Avidemux is picky about formats. If you are trying to add a standalone audio file: Use MP3 or AAC : These are the most reliable. If you have a file, Avidemux might reject it depending on the version. Convert the Audio : Use a tool like VLC Media Player to convert your audio file to a standard MP3 (128kbps or 192kbps) before importing. 2. Use the "Select Track" Method
Instead of dragging and dropping, use the internal menu to map the audio: Select Track
In the window that appears, check the box for "Track 1" (or the next available track).
Click the dropdown menu (which usually says "Copy") and select Add audio track Browse for your converted MP3 file. 3. Match the Sampling Rate
Avidemux sometimes fails if the audio sampling rate (e.g., 48000 Hz) doesn't play nice with the video's timeline: Resampling box and set it to
Change the "Audio Output" on the left sidebar from "Copy" to MP3 (lame) to force a re-encode during the save process. 4. Update Avidemux
Older versions have known bugs with external audio tracks. Ensure you are using the latest stable release from the official Avidemux site to prep your files for Avidemux? How to add audio to video with VLC and Avidemux
Here’s a social media post (optimized for Reddit, forums, or Twitter) addressing the common Avidemux error: “Cannot use that file as audio track”.
Option 1: Reddit / Forum Style (Helpful & Detailed)
Title: Fix for Avidemux error: "Cannot use that file as audio track"
Post: Spent 20 minutes fighting this today. If you're trying to add an external audio track in Avidemux and getting the red error "Cannot use that file as audio track" — here’s why and how to fix it.
🔍 Why it happens:
Avidemux is very picky about audio formats for external tracks. It often rejects MP3, AAC, or M4A files, especially if the sample rate or codec doesn't match the video’s expected container.
✅ Solutions that work:
Re-wrap the audio (fastest fix)
Use ffmpeg (or Audacity) to convert the audio to WAV (16-bit PCM) or AC3.
FFmpeg command:
ffmpeg -i input_audio.m4a -c:a pcm_s16le output_audio.wav
Then load the WAV file in Avidemux → Audio → Select Track → External Track.
Use “Save as WAV” in Audacity
Import your audio → export as 16-bit PCM WAV. Works every time.
Match the video’s audio format
Go to Audio → Main Track → External Track, then choose Copy or Convert to PCM (not “Copy” if using MP3/AAC externally).
Don’t load the audio first
Open the video → Audio → Main Track → External Track → browse for your audio file. Never drag/drop an audio file first.
💡 Pro tip: Avidemux works best with PCM WAV or AC3 for external tracks. MP3/M4A almost always triggers that error.
Hope this saves someone the headache! 🎬
Option 2: Twitter / Mastodon (Short & Punchy)
Getting “cannot use that file as audio track” in Avidemux?
Fix: Convert your audio to 16-bit WAV first (Audacity or ffmpeg). Avidemux hates MP3/M4A as external tracks.
Also: Add via Audio → Main Track → External Track — never drag & drop.
#Avidemux #VideoEditing #LinuxVideo
Option 3: Quick troubleshooting checklist (for a forum reply) avidemux+cannot+use+that+file+as+audio+track
Fix “cannot use that file as audio track” in Avidemux:
- Convert audio to PCM WAV (16-bit)
- In Avidemux: Audio → Main Track → External Track
- Set Audio Output to “Copy” or “PCM”
- Avoid MP3, AAC, M4A, OGG as external tracks
- Make sure video container isn’t set to “Copy” for audio when using external
The error "Cannot use that file as an audio track" in Avidemux typically occurs because the software is highly specific about the containers and formats it accepts for external audio. Unlike standard media players, Avidemux often requires "raw" streams rather than audio wrapped in common containers like MP4. Why This Happens
Container Conflict: Avidemux cannot use audio that is already muxed into a container like .m4a or .mp4 as an external track. It expects the raw stream (e.g., ADTS-encapsulated AAC).
Unsupported Formats: Certain formats like .ogg or Vorbis are often supported for re-encoding but may not be accepted as external input tracks.
Bit-Depth Issues: High bit-depth files (e.g., 32-bit WAV) can trigger errors; Avidemux generally prefers 16-bit or 24-bit WAV. Quick Fixes
Convert to WAV (16-bit): Use a tool like Audacity to export your audio as a 16-bit PCM WAV file. This is the most "universally acceptable" format for Avidemux.
Use Raw Streams for AAC: If you are using AAC, ensure it is in a raw format like .aac (ADTS-encapsulated) rather than an .m4a container.
Update Avidemux: Ensure you are using at least version 2.8.1 or a recent nightly build, as newer versions have improved demuxer support.
Alternative Tool: For quickly swapping audio tracks without re-encoding, MKVToolNix is often more flexible than Avidemux for handling various audio containers. How to Properly Add the Track
New user getting "Cannot use that file as audio track" - avidemux.org
Use File > Open to load your main video file. Do not add the external audio first.
ffmpeg -i input.ext -acodec pcm_s16le -ar 48000 -ac 2 output.wav
ffmpeg -i input.ext -c:a aac -b:a 192k -ar 48000 output.m4a
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -vn -c:a copy audio.ext
Avidemux is a simple but powerful video editor. However, it is not a full audio converter or a multi‑track audio mixer.
When you try to add an external audio file (via Audio → Select Track or Main Track) and see: Avidemux is picky about formats
“Cannot use that file as audio track”
it usually means one of these:
The audio file has a sample rate Avidemux cannot handle
(Avidemux works best with 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz – 22 kHz or 96 kHz often fail)
The audio file uses a codec Avidemux does not support for external tracks
(e.g., AAC from some containers, Vorbis, Opus, MP2)
The file is not purely audio – you may have accidentally chosen a video file as the audio source
The audio file is variable bitrate (VBR) MP3 – Avidemux can be picky with VBR in external files
The audio track in the file is not the first/default track – Avidemux sometimes only sees the first one
Check if the audio file is corrupted or damaged. Try playing the file in a media player, such as VLC or Windows Media Player, to see if it plays correctly. If it doesn't play, you may need to re-encode the file or obtain a new copy.
Avidemux is a beloved tool in the video editing world for one simple reason: it’s fast, free, and perfect for cutting, filtering, and re-encoding video without the bloat of professional suites like Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve. However, its simplicity has a downside. When something goes wrong, the error messages can be cryptic, unhelpful, and infuriating.
One of the most common frustrations users face is the dreaded red banner or pop-up stating:
"Cannot use that file as an audio track"
You’ve selected an external audio file (like an MP3, WAV, or AAC) to replace or merge with your video’s audio, but Avidemux refuses to cooperate. Why? And more importantly, how do you fix it? Option 1: Reddit / Forum Style (Helpful &
This article will dissect every possible cause of this error, from container confusion to codec conflicts, and provide step-by-step solutions to get you back to editing.
If none of the above works, your issue is likely with the video track itself, not the audio.