P: Can't render audio 25.2

Same issue myself, never had this problem before. After importing a video file, my CPU spins up to like 70% and just sits there. My waveform looks like it processed a tiny amount then stopped:

The first time I opened the project and tried to add the file, it said the storage wasn't fast enough or something similar. I cleared the cache and re-imported it as a different name. It spun up the CPU for like 5 minutes then it stopped, but the waveform never generated.

In ProcMon it looked like it was slamming some temporary audio file the whole time. 

System specs:

Premiere Pro Version: 25.2.1 (Build 2)
Windows Version: Windows 11 Pro for Workstations 24H2 (Build 26100.3476)

System Hardware:
CPU: Intel 13900KS
GPU: Nvidia 5090 FE
GPU Driver Version: 572.83
RAM: 128GB
Storage: NVMe SSD - Optane 905P 1.5TB

I'm having the same issue--never had it before.

I started getting this since 25.2.1.

It might need a beat or two to catch up.

Info needed for a bug / tech support

Hi,

Variable frame rate is typically the culprit.

You can try the following:

1. Close your project.  Choose Preferences > Media Cache. Delete all media cache files.
2. In Preferences > Media > Turn off Hardware Accelerated Decoding.
3. Transcode your raw media to a constant framerate,  then replace media in your project. I use Handbrake for this.

Let us know how you go.

mj