How to Fix WhatsApp Error ‘You Must Have an Opus Codec Installed’ on PC?

Nikhil Azza
Opus Codec ensures clear calls and audio playback. Here is the guide to fix Opus Codec error on Windows 11.
How to Fix WhatsApp Error 'You Must Have an Opus Codec Installed' on PC

WhatsApp’s desktop app has a pesky bug that repeatedly haunts its s. When they try to play or speed up a voice note on WhatsApp, a message says “You Must Have an Opus Codec Installed”. This error is specific to the WhatsApp desktop client for Windows 11.

The error indicates that a specific audio codec is missing from your system. Without it, you cannot play the WhatsApp voice notes on the PC. This guide explains where you can find this codec and what other workarounds can help you access your voice notes without encountering any errors.

Top Ways to Fix ‘You Must Have an Opus Codec Installed’ WhatsApp Voicenote Error

To find out more about this issue with WhatsApp, I dug deep through the web. Some s have reported that even after installing the codec, the WhatsApp desktop client continues to return the “You Must Have an Opus Codec Installed” error.

Instead of only relying on the codec, consider other troubleshooting tips that allow you to listen to WhatsApp voice notes or fast-forward them.

1. Install the Opus Codec on Windows 11

You can find Opus codec as a part of Web Media Extensions that is available on the Microsoft Store.

  1. Launch the Microsoft Store on your PC.
    launch Microsoft Store
  2. Type “Web Media Extensions” in the search bar.
  3. Click the Get button to install it on your device.
    install web media extensions

Some s have stated that even after getting the Web Media Extensions, the WhatsApp desktop client continues to hinder them from opening the voice notes they receive in the chats.

If that’s the case with you, get the codecs from other sources on the web which I have described in the next troubleshooting method.

2. Web Media Extensions [from non-Microsoft Source]

If trying to install Opus codec from the Microsoft Store did not fix the issue, get the required Codec from a non-official repository.

  1. On your PC browser, go to the latest Opus Codec on the Free Codecs site.
  2. Click to grab the codec on your computer.
    the latest Opus codec for Windows 11
  3. After installing the codec, launch WhatsApp and check if you can play the voice notes.

3. Turn off Control

In a Reddit forum, s mentioned that turning off the Control on Windows 11 and re-enabling it fixed the Opus codec error on WhatsApp.

Since the troubleshooting tip worked for a few, you may try it as well.

  1. Press the Windows key to bring up the search .
  2. Type UAC in the serach box.
  3. On the left side, click on Change Control Settings.
    change control settings Windows 11
  4. Drag the slider to Notify me only when apps try to make changes to my computer.
  5. Click OK and it will save the changes.
    turn off and enable control Windows 11

Now, launch the WhatsApp client and check the voice notes exchanged with you in the chats.

4. Update the WhatsApp Desktop Client

To fix any codec-related bugs with the WhatsApp desktop application, update it from the Microsoft Store.

  1. Launch Microsoft Store using Windows + S.
    launch Microsoft Store
  2. Click Library on the left-hand side.
    open Microsoft Store library
  3. Check if WhatsApp has a version update pending.
  4. Press the button to install the new app update.
    update Whatsapp from Microsoft Store
  5. Relaunch WhatsApp after the update is complete.

5. Kill WhatsApp for PC from the Task Manager

Force close the WhatsApp desktop client on your PC and relaunch it. If you already have the necessary codec installed on Windows 11 but there is some bug stopping you from listening to or fast-forwarding the WhatsApp voice notes, killing the app temporarily should fix the issue.

  1. Press Ctrl +Shift +Esc to access the Task Manager.
  2. In the Processes tab, go to WhatsApp for PC.
  3. Right-click on the app name and select End Task from the menu.
    force close WhatsApp for desktop
  4. Press Windows + S to launch the search .
  5. Type WhatsApp in the search and click Open when the app shows in the search result.
    launch WhatsApp desktop app
  6. Access your voice notes in the chat and check if you can listen to them.

6. Use WhatsApp Web

One great thing about WhatsApp is its presence on different platforms. If listening to voice notes on WhatsApp’s desktop client is becoming a nuisance and no amount of troubleshooting is yielding any results, switch to WhatsApp Web.

  1. Launch the browser on your PC.
  2. In the address bar, type web.whatsapp.com
    use WhatsApp on web browser

You must first link your WhatsApp phone app to the PC browser to view the chats or send messages.

  1. Open WhatsApp on your phone.
  2. Press the menu button > select Linked Devices.
  3. Tap on Link a Device.
    whatsapp link a device
  4. On the PC browser, the WhatsApp Web should display a QR code if it is your first time using the Meta messaging app on a browser.
  5. Use the WhatsApp app’s QR scanner to scan the QR code on the PC screen.

Once successfully paired, WhatsApp chats will load on your browser. Go through the chats and check if you can play the voice notes.

7. Uninstall and Reinstall WhatsApp Client for Windows

Temporarily uninstall the WhatsApp desktop client and reinstall its latest version from the Microsoft Store. For some s, this troubleshooting method fixed the Opus codec error message on WhatsApp.

  1. Launch the Windows Settings by pressing Windows + I hotkeys.
  2. Click on Apps > Installed Apps.
    windows installed apps
  3. Go to WhatsApp and click the menu button next to it.
  4. Select Uninstall From the context menu, and confirm the action.
    uninstall whatsapp from windows settings
  5. Launch Microsoft Store.
  6. Search for WhatsApp and install the app from WhatsApp Inc.
    install latest version of Whatsapp desktop client

Launch the WhatsApp desktop app, link your phone, and check if you can play the voice notes in the chats.

8. Report of the Issue to WhatsApp

You must report the Codec issue to WhatsApp. This error appears regularly for Windows s and Meta should do the needful to fix the problem.

  1. Launch WhatsApp desktop client.
  2. Click the cogwheel icon for Settings On the left sidebar.
    whatsapp for desktop settings
  3. Select Help from the menu.
    WhatsApp help desktop client
  4. Press Us.
    whatsapp
  5. Describe the error in detail in the space provided and click Send to forward your report.
    send bug report to WhatsApp

Alternatively, you may also click on Get via Email to send a detailed report through email exchange.

On various forums, s had bad reviews for WhatsApp . Still, a report of the error from multiple s should push WhatsApp to manage the Opus codec issue for playing voice notes.

Bottom Line

WhatsApp is one of the most used instant messaging apps on smartphones and PCs. If you use it every day to exchange voice notes with your s, facing the Opus code error will make communication difficult for you. Follow these troubleshooting tips to get the necessary audio codec or use other means to access WhatsApp voice notes on your Windows PC.

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Swayam Prakash
Swayam is a professional content creator with 6-years of experience in conceptualizing, creating, and managing tech-based content for notable online publishing firms. At DigitBin, he creates quality-rich and simple content related to Windows OS, Android, iOS, social media, cloud computing, and other general consumer technology. Me on Linkedin

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