Windows Movie Maker Audio Codec

I’ve this problem for some time now, when I try to copy an audio file into Window Movie Maker, this message comes up:

“The file cannot be imported because the codec required to play the file is not installed on your computer. If you have already tried to download and install the codec, close and restart Windows Movie Maker, and then try to import the file again."

Does anyone know what codec I need, and where I can download it?

Hi pnutcracker,

From your message it is not clear what codec it needs. Clearly it needs to some particular audio codec that you currently do not have on your pc.

Try opening the file with one of the media file inspection/info applications listed here on our tools page:
http://www.moviecodec.com/tools.html

For instance you might try:
AVIcodec

MovieCodec Codec Tool

(or one of the others)

These aps can tell you which audio codec or audio tag that you need:

Here you can download audio codecs

Match particular audio tags to audio codecs

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Omnipotent Overlord of MVC

hey when i try to add an audio file to windows movie maker an error shows up saying i cannot import the file as it says it is an unspecified error. it’s an pm3 file. is there anyone hu can help me with this?

I have the same problem. When ever I try to upload music onto Windows Movie Maker, a message comes up. It say, “File can not download because codec file can not be detected." It is really annoying me because I JUST figured out how to upload and I can’t! Can some one please help?

Here is exactly what it says,
“The file C:\Users\kaitlyn\Music\iTunes\iTunes Music\CASCADA\Everytime We Touch\03 Bad Boy.m4p cannot be imported because the codec required to play the file is not installed on your computer. If you have already tried to download and install the codec, close and restart Windows Movie Maker, and then try to import the file again." But I downloaded a codec, but it was a movie one! Gr! And I can’t seem to find an Audio one. And also I tried Bjarne’s links but all the words are to cunfusing for me. I have no clue what it means. I don’t even know what codec means! BTW, this is coming from a 12 year old.

It sounds like we all have the same problem. I’m running a laptop with Windows vista installed, and whenever I try to upload a certain song (downloaded from iTunes) I get the above error message. I’d like to know what a codec is, at least, and if possible get the specific codec required to upload the song to windows Movie maker. Thanks in advance!
-The Coughmeister

The Coughmeister,

Did you work out which codec you needed. I think i am need the same one as you?

Please help. Very fustrated.

me too! what gives?

File m4a cannot be imported because the codec required to play the file is not installed on your computer. If you have already tried to download and install the codec, close and restart Windows Movie Maker, and then try to import the file again.
This is an Audio file that i canot copy to WMM, same problem, crazy stupid, it should not be this hard.

have an avi video tryin to play in both windows media and zune players no audio ... so in finding a codec which one do i use ?? where do i get it ??

its becuze itunes run off of quicktime. quicktime and windows are diffent so they wont work.. now with the music i no if you but them in a file then transfer them from the file to windows movie maker it might work. but i download all my music so it might be diffent but u can try.. sad thing is it dont work for vids i need the codec for videos so i can make my vid help plz..

when ever i try to put music in my vides it restarts my movie maker why dsoe it do that?

when ever i try to put music in my vides it restarts my movie maker why does it do that?

I am having the same problem, but it is a .mpg file.

I have no idea what codec I need.

WHY DOES NO ONE KNOW WHAT TO DO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Guys! Look..go to google and search up whatever codec you need, codec allows you to play music and vids. Im having a problem with music but no vids. I am currently fixing my problem, instead of complaining DO something about it!