latest bug fixes and features.

1. Click the Start button and select Settings.
2. Go to Windows Update and click Check for updates.
3. Install any available updates and restart your computer if prompted.
4. Open Microsoft Store, go to Library, and update Windows Media Player if an update is available.

Updates often include improvements that enhance how album art and other media information are handled.

Step 5: Use Alternative Media Player or Tools (Advanced)

If the above steps do not resolve the issue, you may consider using alternative media players with better album art support or third-party tools to organize your music library.

• Alternative players: Apps like VLC Media Player, MusicBee, or foobar2000 offer extensive customization and album art support.
• Media library managers: Tools like MediaMonkey can help manage and update album art across your entire collection.

These options provide more control and better compatibility for music file management, especially for large music collections.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why is my album art not showing in Windows Media Player?

It could be due to missing or incorrect metadata, a corrupted cache, or outdated software. Manually updating album info or clearing the cache usually helps.

Can I add album art to individual songs?

Yes, you can add album art to individual tracks using a tag editor or by right-clicking the song in Windows Media Player and selecting ‘Find album info’.

Does Windows Media Player download album art automatically?

Yes, but it relies on correct metadata and an active internet connection. Sometimes manual intervention is needed if automatic downloads fail.

Is it safe to clear the Media Player cache?

Yes, clearing the cache only removes temporary files and does not delete your music or playlists.

What if album art still won’t update after trying all steps?

It might be a deeper software issue or file corruption. Consider using alternative media players or re-ripping your music with embedded album art.

When Nothing Works

If you have tried all the above steps and album art still does not update, here are some final options:

• Reset Windows Media Player: You can reset the app via Windows Settings > Apps > Apps & features > Windows Media Player > Advanced options > Reset.
• Reinstall Media Player: Uninstall and reinstall Windows Media Player through Windows Features.
• Consult Microsoft Support: Visit the official Microsoft Media Player support page for more help.

These advanced steps can fix persistent issues but should be used with caution as they might affect your app settings.

Conclusion

Fixing album art issues in Windows 11 Media Player is usually simple once you understand the common causes. Start by checking your internet connection, updating metadata, and clearing the cache.

Manually adding album art and embedding images into music files improves reliability. Keeping your system and apps up to date also helps prevent problems.

If all else fails, alternative media players and official Microsoft support can provide further assistance. With these steps, you can enjoy a well-organized and visually appealing music library on Windows 11.