Fret not. When MIDI files suddenly stop to play in Windows Mail or Outlook Express, the causes may be manifold and mysterious, but you can try a number of quick hacks — and one typically will work.
Fix MIDI Not Playing in Windows Mail or Outlook Express
To make MIDI files play again as background music in Windows Mail or Outlook Express:
- Make sure you have Windows Media Player installed. If you don't, download and install it with default settings.
- Check the SW Synth or MIDI Synth volume in your volume control panel. Make sure it is not set to zero or muted.
If you are using Windows Vista:
- Select Default Programs from the Start menu.
- Click Associate a file type or protocol with a program.
- For the .mid, .midi and .rmi types:
- Highlight the file type.
- Click Change program.....
- Highlight Windows Media Player.
- Click OK.
If you are using Windows XP:
- Select Control Panel from the Start menu.
- Select Tools | Folder Options... from the menu.
- Go to the File Types tab.
- For the MID and MIDI extensions:
- Highlight the file type.
- Click Change under Details.
- Select Windows Media Player under Opens with.
- Click OK.
- Now click Sounds, Speech and Audio Devices.
- Select Sound and Audio Devices.
- Go to the Audio tab.
- Make sure Microsoft GS Wavetable SW Synth is selected under MIDI music playback.
- Click OK.
