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DACB
Participant
February 18, 2026

WAV files not playing in last 2 versions of Premiere

  • February 18, 2026
  • 8 replies
  • 231 views
  • Issue – The last 2 versions of Premiere (at least) have had issues with WAV files playing, and after trying many different things to fix it, I’m sure it must be a bug in the software introduced with the updates. When importing WAV files into the timeline they will play for a while, and then after short period, or a few moves of the playhead, they will stop. In text based editing, transcribing does not recognise that there is any audio there at all.

    Opening old files that had perfectly functioning audio previously, now plays no audio despite the files still being there. Adobe can find the files on my PC (I checked through reveal in explorer), and clearing the media cache and resetting to default settings has not changed this.

    The files do not work when using render and replace, or if opened in Audition from Premiere.MP4 and MP3 sound work fine.

    To begin with the clips have a waveform in Premiere but this disappears when the file is saved and then reopened. 
     
  • Steps to reproduce –  1) Import a WAV file into a new Project’s timeline. The audio plays fine if I press play and then touch nothing and let it play though.
    2) If I move the playhead 5 times, whilst paused and then play, it stops the audio.
    3) Also I tried waiting 5 seconds in between each of stopping, moving the playhead and playing, and this stopped the audio after just two moves of the playhead.
    4) If I wait 5 seconds before clicking to move the playhead, then press play via the spacebar, it does play the audio. If I then click to move it again it stops playing the audio.
    5) Opening files made with previous versions of Premiere Pro when the audio did work seems to be intermittent. Yesterday the audio didn’t play, for any WAV files, today it does for any which haven’t been rendered and replaced, even with the above moving of the playhead. New WAV files imported also played, until I edited the clip length by dragging the end.
     
  • Expected result – The audio should play normally
  • Actual result – The sound stops playing and there is nothing in the audio indicators
  • Screen recording – If you think it might be helpful, include a recording of your screen, showing the issue.  
  • Adobe Premiere Pro version – Premiere 26.0
  • Operating system – Windows 11- latest updates installed
  • GPU driver version (Windows only) – NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti driver 560.94
  • Comparative information helps us understand more about when the issue occurs: 
    • Does it affect all projects or only some projects? All projects
    • Does it affect new projects? Yes
    • When did the problem begin? With version 25 as far as I am aware

    8 replies

    Known Participant
    March 20, 2026

    Having this issue too. Mixing audio to any extent is, like everything else with the 25/26 release, doubling the time it takes me to do anything. This isn't acceptable. These releases have been a complete disaster and you need to get your priorities right. Your apps are not reliable. What is going on?? Did you let interns build these versions?

    Andrew27802064218u
    Participant
    March 17, 2026

    I’m having the same issue, as well having a hard time with transcribing wav files. I’ve had a wav file play just fine, and then transcribe it in the text panel and afterwards the wav file won’t play, but I can see it scrolling the text was the playhead moves. I don’t get it. This is all behavior after the latest update.

    wayne565
    Participant
    March 20, 2026

    Yep.  Every update brings new problems.  I’ve had to just transform the wav files into .mp3 files, using Audition.

    Known Participant
    March 20, 2026

    I've said it 1000 times - the update cycle is clearly too much for Adobe to handle 

    MyerPj
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    March 4, 2026

    Can you share a wave that doesn't work? 

    wayne565
    Participant
    March 20, 2026

    No wav file will play, and it doesn’t matter what computer I’m using.  This behavior didn’t begin after the latest update--it began at least one update prior--but it has gotten much worse with the latest update.  Prior, only random wav files wouldn’t play.  Now none will.

    R Neil Haugen
    Legend
    March 20, 2026

    Wow ... most of my separate audio, as in 98% or better, is WAV, and there’s not a problem at all. On a Win10 desktop or Win11 laptop. And there aren’t tons of people complaining, so as someone who’s a hella troubleshooter by rep, I’m suspecting something local is the issue here.

    Everyone's mileage always varies ...
    wayne565
    Participant
    March 3, 2026

    I have this exact same problem, and it began only with the latest update.  None of the commonly advised remedies work (clearing the media cache, checking the audio hardware output, removing and reinstalling the software, etc.).

    I finally had to import my .wav files into Audition, then export them as .mp3 files.  But this is a ridiculous, irritating problem.

    Adobe, could you please get on this?

    MyerPj
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    February 18, 2026

    I gave it a try, but I couldn’t get it to happen. (Win-25H2, PP 26.01)

    IanB_360
    Community Manager
    Community Manager
    February 18, 2026

    Hi ​@DACB 
    When you stop hearing the audio play, in the mixer panel, are any levels bouncing? Is this only happening to specific .wav files? Does the audio cut out in other media files, such as MP4 or .mov? How many audio tracks do you have in the sequences? Can you share some of the .wav files that aren't playing back for you? I sent you a direct message.
    Here to help.
    Ian

    Known Participant
    March 3, 2026

    You should re release 2022/23 and say it's a new version, and everyone will be happy because it works 

    R Neil Haugen
    Legend
    March 3, 2026

    I have that ancient version still on two computers … and wow, it’s missing SO much that most of us use daily. No way I’d go back.

     

    That said, I totally sympathize with the flat out annoying behavior you’re getting! It’s ridiculous, really. I can’t replicate though on my systems, but I certainly hope this gets sorted. Whether it’s something on the local machines or the specific media or an actual bug in Premiere.

    Everyone's mileage always varies ...
    R Neil Haugen
    Legend
    February 18, 2026

    That’s bizarre and would be so irritating ... but try PeruBob’s advice, if it doesn’t, post back. That’s not a widespread behavior ...

    Everyone's mileage always varies ...
    Peru Bob
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    February 18, 2026

    Try Preferences > Audio Hardware and set Input to None.

    If that doesn't work, try creating a new project and import the old one into it.