[2024] Premiere Pro Only Importing Audio - SOLUTION

Adobe Premiere Pro Imports Only Audio In The Project Bin

Imagine importing a video, eagerly anticipating the edit, only to find that only the audio has made its way into the project bin. It's a hiccup that many editors, both novice and seasoned, have encountered. But fear not, for every problem in the digital realm, there's a solution waiting to be uncovered.

In This Article:

• Understanding the nuances of MOV and MTS files in Premiere Pro
• Steps to ensure file compatibility and smooth imports
• Advanced troubleshooting for persistent issues
• Best practices for managing and transcoding files
• Tips for reporting issues and contributing to the Premiere Pro community

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Solution 1 - Update Your Mac To Import H.264

This is for those who are using an older version of PR that doesn't let you import H.264 files.

Checking That You're On The Latest Version

Step 1: Check Your Current OS Version

‍Before diving into the update, let's first determine the version of MAC OS you're currently using. Click on the Apple logo located at the top-left corner of your screen. From the drop-down menu, select "About This Mac." Here, you'll see the version number. If it reads anything like "10.11.X," then you're on the right track. No worries, we'll get this sorted out.

Step 2: Initiating the Update

‍To be honest, updating your MAC OS is a straightforward process. Head back to the Apple logo at the top-left corner. This time, select "App Store." Once inside, click on the "Updates" tab located on the top-right. If there's an available update for "macOS," it'll be listed here. Click on "Update" next to it. This will start the download and installation process. Remember, during the update, your computer will restart, so save any ongoing work.

Step 3: Post-Update Verification

‍Once your machine restarts, let's ensure the update was successful. Revisit the "About This Mac" under the Apple logo. The version should now read "10.12" or higher. You bet, you've successfully updated your MAC OS!

‍Clearing the Media Cache in Premiere Pro

Step 1: Launching Premiere Pro

‍Open Adobe Premiere Pro. If you have it pinned to your dock, it's a purple icon resembling a "Pr." If not, you can find it using Spotlight by pressing "Cmd + Space" and typing "Premiere Pro."

Step 2: Accessing Preferences

‍Once inside Premiere Pro, head to the top menu bar. Click on "Premiere Pro," and from the drop-down menu, select "Preferences." In the subsequent side menu, choose "Media Cache." Believe me, this is where the magic happens.

Step 3: Clearing the Cache

‍Inside the Media Cache settings, you'll notice two buttons: "Delete Unused" and "Clean Now." Click on "Clean Now." This action will clear all cached files, ensuring any glitches or issues related to old cache files are resolved. Fair enough, this might take a few minutes, depending on how much cache has accumulated over time.

Solution 2 - Avoid MOV

MOV files have been problematic time and time again in the past when being imported. Not only reported by other users, but I've had this happen to me a few times as well.

Ensuring Compatibility with MOV or MTS Files

Step 1: Confirming File Support

Adobe has a list titled "supported file formats." If your file's codec isn't on this list or if your MTS file lacks the standard folder structure, then we're looking at a compatibility issue. No worries, there's a way around this.

Step 2: Transcoding Files

‍Transcoding is like converting currency; you're changing your file's format to another that's more universally accepted. If your file isn't supported, use a third-party tool to transcode it to a format that Premiere Pro recognizes. This ensures smoother integration and fewer hiccups during the import process.

Here's What To Do When Files Are Supported

Step 3: Checking Permissions

‍First and foremost, ensure you have the right permissions for the file's location. Think of it as having the right key to a room; without it, you can't access what's inside. On both Windows and Mac, you should have read and write permissions for the drive or folder where your files reside.

Step 4: Relocating and Importing

‍Sometimes, a simple change of scenery does the trick. Move your file to a different location on your computer. Then, try importing it into Premiere Pro. It's a bit like moving a plant to a sunnier spot; sometimes, it just thrives better elsewhere.

Step 5: Cleaning the Media Cache

‍The Media Cache is like a memory bank for Premiere Pro. Over time, it can get cluttered. Clearing it out can often resolve unexpected issues. To do this, you'll need to clean the Media Cache manually. Once done, give your machine a fresh restart.

Step 6: Using Media Browser

‍Open Premiere Pro and head to the Media Browser. If your file appears as an A/V file here, try importing it directly from this location. It's a bit like checking a secondary entrance when the front door is jammed.

Step 7: Adjusting Renderer Settings

‍Navigate to "File" > "Project Settings" > "General." Here, switch the Renderer to "Software only." Think of this as changing the method of processing your file, giving it a new pathway to follow.

Step 8: Renaming and Advanced Troubleshooting

‍Sometimes, a simple rename can do wonders. Change your MOV file extension to MP4 or MTS to M2TS and attempt importing again. If this doesn't work, we'll need to dive deeper. On a Mac, activate the Root user, or on Windows, activate the Hidden Admin. Try importing your file under these elevated permissions. If this still doesn't yield results, boot your computer in Safe Mode (for both Windows and Mac) and attempt the import. This ensures no third-party software interferes with the process.

Step 9: Reverting to a Previous Version

‍If all else fails, consider reverting to an older version of Premiere Pro. Sometimes, newer isn't always better. By the way, once you've tried this, and if the issue persists, it's time to raise a flag.

Step 10: Reporting the Issue

‍Transcode your problematic file and head to Adobe's User Voice platform. Report the issue there, providing all file details. This not only helps you but aids the community by bringing attention to potential software glitches.