Dolby Digital Plus Codec Availability in Various Windows 11 Operating Systems

Summary: The following article provides information about the availability of the Dolby Digital Plus codec on Dell Windows 11 based computers.

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.
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Symptoms

The Dolby Digital Plus (DD+) codec is missing from some Windows 11 operating systems

 

Those people that are replacing the Windows 11 operating system that came installed on their computer are reporting that the DD+ codec is missing.

They are reporting this after installing Windows 11 24H2 from either a Microsoft operating system image or an Enterprise version of Windows 11 24H2.

You may receive the following error when playing DD+ encoded content, if you do this to your Dell computer.

Dolby Digital Plus (DD+) Codec Missing Error Message

Note: The content can be played at a lower quality level without the DD+ codec.

 

Cause

Dolby Labs are limiting the availability of the DD+ codec to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) Windows 11 images. They are not making this codec available as a discrete application.

Resolution

You must have your Windows 11 operating system installed in one of the following methods if the DD+ codec is required on your Dell computer:

  • Dell computers that ship from the Dell factory with the Windows 11 24H2 operating system installed include the DD+ codec.
  • Upgrading the Dell-installed Windows 11 23H2 operating system (or earlier) to Windows 11 24H2 operating system retain the DD+ codec.
  • You retain the DD+ codec if you install a Dell Windows 11 24H2 operating system image from either Dell SupportAssist Operating System Recovery or the Dell Operating System Recovery Image (OSRI):


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Affected Products

Alienware, Inspiron, OptiPlex, Vostro, XPS, G Series, G Series, Alienware, Inspiron, Latitude, Vostro, XPS, Fixed Workstations, Mobile Workstations, Dell Pro Rugged 13 RA13250, Dell Pro Rugged 14 RB14250
Article Properties
Article Number: 000239726
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 17 Jul 2025
Version:  5
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