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.
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.
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. 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.
