Quick Answer
gomplayer.exe is safe. It's the official GOM Player multimedia player, running a dedicated process for playback, codecs, and plugins to keep media smooth.
Is it a Virus?
✔ NO - Safe
Must be in C:\Program Files\Gretech\GOMPlayer\GOMPlayer.exe
Warning
Multiple processes normal
GOM Player uses separate processes for decoding, rendering, and plugins
Can I Disable?
✔ ES
Close the player or disable startup in Windows; check Settings to limit background tasks
What is gomplayer.exe?
gomplayer.exe is the primary Windows executable for the Gretech GOM Player multimedia application. It launches the UI and coordinates playback, while delegating decoding, rendering, and plugin tasks to dedicated helper processes for smooth video and subtitle handling.
gomplayer.exe employs a lightweight launcher model with separate worker processes responsible for codecs, video rendering, and subtitle processing to improve stability and responsiveness during playback.
Quick Fact: GOM Player has long supported wide codec formats and subtitle plugins, leveraging multiple processes to keep playback responsive.
Types of GOM Player Processes
- Main Process: User interface and global controls (1 instance)
- Decoder Process: Video/audio codec decoding for active playback
- Renderer Process: Video rendering and overlay
- Subtitle/Plugin Process: Subtitle engine and plugin support
- Background/Helper Process: Background tasks like media library updates
Is gomplayer.exe Safe?
Yes, gomplayer.exe is safe when it's the legitimate file from Gretech downloaded from official sources (gomplayer.com or the Windows installer).
Is gomplayer.exe a Virus or Malware?
The real gomplayer.exe is NOT a virus. Malware sometimes uses similar names to disguise itself.
How to Tell if gomplayer.exe is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location: Must be in
C:\Program Files\Gretech\GOMPlayer\GOMPlayer.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\Gretech\GOMPlayer\GOMPlayer.exe. Any gomplayer.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
- Digital Signature: Right-click the file in Explorer or Task Manager -> Open file location -> Right-click gomplayer.exe -> Properties -> Digital Signatures. Should show "Gretech Corp."
- Resource Usage: Normal usage is around 5-25% CPU per active playback and 120-600 MB memory. Constant high usage with no media activity is suspicious.
- Behavior: GOM Player should launch when you open media and should not create unrelated processes when idle.
Red Flags: If gomplayer.exe is in an unusual folder (like Temp or AppData), runs without user action, lacks a valid signature, or uses resources constantly, scan with antivirus software. Beware of similarly named files like 'gomplayer32.exe' from untrusted sources.
Why Is gomplayer.exe Running on My PC?
gomplayer.exe runs when you launch GOM Player or when a media session is active. It may also run background services to ensure quick playback and subtitle fetch.
Reasons it's running:
- Active Media Playback: You're playing a video or audio track; the player creates worker processes for decoding and rendering.
- Background Decoding and Plugins: Codec libraries and subtitle plugins run in separate processes to keep playback smooth.
- Startup or Tray Behavior: GOM Player can be configured to start with Windows or remain in the system tray for quick access.
- Library Scanning and Updates: GOM Player may scan media folders and check for updates or subtitle packs in the background.
- Hardware Acceleration Tasks: The launcher may start GPU-accelerated decoding tasks to offload work from the CPU.
Can I Disable or Remove gomplayer.exe?
Yes, you can disable gomplayer.exe. You can close GOM Player when not in use and disable startup or background tasks in settings. Uninstall if you no longer need it.
How to Stop gomplayer.exe
- Close the Player: Close all GOM Player windows or use Exit from the tray icon.
- End Task: Open Windows Task Manager, locate gomplayer.exe, and End Task.
- Disable Startup: Task Manager -> Startup tab -> Disable Gretech GOM Player
- Disable Background Tasks: In GOM Player Settings, disable background subtitle/update checks if available.
- Uninstall: Windows Settings -> Apps -> Gretech GOM Player -> Uninstall
How to Uninstall GOM Player
- ✔ Windows Settings -> Apps -> Apps & features -> Gretech GOM Player -> Uninstall
- ✔ Control Panel -> Programs -> Uninstall a program -> Gretech GOM Player -> Uninstall
- ✔ Consider alternatives: VLC, PotPlayer, or MPC-HC
Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage
If gomplayer.exe is consuming excessive resources:
Common Causes & Solutions
- Too Many Videos or Large Libraries: Reduce open videos, disable auto-play, or use library management to limit scanning.
- Background Plugins: Disable unnecessary plugins in GOM Player preferences.
- Codec Compatibility: Update to latest GOM Player codecs or switch to a more standard format.
- Outdated Software: Update GOM Player to the latest version from the official site.
- Hardware Acceleration: Toggle Settings > Performance > Use hardware acceleration when available.
- Corrupted User Profile: Reset user preferences or create a fresh GOM Player profile.
Quick Fixes:
1. Close unused videos and disable background plugins
2. Update GOM Player to the latest version
3. Disable hardware acceleration to test stability
4. Clear cache or reset user settings
5. Check for malware with a security tool
Frequently Asked Questions
Is gomplayer.exe a virus?
No, the legitimate gomplayer.exe from Gretech is not a virus. Ensure the file path is C:\Program Files\Gretech\GOMPlayer\GOMPlayer.exe and check for a valid signature.
Why is gomplayer.exe using so much CPU?
High CPU is typically caused by heavy video decoding, codecs, or problematic audio/subtitle plugins. Check the built-in Task Manager in GOM Player and disable offending components.
Can I delete gomplayer.exe?
Yes, you can uninstall GOM Player from Windows Settings -> Apps. Your playlists and settings may be removed unless you back them up.
Can I disable gomplayer.exe?
Yes, you can close the player or disable startup from Task Manager. You can also disable background tasks in GOM Player settings.
Why does GOM Player start automatically?
If the installer configured it or Windows startup is enabled, GOM Player can launch on login. Disable via Task Manager -> Startup tab.
How do I update GOM Player?
Open GOM Player, go to Help -> Check for updates or Settings -> Updates, and install the latest version from the official site.