The “VLC could not open the mpga audio encoder” error might pop up when you’re trying to change video files with VLC media player. This problem isn’t just about audio files. It can also happen when you’re switching between video formats, like from MKV to MP4. You might see this error with other encoders too, like mp4v, mp4a, h264, hevc, mp2v, mp1v, wmv2, div3, and mjpeg.
Don’t worry, though. We’ve got some fixes that might help you get past this. Let’s go through them, step by step.
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1. Make “Strict standard compliance” -2
There’s a thing in VLC called “Strict standard compliance”. It’s supposed to stick to media standards, but sometimes it gets in the way, especially with files that don’t fit these standards just right. Making this setting “-2” makes VLC more flexible with different kinds of files.
Here’s how you can tweak it:
- Open VLC and go to “Tools” > “Preferences“.
- Change “Show settings” from “Simple” to “All“.
- Go to “Input / Codecs” > “Video codecs” > “FFmpeg“.
- Set “Strict standard compliance” to “-2“.
- Hit “Save” and give your conversion another shot.
Useful tip: How to Merge Subtitles With Video Permanently Using VLC
2. Keep the original video and audio tracks
VLC lets you keep the original video and audio tracks while converting. This way, it avoids any codec issues by not messing with the original tracks.
To turn this on, follow these steps:
- Start VLC and click on “Media” > “Convert / Save…“.
- Add the video you’re converting.
- Hit “Convert / Save” at the bottom.
- Pick the output format under “Profile“.
- Edit the profile by clicking the tool icon next to it.
- In the “Video codec” and “Audio codec” tabs, tick “Keep original video track” and “Keep original audio track“.
- Click “Save“, and try converting again.
Handy guide: How to Cut Video Using VLC in Windows 11
3. Try another conversion profile
Sometimes the problem is just the profile you’re using. Trying a different one might just do the trick.
Here’s what to do:
- Do the steps from Solution 2 until you get to the “Convert” settings.
- Pick a different profile in the “Profile” dropdown.
- If it still doesn’t work, try another profile.
Also see: How to Compress a Video in Windows 11
4. Pick a different audio encoder
If VLC is fussing over the encoder you’re using (like MPGA), switching to another might be the solution.
To change the encoder, do this:
- Follow the steps from Solution 2 until you’re back at the “Convert” settings.
- Hit the tool icon next to the profile you’ve picked to edit it.
- Go to the “Audio codec” tab and switch the Codec to something else, like “AAC” or “FLAC“.
- Press “Save” and try converting your file once more.
Related resource: How to Move Subtitles in VLC Player
5. Install VLC again
If none of the above steps work, the problem might be with VLC itself. Sometimes, a fresh install can fix things.
Here’s how you can reinstall VLC:
- Remove VLC through “Control Panel” > “Programs” > “Programs and Features“. Find VLC, click it, and then click “Uninstall“.
- Restart your computer to make sure VLC is completely gone.
- Go to the official VLC site, download the latest version, and follow the setup instructions.
- Try your conversion again after VLC is back.
6. Try another video converter
If you’re still stuck with the “VLC could not open the mpga audio encoder” error (or any similar ones), maybe it’s time to try a different video converter. HandBrake is a great alternative with lots of conversion options.
A quick wrap-up
Different VLC versions might have different settings. If you can’t find a setting mentioned here, it could be because of the version you’re using. But, sometimes, VLC might not be the best fit for what you need to do. If “VLC could not open the mpga/mp4v/mp4a audio encoder” keeps being a problem, consider using dedicated software for your conversion tasks. HandBrake, for instance, has a wide range of conversion options that might work better for you.
