kmplayer.exe

KMPlayer Multimedia Player

Application ProcessSafeMedia Player

CPU Usage

1-15%

Memory

50-250 MB

Location

Program Files (x86)

Publisher

PandoraTV

Quick Answer

kmplayer.exe is safe. It is the official KMPlayer executable responsible for UI, playback, and codec integration.

Is it a Virus?

✔ NO - Safe

Must be in C:\Program Files\KMPlayer\KMPlayer.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\KMPlayer\KMPlayer.exe

Warning

Multiple processes may spawn

Each playback component and plugin may run in separate helper processes

Can I Disable?

✔ YES

Close KMPlayer gracefully or end the process from Task Manager

What is kmplayer.exe?

kmplayer.exe is the main executable for KMPlayer, a feature-rich media player that supports numerous formats, codecs, and streaming sources. It handles the user interface, playback controls, subtitle rendering, and integration with external codecs and plugins. You may observe separate helper processes tied to decoding and plugin tasks.

KMPlayer uses a modular architecture where the primary process coordinates UI and playback while dedicated worker threads or processes handle decoding, subtitle rendering, and codec integrations via DirectShow/FFmpeg backends, ensuring stability and flexible plugin support.

Quick Fact: KMPlayer supports a wide range of codecs and formats through external codecs and built-in decoders, enabling broad media compatibility.

Types of KMPlayer Processes

Main GUI Process: User interface, controls, and window management (1 instance)
Decoder/Renderer Process: Media decoding for current file (one per playback)
Codec/Plugin Loader: Loads external codecs and plugin components
Subtitle Handler: Renders subtitles and SRT/ASS tracks
Updater/Background Service: Checks for updates and performs background tasks

Is kmplayer.exe Safe?

Yes, kmplayer.exe is safe when it's the legitimate file distributed by PandoraTV from official KMPlayer sources or OEM pre-installations.

Is kmplayer.exe a Virus or Malware?

The real kmplayer.exe is not a virus. Malware can masquerade with similar names; verify digital signatures and locations.

How to Tell if kmplayer.exe is Legitimate or Malware

File Location: Must be in C:\Program Files\KMPlayer\KMPlayer.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\KMPlayer\KMPlayer.exe. Any kmplayer.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
Digital Signature: Right-click the file in Explorer → Properties → Digital Signatures. Should show a signature from "PandoraTV" or related KMPlayer publisher.
Resource Usage: Normal usage during playback is modest; extremely high usage when idle is suspicious.
Behavior: KMPlayer should not spawn unknown background services when not launched by user.

Red Flags: If kmplayer.exe is found in unusual folders (Temp, AppData, System32), runs on startup without user action, lacks a valid digital signature, or uses constant high resources, scan with antivirus and verify source.

Why Is kmplayer.exe Running on My PC?

kmplayer.exe runs when you start KMPlayer or when playback, streaming, or a plugin component is active. It may also be launched by background tasks for library indexing and updates.

Reasons it's running:

Active Media Playback: You are actively playing a video or audio file; the process manages decoding, rendering, and output.
Background Plugins: Plugins or extensions (like subtitle providers or streaming add-ons) may run in separate threads.
Startup Launch: KMPlayer can be configured to start with Windows or to resume last session, which starts kmplayer.exe at login.
Library and Metadata Scanning: KMPlayer indexing your media library and fetching metadata may keep the process active.
Background Updates: Update checks or background download tasks can briefly keep kmplayer.exe active even after closing the main window.

Can I Disable or Remove kmplayer.exe?

Yes, you can disable kmplayer.exe. You can exit KMPlayer gracefully, disable startup entry, or uninstall KMPlayer if you no longer need it.

How to Stop kmplayer.exe

Exit KMPlayer: Use the File menu > Exit or click the X button to close KMPlayer cleanly.
End Playback Tasks: If needed, use Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager and end kmplayer.exe.
Disable Startup: Task Manager > Startup tab > Disable KMPlayer
Stop Background Features: In KMPlayer settings, disable automatic updates and background scanning if available.

How to Uninstall KMPlayer

✔ Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → KMPlayer → Uninstall
✔ Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program → KMPlayer → Uninstall
✔ Consider alternatives: VLC, Media Player Classic, or PotPlayer

Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage

If kmplayer.exe is consuming excessive resources:

Common Causes & Solutions

Too many simultaneous renderers or plugins: Close unnecessary playback windows and disable unused plugins in KMPlayer settings
Outdated codecs: Update KMPlayer or install recommended codecs from the official site
Heavy subtitle rendering: Disable or simplify complex subtitle tracks; try a lightweight subtitle renderer
Large library indexing: Pause or limit automatic library scanning; rebuild library selectively
Hardware acceleration issues: Toggle hardware acceleration in KMPlayer settings or update graphics drivers
Background updates: Turn off automatic updates when not needed and perform manual updates instead

Quick Fixes:
1. Close unnecessary playback instances and restart KMPlayer
2. Update KMPlayer to the latest version from the official site
3. Disable unused codecs/plugins in Settings
4. Check for driver updates and re-enable hardware acceleration if supported
5. Clear cache and temporary files associated with KMPlayer

Frequently Asked Questions

Is kmplayer.exe a virus?

No, the legitimate kmplayer.exe from PandoraTV is not a virus. Verify the file path is C:\Program Files\KMPlayer\KMPlayer.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\KMPlayer\KMPlayer.exe and that the digital signature shows the KMPlayer publisher.

Why is kmplayer.exe using so much CPU?

High CPU usage can be caused by heavy decoding tasks, large subtitle files, or problematic codecs. Use KMPlayer Task Manager, update codecs, disable unnecessary plugins, and close extra playback windows.

Can I delete kmplayer.exe?

Yes, you can uninstall KMPlayer via Windows Settings > Apps > KMPlayer > Uninstall. Your media settings may be retained if you choose to keep user data. Reinstall if you decide to use KMPlayer again.

Can I disable kmplayer.exe at startup?

Yes. In Task Manager > Startup, disable KMPlayer so it doesn't launch at boot. This will not uninstall the program, only prevent automatic startup.

Why are there multiple KMPlayer related processes?

KMPlayer uses a modular architecture where UI, decoders, and plugins run in separate processes to improve stability. You can view activity with KMPlayer's internal task manager or Windows Task Manager.

Does KMPlayer require internet to play local media?

No, local media playback does not require internet. Some features like library updates or streaming sources may require connectivity.