smplayer.exe

SMPlayer - Cross-Platform GUI Frontend for MPlayer

Application ProcessSafeMedia Player

CPU Usage

1-15%

Memory

40-180 MB

Location

Program Files

Publisher

The SMPlayer Team

Quick Answer

smplayer.exe is safe. SMPlayer is a free, open‑source GUI frontend for the MPlayer engine. The Windows executable is the official user interface that launches playback sessions and manages settings.

Is it a Virus?

✔ NO - Safe

Must be in Program Files\SMPlayer\smplayer.exe

Warning

Many processes normal

SMPlayer may spawn a backend MPlayer process per playback session

Can I Disable?

✔ YES

Close SMPlayer or disable startup to stop background processes

What is smplayer.exe?

smplayer.exe is the Windows executable for SMPlayer, a cross‑platform GUI frontend that controls the MPlayer engine. It provides a clean interface for playlists, subtitles, and settings, allowing you to play local files and streams with minimal configuration.

SMPlayer runs the MPlayer backend and communicates via pipes to control playback, subtitles, and audio tracks. It stores user preferences in a profile and exposes a GUI for codec options and stream handling.

Quick Fact: SMPlayer abstracts MPlayer into an accessible UI, so most users never interact with the command line.

Types of SMPlayer Processes

Main UI Process: The SMPlayer window that handles controls and playlists (single instance)
MPlayer Backend Process: Decodes and plays the media via MPlayer (one per playback)
Subtitle Helper Process: Fetches and applies subtitle tracks when available
Playlist Manager: Manages the current queue and session metadata
Update/Notifier: Background checks for SMPlayer updates or UI notifications

Is smplayer.exe Safe?

Yes, smplayer.exe is safe when it's the legitimate file from SMPlayer downloaded from official sources.

Is smplayer.exe a Virus or Malware?

The real smplayer.exe is NOT a virus. Malware sometimes disguises itself with similar names to trick users.

How to Tell if smplayer.exe is Legitimate or Malware

File Location: Must be in C:\Program Files\SMPlayer\smplayer.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\SMPlayer\smplayer.exe. Any smplayer.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
Digital Signature: Right-click the executable in File Explorer → Properties → Digital Signatures. Should show a valid SMPlayer signer.
Resource Usage: Normal usage is modest during playback. Extremely high or idle resource usage without playback is suspicious.
Behavior: SMPlayer should run when you start playback. Unexpected background activity or startup implies potential malware.

Red Flags: If smplayer.exe is located in unusual folders (like Temp or AppData), runs without SMPlayer installed, has no valid digital signature, or uses constant high resources, run a full antivirus scan. Beware of similarly-named files like "smplayerold.exe".

Why Is smplayer.exe Running on My PC?

smplayer.exe runs whenever SMPlayer is launched, and may stay active for background tasks such as subtitle lookups, cache updates, or paused playback sessions.

Reasons it's running:

Active Playback: You are playing a media file; SMPlayer starts the MPlayer backend to decode video and audio.
Background Tasks: Subtitle fetching, media library scanning, or remote metadata lookups can keep processes alive.
Startup Program: SMPlayer may be configured to launch at Windows startup or resume last session on login.
Update Checks: The app may periodically check for updates or notify about new releases.
Context Menu/Streaming: SMPlayer can integrate with shell context menus or play-from-browser features, triggering related helper processes.

Can I Disable or Remove smplayer.exe?

Yes, you can disable smplayer.exe. It's safe to close SMPlayer when not in use, and you can uninstall SMPlayer entirely if you prefer a different media player.

How to Stop smplayer.exe

Close SMPlayer: Click the Close button or use Alt+F4 to exit the application
End MPlayer Backend: In Task Manager, locate mplayer.exe along with smplayer.exe and End Task
Prevent Startup: Task Manager → Startup tab → Disable SMPlayer
Disable Background Tasks: In SMPlayer Settings → General → Ensure not set to start at login or resume last session
Uninstall SMPlayer: Windows Settings → Apps → SMPlayer → Uninstall

How to Uninstall SMPlayer

✔ Windows Settings → Apps → SMPlayer → Uninstall
✔ Control Panel → Programs → Programs and Features → SMPlayer → Uninstall
✔ Optionally remove leftover configuration in %APPDATA%\SMPlayer

Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage

If smplayer.exe is consuming excessive resources:

Common Causes & Solutions

Large or multiple media files: Playback of high‑resolution videos can spike CPU; reduce resolution or pause unused files.
Background subtitle fetch: Disable or limit subtitle services in SMPlayer settings.
Outdated SMPlayer: Update SMPlayer to the latest version from the official site.
Missing codecs: Install a complete codec package or correct decoder in SMPlayer settings.
Background tasks: Close SMPlayer when not watching, or disable startup and background checks.
Hardware acceleration issues: Disable hardware acceleration in SMPlayer or video backend settings.

Quick Fixes:
1. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager and identify heavy processes
2. Close unnecessary tabs and media files
3. Update SMPlayer to latest version
4. Check codec settings in SMPlayer → Preferences
5. Disable 'Resume last session' and startup options if not needed

Frequently Asked Questions

Is smplayer.exe a virus?

No, the legitimate smplayer.exe from SMPlayer is not a virus. Verify the file location: must be in C:\Program Files\SMPlayer\smplayer.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\SMPlayer\smplayer.exe, and ensure a valid digital signature from SMPlayer.

Why is smplayer.exe using so much CPU?

CPU usage spikes during high‑resolution playback or with complex codecs. Use SMPlayer Task Manager, reduce playback quality, or disable unnecessary subtitles and background services.

Can I delete smplayer.exe?

Yes, you can uninstall SMPlayer via Windows Settings → Apps. Your presets and playlists may be removed unless you back them up.

Can I disable smplayer.exe?

Yes, you can close SMPlayer or disable startup entry in Task Manager. Disable shell integrations if you do not use them.

Why is smplayer.exe running at startup?

SMPlayer may be configured to launch at Windows startup to restore the last session. Disable it in Task Manager → Startup tab or adjust SMPlayer's startup settings.

Why are there so many smplayer.exe processes?

SMPlayer can spawn separate backend processes for playback and auxiliary tasks. Each playback session may start an mplayer backend; you can see this in Task Manager.