Sometimes, Avidemux simply cannot handle a specific file. It is not a professional audio engineer. If you have spent 20 minutes troubleshooting, consider these alternatives for muxing external audio:
If MKVToolNix rejects your audio file, your file is truly corrupted. If MKVToolNix accepts it but Avidemux doesn’t, then Avidemux is the bottleneck.
Ensure that your audio file is in a format supported by Avidemux, such as WAV, MP3, OGG, or AAC. If your file is in a different format, try converting it to a supported format using a tool like FFmpeg or Audacity.
Demux the audio from the original container (if it’s inside a video file)
Re-mux the audio into a compatible container
Repair or re-download if file is corrupted
Match sample rate / channels
Use Avidemux project settings correctly
If Avidemux still rejects it
If none of the above solutions work, try using a different audio file to see if the issue is specific to the file or a more general problem.
Step-by-step guide to troubleshooting
To help you troubleshoot the issue, follow these steps:
Conclusion
The "Cannot use that file as audio track" error in Avidemux can be frustrating, but it's usually caused by a simple issue that can be resolved. By checking the audio file format, verifying file integrity, checking file path and permissions, updating Avidemux, and re-encoding the audio file, you should be able to resolve the issue. If you're still experiencing problems, feel free to ask for further assistance in the comments below.
Additional resources
By following the solutions and troubleshooting guide outlined in this article, you should be able to resolve the "Cannot use that file as audio track" error in Avidemux and get back to editing your video projects.
The error message " cannot use that file as audio track " in Avidemux typically occurs when the software's demuxer cannot properly parse the external audio file you are trying to add. This often stems from container incompatibility, metadata issues, or outdated software versions. avidemux.org Common Causes & Solutions Container Incompatibility (M4A/MP4/MKV)
: Avidemux cannot use audio that is already inside a container (like : You must provide the "raw" audio stream (e.g., ) or convert the file to a standard before importing. Metadata Interference
: Files from certain sources (like Traktor) may have metadata headers that confuse Avidemux, leading it to misread the file's sample rate or format.
: Use a tool to strip metadata or "clean" the audio file by re-saving it in a basic audio editor. Unsupported Bit Depth or Codecs
: Avidemux may reject specific high-fidelity formats, such as 24-bit WAV : Convert the audio to 16-bit WAV at 44.1kHz or 48kHz for the best compatibility. Outdated Software Version
: Older versions of Avidemux (e.g., 2.7.x) had known bugs related to external audio track recognition. : Upgrade to the latest stable release (e.g.,
or newer) or try a nightly build, which often includes fixes for these parsing errors. avidemux.org How to Correctly Add an External Track Cannot use mp3 as audio track - avidemux.org
The "Cannot use that file as audio track" error in Avidemux typically occurs because the software is highly restrictive about the containers and codecs it accepts for external audio streams. Core Reasons for the Error
Muxed Containers (M4A, MP4, MKV): Avidemux cannot use audio files already "wrapped" in a container like .m4a or .mp4 as an external track. It lacks the internal demuxers to strip these for external loading.
Non-Raw Formats: External tracks must generally be "raw" bitstreams. For example, while standard MP3s often work, AAC files must be in an ADTS- or LATM-encapsulated format, not a standard .m4a file.
Unsupported Codecs: Certain codecs, like Vorbis (.ogg), are only supported when re-encoding an existing track and cannot be loaded as a new external source.
Metadata Interference: Files with complex metadata (e.g., Traktor ID3 tags in MP3s) can confuse Avidemux, causing it to misread the sampling rate and reject the file.
Bit Depth/Rate Issues: Some versions of Avidemux struggle with 32-bit float WAV files; using 16-bit PCM WAV is more reliable. Common Fixes avidemux+cannot+use+that+file+as+audio+track
Convert to WAV: The most reliable workaround is to convert your audio file to a standard 16-bit PCM WAV using a tool like Audacity.
Use MKVToolNix: If you just need to "marry" an audio file to a video without re-encoding, MKVToolNix-GUI is often a faster, more flexible alternative that accepts most containers.
Update Software: Ensure you are using the latest version (e.g., Avidemux 2.8.1 or newer), as some file handling bugs are fixed in nightly builds.
Extract Raw AAC: If you must use AAC, use a tool like FFmpeg to extract it from its container into a raw ADTS stream before loading. Cannot use mp3 as audio track - avidemux.org
This is a story about a filmmaker named Elias who encounters a stubborn technical error while finishing his masterpiece.
