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 avidemux+cannot+use+that+file+as+audio+track
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. The error " Cannot use that file as
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
Here’s a useful write‑up explaining the error “Avidemux cannot use that file as audio track”, why it happens, and how to fix it. Step 6: Convert the Audio File Externally Download
Download Audacity (free) or use FFmpeg. Convert the file to:
clean_audio.wav.Now retry Step 5 with the WAV file. Avidemux will always accept a standard WAV file when Audio Output is set to PCM or Copy (if the container allows it).
Follow this exact sequence when you see the error.