Why won't my WMA file play in the browser?

No browser supports Windows Media Audio. The file downloads and needs a player like VLC. Converting to MP3 or M4A makes it play everywhere.

How do I convert WMA to MP3?

Audacity or FFmpeg, both free. It's a lossy-to-lossy conversion so there's a small quality cost, but the gain in compatibility is usually worth it.

Can Mac users play WMA?

Only with VLC or similar — nothing built into macOS handles it. Converting removes the problem.

Host a WMA file and share an audio link

Put a Windows Media audio file online at its own address — and know why converting is usually worth it first.

You can host:

Drop your WMA file here

Any other file works too — up to 25.0 MB, or 100.0 MB for a whole site

Free to use. Your WMA file is live at your-name.99helpers.site in about ten seconds.

What is a .wma file?

WMA (Windows Media Audio) was Microsoft's answer to MP3, common through the 2000s on Windows PCs and portable players. It compressed slightly better than MP3 at the time, but never gained support outside the Windows ecosystem — and the web moved on without it.

What people use WMA files for

Music libraries ripped on Windows in the 2000s
Voice recordings from older Windows software
Audio from legacy corporate systems

What opens a WMA file

Windows Media Player and VLC
foobar2000 and most Windows players
FFmpeg and Audacity, for converting
No browser plays WMA natively

How to host a WMA file

1
Drop your WMA file in
Drag it onto the box at the top of this page, or click to choose it. Files up to 25 MB are supported, and nothing is uploaded until you publish.
2
Pick an address
Type a name and we'll tell you straight away whether it's free. That becomes the link: audio-archive.99helpers.site
3
Publish and share
Create a free account — that step exists so the file is yours to update, replace or delete — and the link is live within seconds.

The same three steps work for any file — see how file hosting works on 99helpers.com.

What happens when someone opens the link

The file downloads. Browsers support MP3, AAC, Ogg and FLAC — Windows Media was never part of that set, and Mac users often can't play it without VLC.

Why host a WMA file instead of emailing it?

Old music and voice libraries in WMA still need moving around occasionally. Hosting gets the file to someone; converting to MP3 first gets it to them in a form they can actually play.

Worth knowing before you publish

Convert to MP3 or M4A for anything anyone needs to listen to — both play in every browser.
Converting between lossy formats loses a little quality, but WMA's unplayability usually costs more.
Audacity and FFmpeg both convert WMA at no cost.

WMA hosting questions

Why won't my WMA file play in the browser?: No browser supports Windows Media Audio. The file downloads and needs a player like VLC. Converting to MP3 or M4A makes it play everywhere.
How do I convert WMA to MP3?: Audacity or FFmpeg, both free. It's a lossy-to-lossy conversion so there's a small quality cost, but the gain in compatibility is usually worth it.
Can Mac users play WMA?: Only with VLC or similar — nothing built into macOS handles it. Converting removes the problem.

Put your WMA file online now

It takes about ten seconds, and you only make an account once the file is ready to go live.

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Hosting guides for related formats

Host an MP3 audio file Host an M4A audio file Host a WAV audio file Host an AAC audio file Host a FLAC audio file

WMA is one of over 211 formats you can host — see free file hosting for any file type for the full list, or read the hosting guides for other file types.