This error appears when Avidemux can’t import or use the selected audio file as the audio track for your project. Below are concise causes and step-by-step fixes.
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.
Sometimes Avidemux prefers it if you don't use the "Select Track" menu immediately. avidemux+cannot+use+that+file+as+audio+track
Ensure you are using the latest nightly build or stable release from the official Avidemux website 4. The "Dummy Video" Trick If you are trying to save
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 This error appears when Avidemux can’t import or
Why this works: This removes the restrictive M4A container and provides a raw AAC stream, which Avidemux handles better. 4. Change Audio Output Settings in Avidemux
Change the "Audio Output" dropdown to match your external file’s actual codec, or set it to a re-encoding mode. Sometimes Avidemux prefers it if you don't use
Frustrated, Alex realized the culprit was likely a modern container—perhaps an file tucked inside an MP4 or M4A wrapper. Avidemux, a tool of precision but also of specific rules, often refuses to invoke demuxers for external tracks that aren't "raw". It wanted the soul of the music, not the fancy packaging. The Turning Point
: Avidemux cannot invoke demuxers for external audio tracks. If you try to add an .m4a or .mp4 file as an external track, it will fail because these are containers, not raw streams.
If Avidemux simply won't cooperate, use a dedicated muxing tool like . Drag your video and your audio file into MKVToolNix. Uncheck the original audio and keep the new audio. Hit "Start multiplexing."