This can occur if you've updated your operating system or the tools used to create the audio files. The specific way an audio file is encoded or tagged can change over time. In some cases, the audio detector in Avidemux might also incorrectly identify a file, like misinterpreting an AAC file as AC3.
Import your audio → export as 16-bit PCM WAV. Works every time.
When you add an external audio track, Avidemux does not want to transcode it on the fly. It wants to the audio stream directly into the output container (MKV, MP4, AVI). For this to work, three conditions must be met:
Audio files with variable bitrates can confuse the software's timeline synchronization, leading to an immediate import rejection. avidemux+cannot+use+that+file+as+audio+track
If you are trying to use a FLAC or Opus file as an external track, you must change your output format to MKV . MP4 does not support FLAC natively.
Change the on the left sidebar from "Copy" to AAC (FDK) or MP3 (lame) if you want to ensure maximum playback compatibility across devices. Save your video ( File > Save ).
– Avidemux sometimes only sees the first one This can occur if you've updated your operating
The most reliable solution is to strip the audio of its container or heavy metadata using the free command-line tool FFmpeg. This exposes the raw audio track that Avidemux expects. For AAC / M4A Files:
Avidemux differs from Non-Linear Editors (NLEs) like Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve. In those programs, the software automatically converts audio to match the project settings. Avidemux, however, is designed to be a "direct stream copy" editor. It prefers not to re-encode data unless absolutely necessary.
user wants a long article about the Avidemux error "cannot use that file as audio track". I need to provide comprehensive troubleshooting information. I'll follow the search plan as outlined. I'll start with Round One searches. have gathered some relevant pages. Now I need to open them to extract detailed information. I'll open the top results from the initial search. have gathered a lot of information. Now I need to structure the article. I will cover common causes and solutions. I'll also include a quick diagnostic checklist and a conclusion. I will cite the sources appropriately.acing the "Avidemux cannot use that file as audio track" error can be a frustrating experience, especially when you need to complete a video project quickly. This article is a comprehensive guide dedicated to this specific issue. We'll explore why this error happens, the specific audio formats Avidemux supports, and, most importantly, provide you with a series of effective, practical solutions. Import your audio → export as 16-bit PCM WAV
If you're dealing with an MP3 file that still won't work after updating Avidemux, the issue is likely its metadata (like album art, tags from DJ software, etc.).
This is arguably the most powerful and reliable method.
Open the newly created .mkv file directly in Avidemux. Your audio will already be perfectly embedded. Solution 3: Use Command Line (FFmpeg Quick Fix)
Happy editing.