Some advanced or less common or popular digital media formats would seem a bit stranger for Windows Media Player, such as ASF files. Many users have reflected that WMP won’t play ASF files correctly. What is the main reason for the unsupported format and are there any ways to play ASF files in an efficient way? Now, let’s fix these problems accordingly.

Part 1: About ASF File

ASF is the abbreviation of Advanced Streaming Format. It is a streaming multimedia file format developed by Microsoft for Windows 98. Like JPG and MPG files, ASF files are also a file type, but they are particularly suitable for transmission over IP networks. ASF is the core of Microsoft's Windows Media, a data format containing audio, video, images, and control command scripts. This term is currently used interchangeably with WMA and WMV.

The use of ASF files can realize on-demand functions, live broadcast functions, and remote education, with local or network playback, expandable media types, and other advantages. The data rate of ASF streaming files can vary from 28.8Kbps to 3Mbps. Users can choose a suitable rate according to their application environment and network conditions to achieve VOD on demand and live broadcast. Many media players support ASF file, however, during some updates, the built-in ASF codec would be lost which may result in the failure of ASF file on the media players.

Part 2: Install ASF Codec to WMP Step by Step

In order to obtain the ASF playback solution on Windows Media Player, the ASF codec must be installed to Windows Media Player. If the missing of ASF codec has caused the failure of ASF playback on WMP, the direct solution for this problem is to download and install MP4 codec onto WMP. Instead of downloading a specific ASF codec, you can turn to K-Lite Codec Pack which has already contained all the audio and video codecs needed for various multimedia files. For the details, please refer to the following steps.

Step 1. Open Windows Media Player and load the ASF file to it. If Windows Media Player doesn’t contain the ASF codec, once the ASF file has been added, then on the screen you may see a prompt-up message showing that “A codec is required to play the file. To determine if this codec is available to download from the web, click Web help”.

Step 2. Click Web help and you will be guided to a Web site that specifically identifies the missing codec. But the ASF codec is not included in this list. Therefore, you have to download the codec on purpose. Here I will strongly recommend you to download the K-Lite codec pack for Windows Media Player.
Step 3. Search K-Lite Codec Pack and choose a proper one to download to your computer. Usually, the K-Lite Codec Pack is formatted in the ZIP form which would be needed to be unzipped for further action, including installation.

Step 4. Unzip the codec pack and install it by following the step-by-step instruction shown on the screen. Finally run the codec pack.
Step 5. Restart computer and Windows Media Player to enable the codec pack on the player. Last of all, load the ASF file to Windows Media Player again and you will obtain the ASF playback immediately on WMP successfully.

Part 3: Free Alternative to Play ASF without Installing Codec

Searching and installing ASF codec for Windows Media Player may take a long time, doesn’t it? If you would like to prefer another time-saving way, you had better depend on another media player which has the capability to play ASF files directly without further downloading and installing processes. Right here, Leawo Blu-ray Player can be your excellent choice.

As a 100% free and 6-in-1 media player software, Leawo Blu-ray Player contains all media playback solutions you need for your leisure entertainment, including Blu-ray, DVD, CD, HD (4K), ISO file with AVI, MPEG, WMV, ASF, FLV, MKV/MKA and other popular formats supported. Leawo Free Blu-ray Player software could provide you quality-lossless image for even 4K video, stereo audio enjoyment, all regions free DVD decryption and user-oriented playback control due to the advanced image and audio processing technology.

What is worth mentioning is that this media player is can also act as Blu-ray DVD to MKV converter if you upgrade to the premium version. Within Leawo Blu-ray Player, you could obtain the personalized settings according to your preference and all the settings could be done automatically. The instructions for playing are quite easy. If you are interested in Leawo Blu-ray Player, then you can load your ASF files to this player for further viewing.

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Leawo Free Blu-ray Player 

☉ 100% free movie player for Windows & Mac users to play Ultra HD 4K, 1080P and 720P videos.

☉ Free Blu-ray/DVD player to play 4K disc, folder and ISO file, regardless of disc protection and region code.

☉ Support multiple audio decoding systems like Dolby, DTS, AAC, TrueHD, DTS-HD, etc.

☉ Adjust subtitles, video and audio during media playback.

☉ Serves as a powerful Blu-ray/DVD to MKV converter to convert Blu-ray/DVD disc, folder and ISO image to MKV with lossless quality and high speed.

Step 1. Download Leawo Blu-ray Player and install it.
Step 2. Enter the main interface and load the ASF file on the computer by clicking the “Open File” button on the home interface. Then the media player can immediately present the video.

Step 3. Set the personalized parameters. After loading the ASF file, you can watch it smoothly. But in order to get the specialized watching experience, you can move your mouse to the left upper corner and then you can see four icons which represent Subtitles Setting, Video Setting, Audio Setting and Playlist Panel respectively.

Step 4. Set video and audio parameters. Click the second icon and the third icon in the title area to set video parameters and audio parameters respectively. The editing features of Leawo Blu-ray Player could allow you to obtain a customized video and will give you more special watching experience.

Part 4: Convert ASF Windows Media Player Format

Converting ASF to Windows Media Player format can be an alternative way of playing ASF on WMP. Leawo Video Converter is able to convert ASF to various video formats with 100% original quality and 6X faster speed. It could support 180+ video and audio formats conversion with accuracy and no quality loss.

With Leawo Video Converter, you can personalize the ASF video including file merging, media editing, 3D movie creating, parameter adjusting, etc with the best output quality. Leawo Video Converter would worth a shot if you prefer powerful and efficient computer programs. As one of the top-rated video converters, Leawo Video Converter can play an important role in converting ASF to other WMP compatible formats, like AVI, MP4 etc. Besides, Leawo Video Converter also could convert 2D video to 3D and edit video.

   

Part 5: Conclusion

Many users fail to play ASF files on this player. The major reason for this failure would fall to the lack of ASF codec. If your problem could be fixed by downloading and installing the ASF codec, well, the above information can be quite useful. You only need to follow the detailed steps to complete the ASF codec installation process.

Another time-saving and efficient way to play ASF files with ease is the turn asides to another media player which can directly play ASF files. Here, you should not miss Leawo Blu-ray Player which would not spend you a penny; furthermore, you can simply drag the ASF file to the player panel for watching. If you would like to take a try on a new media player, Leawo Blu-ray Player would not let you down.

If Windows Media Player still can’t play ASF files after installing ASF codec, your issue would also be resolved if you have grasped the method of converting ASF to other digital formats which can be more compatible with Windows Media Player, like MP4 or AVI. Leawo Video Converter can be quite helpful in completing the conversion task.