Unable to import MP4 (H.264) files after updating to After Effects 17.0.5

[Rameez_Khan]

After updating to After Effects 17.0.5, some users have reported that After Effects is unable to import H.264 and H.265 files.

It looks like there is some confusion around this issue and I'd like to provide more clarification:

• H.264 and H.265 import support haven't been removed. This is a bug and we're working on it.
• For now, I'd recommend that you reinstall After Effects 17.0.4 (steps provided below).
• If you don't want to reinstall After Effects 17.0.4, you can transcode the files using Adobe Media Encoder into a different format.

In order to help our teams fix this quickly, we need your help. Please provide the following information so that I can take it to the engineering teams.

• What version of Premiere Pro are you currently using, the one which does import footage?
• What version of After Effects were you using before you updated to 17.0.5?
• Where do you store your footage? On a networked drive like a NAS or locally?

• Would you be able to share your System Information file and some sample media files with us? If so, please follow these steps to obtain the System Information file:

macOS:
Follow the steps given in this article: https://support.apple.com/en-in/HT203001

Windows:
1. Hold the Windows key and press R to open the Run window
2. Type msinfo32 and click OK
3. From the System Information window, go to File > Save
4. Save the file as .NFO

After collecting the System Information file, upload it to a cloud sharing service like Google Drive, Dropbox or Adobe Creative Cloud Files and share the URL in the comments below.

Here is how you can reinstall After Effects 17.0.4.

Reinstalling After Effects 17.0.4 from the CC desktop app

Original community discussion: https://community.adobe.com/t5/after-effects/can-t-import-videos-after-updating-to-17-0-5-build-16/t...

Thank you for your patience and cooperation.

Rameez Khan

Community Manager and Social Support Strategist, After Effects

[wtmlnz]

Thanks for that but unfortunately I still don't have that option.

[Roland Kahlenberg -]

Ensure you have the latest Adobe Creative Cloud app. See image below for my Adobe CC version.

Which OS are you using, which Adobe CC version and which Adobe AE version(s) do you have installed?

[wtmlnz]

Ah, I see the "other versions" button now!

I initially was going onto my Adobe account ONLINE rather than actually opening up the Creative Cloud app on my Mac. I will try the reinstall and see if this fixes my problem. Thanks for your help.

[Roland Kahlenberg -]

Have you managed to resolve your issue? It's good that others know a solution has been provided, from a user.

And perchance, are you from either Malaysia, Singapore or Taiwan?

[Rameez_Khan]

Hi wtmlnz,

Please send your Adobe ID to me via a private message. I'll check why you're not able to reinstall a previous version of After Effects. 

Thanks.

Rameez

[Baspren]

Hi everyone,

I faced this problem yesterday and I converted the video to more than one format and it did not all work but when I converted it to AVI it worked normally.

I wish you good luck 🙂 .

[Rameez_Khan]

Thanks for letting us know.

-Rameez

[antonio777]

For those transcoding the files, I have found there's no need to...  just rename the extension to .AVI and After Effects is able to import the file with no problems. Maybe this can be of help in trying to figure out the problem.

[Roland Kahlenberg -]

I'm highly sceptical this recommendation will work for all use-cases. I believe the reason this works for you is that your original source had a lain vanila H264 and not created as a QuickTime H264.

Please share with us the original source of your H264. Thanks.

[antonio777]

I"m not sharing anything, why should I?.. If it doesn't work for anybody then at least they can try.

[Rameez_Khan]

Thanks for sharing, Rockstard555.

I've shared this with the After Effects team.

-Rameez

[DankboSaggins]

I downgraded to 1.17.4 and even 1.17.2 and still get this error.

My .NFO file (Google Drive) 

[Rameez_Khan]

Thanks for sharing the System Information file. I've attached it to the bug.

Can you double-check the AE version number and let me know which one you are on right now? https://adobe.ly/2Tri88U

Best,

Rameez

[DankboSaggins]

I downgraded to 1.17.0 and it works fine, but I was on 1.17.5

[gizem_guzeldere]

Hello, I was having the same problem. then I converted the mp4 file to avi file and it worked. I hope this problem will be fixed.

[antonio777]

Did you try by just renaming the extension instead of converting?... it would sure make the workflow a lot faster than converting but it may not work for everybody and every file.

[Rameez_Khan]

Hi Rockstard555,

Can you confirm the type of Adobe subscription that you have? Do you use the same Adobe ID with Creative Cloud apps that is associated with your community profile?

Let me know.

Rameez

[Rameez_Khan]

Hi Rockstard555,

Can you confirm the type of Adobe subscription that you have? Do you use the same Adobe ID with Creative Cloud apps that is associated with your community profile?

Let me know.

Rameez

[Hjalte]

What would an alternative format to h.264/65 be to maintain quality - file size not really a problem?

Just for re-importing into AE

[Rameez_Khan]

Hi all,

Have you updated to After Effects 17.0.6? Does that resolve this problem?

Let me know.

Rameez

[antonio777 · Accepted solution]

I just got the notification and updated, the problem is fixed... thank you.

[Rameez_Khan]

Thanks for confirming.

Best,

Rameez

[SpiresVideo]

After Effects 17.0.6 still does not import H.264 footage.

I have rolled back to 17.0.4, 17.0.2 & 17.0.1 and none of them import H.264 footage.

Rolled back to 16.13 and it imports H.264 footage just fine.

Installing the Beta version of After Effects now... will let you know how it works.

[SpiresVideo]

Beta (17.1.1 [build 8]) does not import H.264 footage either.

Get a message saying, "After Effects (Beta) warning: Problem encountered with file "xxx.mp4". Data File: Unknown

[Rameez_Khan]

Hi SpiresVideo,

I'm very sorry to hear that you're experiencing this with all versions of 17.x.x.

Let me share this with the After Effects team and see if they have any suggestions.

Best,

Rameez