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Ellia230
Ellia230
Participant
February 6, 2026

P: Audio Playback Error 1609891835 After Downgrading Project

  • February 6, 2026
  • 3 replies
  • 41 views

I’m getting “Error Code: 1609891835 - Premiere Pro could not start audio playback” on specific timelines after downgrading a project from v26 to v25.5.

Here’s what I’ve done so far:

  1. Deleted all media cache files from Premiere and ~/Library/Cache

  2. Changed playback device to Adobe SRT in Preferences

  3. Tried different sequence settings (ProRes, H.264)

  4. Reinstalled audio drivers

The issue only happens on sequences edited in v26, even after downgrading. Video plays, but audio fails with the error above.

System:
macOS Sequoia 15.3.2
MacBook Pro M3 Max, 48GB RAM
Premiere Pro 25.5

Any help troubleshooting this would be great—I’m unable to edit my recent work.

      3 replies

      MUTHU3718772598vo
      MUTHU3718772598vo
      Participant
      February 11, 2026

      Hi guys, 

      I upgraded to premiere pro 26 at one point (without knowing). Then after a couple of days I did not like the update and premiere was crashing so I downgraded the project file to 2025 using Keka on mac. I compressed the file (zip or gzip) then I extracted and edited the text document file (changed version no.45 to no.1) then I opened it in 2025. it said the new masking issue. Then I continued to work in 25 but then when I press play, it shows an error (attached below).  video also does not playback. This is such a horrible bottleneck. 

      I have started using the file in 2026 now. it does not say masking issue. But it still shows the error and does not playback. How do I solve this? I uninstalled and re-installed premiere , removed preferences, still the issue persists. 

       

      R
      Community Manager
      Rach McIntireCommunity Manager
      Community Manager
      February 11, 2026

      HI ​@MUTHU3718772598vo,

      I merged you since others are having a similar issue.  Are you able to provide the original 26 project, the 25 downgrade, and the new 26 upgrade?  

      MUTHU3718772598vo
      MUTHU3718772598vo
      Participant
      February 12, 2026

      Yes sure. I can. This is my first time interacting with the forum. Can you help me on what are the next steps I should do to upload the files for you to review?

      IanB_360
      Community Manager
      IanB_360Community Manager
      Community Manager
      February 7, 2026

      Hi ​@Ellia230 
      Welcome to the Premiere community. Could you share the project file and also describe how you downgraded the project file from 26 to 25.5?
      Here to help.
      Ian

      R Neil Haugen
      R Neil Haugen
      Legend
      February 6, 2026

      What were the specific steps you used to downgrade the project file?

      Everyone's mileage always varies ...
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