The clock in Elias’s studio ticked toward 3:00 AM, the rhythmic sound mockingly keeping pace with the pulsing vein in his temple. He was one click away from finishing The Silent Echo, a documentary three years in the making. All he needed to do was mux the final, remastered orchestral score into the video container.
He opened Avidemux, selected his video file, and navigated to the "Select Track" menu for the audio. He located the high-fidelity file he’d spent weeks perfecting, clicked "Open," and waited for the familiar green light of progress.
Instead, a cold, grey dialogue box appeared like a tombstone on his screen: "Cannot use that file as audio track."
Elias blinked. He tried again. The same blunt rejection stared back at him. He checked the format—it was a standard WAV file. He checked the sample rate—48kHz, perfectly normal. He even tried renaming the file, as if the software simply didn't like the name "Final_Score_v27_REAL_FINAL."
"Come on," he whispered to the glowing monitor. "I’ve given you everything. Why won't you take it?"
The silence of the room felt heavier. He began a frantic dance of troubleshooting. He converted the audio to MP3, then to AAC, then back to a different flavor of WAV. Each time, Avidemux remained an unyielding gatekeeper. It wasn't just a technical glitch; it felt like a personal snub from the machine he had trusted with his vision.
Desperate, he dove into the digital underworld of forum threads from 2012. He scrolled through endless pages of "Me too!" and "Fixed it by restarting," until he found a cryptic post by a user named CodecGhost.
“Avidemux is a picky eater,” the post read. “Sometimes it hates the metadata more than the data. If the header is bruised, the door stays locked.”
Elias realized he had been exporting the audio with complex "extensible" headers from his professional workstation. He stripped the file down to its barest essentials—no tags, no metadata, just raw, unadorned pulse-code modulation. Sometimes, Avidemux simply cannot handle a specific file
With trembling fingers, he loaded the stripped file. He clicked "Open."
The dialogue box stayed hidden. The track appeared in the slot, ready and waiting. Elias hit "Save," and watched the progress bar sprint toward 100%. As the sun began to bleed through his blinds, the "File saved successfully" notification appeared—the most beautiful sentence he had ever read.
To fix the "Cannot use that file as audio track" error in Avidemux, you typically need to convert your audio into a raw format or a simpler container. Avidemux often fails to import audio tracks that are already muxed into modern containers like avidemux.org 1. Unsupported File Containers
Avidemux often cannot invoke demuxers for external audio tracks that are already inside a container avidemux.org : You are likely trying to add an file that is technically a "video container without video" avidemux.org to export the audio as a file before importing it into Avidemux avidemux.org 2. Required Audio Formats
Avidemux has specific requirements for external tracks depending on the version and the intended use avidemux.org Supported Formats : MP3, WAV (PCM), AC3, and MP2 avidemux.org AAC Requirement : If using AAC, it must be (ADTS- or LATM-encapsulated), not inside an avidemux.org Secondary Tracks : If you are adding a audio track, it must be (Constant Bit Rate), such as MP3 CBR or AC3 3. Outdated Software
The error is more common in older versions that lack support for certain modern codecs. : Ensure you are using at least Avidemux 2.8.1 or the latest nightly build avidemux.org 4. Step-by-Step Replacement Guide If you need to swap the audio in your video file: New user getting "Cannot use that file as audio track"
Title: Troubleshooting Avidemux: How to Fix the "Cannot Use That File as Audio Track" Error
Avidemux is a favorite tool for video editors who need quick, lossless cuts and simple format conversions. It is lightweight, open-source, and powerful. However, users occasionally encounter a puzzling error message when trying to add external audio to a video project: "Cannot use that file as audio track."
This error is frustrating because it halts your workflow immediately, and the error message itself offers very little explanation. If you are staring at this prompt, don't worry. It is rarely a sign of a broken installation. Instead, it is usually a technical mismatch between your video project settings and the audio file you are trying to import.
Here is a breakdown of why this error happens and how to fix it.
Go to Audio > Select Track or Audio > Main Track > External. Navigate to your .mp3, .wav, or .m4a file.
Does it work now? If yes, the problem was a codec mismatch. You can now change Audio Output from PCM to Copy or MP3 and test again to find the optimal setting.
Does it still fail? If PCM fails, your audio file is severely corrupted or in an exotic format (like ALAC or DTS). Proceed to Step 6.
Avidemux will never accept:
In those cases, always convert to 48 kHz 16‑bit PCM WAV – that’s the most reliable format for Avidemux.