Stuck at "Contacting Media Server"`

Alright so I'm kind of sick and tired of the Xbox One, Xbox video app letting me down every time I would like to watch a video stored on my computer. The first problem I used to get is "failed to initialize playlist". I found a work around for that, this
is problem #1, why do we need work around for something that was so easy of earlier version of the Xbox, you would think that with better technology Microsoft would have this figured out. After I get around the failed to initialize playlist, I now am getting
the "contacting media server" issue where it just get stuck there, why does it do this intermittently, how to do I fix this problem.

- Xbox One is in the Xbox Video App every time I try to watch a video from my computer.

- Computer is running Windows 7.

- WMP streaming options are set to allow streaming to the Xbox One.

- Network is considered "Home" network.

- Xbox One is a recognized device in my Devices & Printers (though it can not find a digital media renderer driver in windows update, how bout we get on that Microsoft).

- Right clicking on file and highlighting PlayTo and selecting Xbox One is used

- I've restarted the Xbox One and Computer several times to no avail.

- I've stopped and started services like WMP Network Sharing Service and UPnP Device Host multiple times.

- I've disabled the firewall on my computer.

This process would be a whole lot easier if Xbox One and Microsoft went back to something that works or put something in Xbox One Video App (like an selectable option like "Incoming Steaming Video") so you can either view your computer files like previous
versions of Xbox or something that clearly states that you are going to watch videos from a computer or other media source so that the Xbox One automatically is open as a media server, that way my computer can readily contact the media server and queue a video
and go on about its business of streaming movie.

If anyone has another suggestions please let me know and I'll try them. Thanks

:)

 

Can't get "Play to" feature to work...

Ok so I've been trying to stream music and video using the "Play to" feature on my Xbox One but I can't get it to work. I added the Xbox One device in my "Control Panel" but it says the driver for the Digital Media Rendered is not installed. I go to music
and videos and do "Play to" anyway, and it usually just sits on "Contacting media server..." or says "Failed to retrieve media information from media server" or "Failed to initialize playlist." I've made sure I have the streaming feature enabled on my laptop,
but it still doesn't work. I'm running Windows 7 if that matters. Please help!

 

Stuck at "Signing in"

Same problem, now fixed thanx guys.

 

I had the exact same problem this morning. I disabled AVG's LinkScanner and all is now fine.

Hope this helps

 

bump, where is the Microsoft help here... seriously get on this....

 

Had That Problem Now Fixed It Doing This

For those that Play To is not available or it sits at Connecting to Media Server and doesn’t change: search for “services” in the windows search. I think it’s services.svc or something but mine just populates at the top of the list. Then right click on “Windows
media player network sharing service” select Stop. Right click on “UPnP Device Host” and select Stop. Right click the UPnP again and start it.

Start the Windows media player network sharing service again.

You should get past the “connecting to server” thing now.

worked for me

 

"Had That Problem Now Fixed It Doing This

For those that Play To is not available or it sits at Connecting to Media Server and doesn’t change: search for “services” in the windows search. I think it’s services.svc or something but mine just populates at the top of the list. Then right click on “Windows
media player network sharing service” select Stop. Right click on “UPnP Device Host” and select Stop. Right click the UPnP again and start it.

Start the Windows media player network sharing service again.

You should get past the “connecting to server” thing now."

This worked for me. thanks

 

The OP has stated the fix listed above HAS NOT worked for him. I am in the same boat and have done all the above. Yet my brother got it to work on his PC on my network

 

"Had That Problem Now Fixed It Doing This

For those that Play To is not available or it sits at Connecting to Media Server and doesn’t change: search for “services” in the windows search. I think it’s services.svc or something but mine just populates at the top of the list. Then right click on “Windows
media player network sharing service” select Stop. Right click on “UPnP Device Host” and select Stop. Right click the UPnP again and start it.

Start the Windows media player network sharing service again.

You should get past the “connecting to server” thing now.

worked for me "

WOW. After MONTHS of not being able to get this to work i finally have because of you Snedy. Freaking awesome!!!!

 

does not work with windows 8.1 :/

 

thanks mate. worked for me

 

"Had That Problem Now Fixed It Doing This

For those that Play To is not available or it sits at Connecting to Media Server and doesn’t change: search for “services” in the windows search. I think it’s services.svc or something but mine just populates at the top of the list. Then right click on “Windows
media player network sharing service” select Stop. Right click on “UPnP Device Host” and select Stop. Right click the UPnP again and start it.

Start the Windows media player network sharing service again.

You should get past the “connecting to server” thing now.

I did this and now have lost the "Play To" option completely...

 

I used the method where you stop and then restart the services in control panel. Worked fine for me thanks very much.

 

Hey there Mike0707,

Thanks for posting up what worked for you! If you have any Xbox Support related questions in the future, please feel encouraged to create a new thread detailing what you're experiencing. We are here to help out in any way we can. Thanks in advance!