Had version 2.0.5, downloaded the newest version 2.0.6 and will not record. I am using windows 8.1, latest updates and trying to record the audio of a YouTube video. I have used older version of Audacity and this worked fine. Had to wipe the hard disk so lost that software. My settings are Windows WASAP, Speakers High Def Audio and third box (recording device) same. The level controls do not respond either. The log is as follows:
11:59:13 AM: Audacity 2.0.6
11:59:13 AM: Trying to load FFmpeg libraries…
11:59:13 AM: Trying to load FFmpeg libraries from system paths. File name is ‘avformat-55.dll’.
11:59:13 AM: Looking up PATH environment variable…
11:59:13 AM: PATH = ‘C:Windowssystem32;C:Windows;C:WindowsSystem32Wbem;C:WindowsSystem32WindowsPowerShellv1.0;C:Program Files (x86)QuickTimeQTSystem’
11:59:13 AM: Checking that ‘’ is in PATH…
11:59:13 AM: FFmpeg directory is in PATH.
11:59:13 AM: Checking for monolithic avformat from ‘avformat-55.dll’.
11:59:13 AM: Error: Failed to load shared library ‘avformat-55.dll’ (error 126: the specified module could not be found.)
11:59:13 AM: Loading avutil from ‘’.
11:59:13 AM: Error: Failed to load shared library ‘.dll’ (error 126: the specified module could not be found.)
11:59:13 AM: Loading avcodec from ‘’.
11:59:13 AM: Error: Failed to load shared library ‘.dll’ (error 126: the specified module could not be found.)
11:59:13 AM: Loading avformat from ‘avformat-55.dll’.
11:59:13 AM: Error: Failed to load shared library ‘avformat-55.dll’ (error 126: the specified module could not be found.)
11:59:13 AM: Error: Failed to load FFmpeg libraries.
11:59:13 AM: Error: Failed to find compatible FFmpeg libraries.
The log is above my pay grade to understand ! Can you help?
I wish Audacity wouldn’t do that. That “World is Going to End” log file scares everybody. I believe, unless corrected, that what you have in that file is perfectly normal.
OK, assume it is “fine” even though it writes “error” all over the ending log. I tried to get it to record a song that is on the hard disk, and I get exactly the same no results. The timeline marker is moving but the wave form is a flat line, and the recording meters are both blank. PS this was a download from the site not a zip file.
The Audacity volume sliders may not necessarily affect the audio you hear. Use the volume control on the web browser player to affect the volume you hear.
Are you trying to record the audio without hearing it? If so, left-click the speaker icon by the system clock, click “Mixer” then turn down the “Device” slider for “Speakers High Def Audio” but keep the player volume turned up.
Otherwise download the video or the audio from it as a file, assuming you have copyright holders’ permission to record the video in the first place. Use your favourite search engine to find out how.
Even after you went down the recommendations in that link?
Yes. In the link it notes that Win 8.1 often does not display any sort of mixer. In Control Panel > Hardware & Sound > Sound: “Recording” shows 2 microphone inputs, and one line input. As suggested in the link, show disabled and show disconnected devices are both checked and nothing further is shown. The only other ideas offered in the link is to either cable out of the speaker output back into the line input and select that as the input for Audacity (but they don’t explain where you can make such a choice in Audacity). The driver is updated on the sound card to current.
I am not trying to record the audio without hearing it, and the Audacity sliders are at the maximum end of the range and THEY DO control the volume that I am hearing from my speakers while in record mode. Audacity is unable to pick up anything being played through the speakers, regardless if the file is on the hard drive or a CD. It all seems to be functional in all respects, just can’t seem to find the source and records flat lines and VU meters do not function.
The irony here is that 2.0.5 worked on this same computer until it became necessary to wipe the hard disk and reinstall windows 8.1
It’s up to the OEM computer manufacturer to decide if they will risk copyright infringement by offering stereo mix.
You seem to be lucky and have a line-in separate from the mic inputs. You can choose the line-in in Device Toolbar, using MME or Windows DirectSound host.
Have you been to the web site of your computer manufacturer to get the latest Windows 8.1 audio drivers for your computer model? That is the correct approach, assuming you have a branded computer like Dell or HP.
I can’t explain why the WASAPI recording input flat lines. There are some bugs in the WASAPI API and some bugs in how Audacity interfaces with it.
Which web browser is it, exactly?
Check the audio drivers out as above. If you reinstall Windows it will start out using generic Microsoft audio drivers. Even if it updates itself to what it thinks are the latest WHQL drivers for your computer, you can still often get later drivers that have bug fixes from the computer manufacturer.
Another thing you could try for recording from WASAPI is to go back to Windows Sound, Playback tab, right-click the sound device you are using for playback, Properties, then click the “Advanced” tab. Uncheck both “Exclusive Mode” boxes and restart Audacity.
You can also try a 2.1.0 pre-release (rc2) from the top of gaclrecords.org.uk. WASAPI loopack behaviour may change slightly on some machines in 2.1.0. In any case 2.1.0 should be released shortly.
But really you don’t need any of this. Download the video to your hard drive (if you have permission). Import the song from your hard drive into Audacity. Task done.
Have you been to the web site of your computer manufacturer to get the latest Windows 8.1 audio drivers for your computer model?
Yes, and my drivers are newer than the ones listed for my Gateway serial number.
Which web browser is it, exactly?
Latest version of Google Chrome 39.0.2171.99 I get the same results if I use Windows Internet Explorer Browser 11.
Another thing you could try for recording from WASAPI is to go back to Windows Sound, Playback tab, right-click the sound device you are using for playback, Properties, then click the “Advanced” tab. Uncheck both “Exclusive Mode” boxes and restart Audacity.
I did that same results.
You can also try a 2.1.0 pre-release (rc2) from the top of > gaclrecords.org.uk> . WASAPI loopack behaviour may change slightly on some machines in 2.1.0. In any case 2.1.0 should be released shortly.
I was hopeful for this suggestions, but it still did the same thing. The only advantage was I could import a file to Audacity and perform editing on the audio.
Gale, I am about as frustrated with this as I can guess you might be. Nothing seems to provide the signal that Audacity is looking for. I downloaded another software on trial called “I getting …” and it worked perfectly, so the bug / issue doesn’t seem to be my hardware. Between the two programs I can get done what I want to do, but Audacity has been such a great addition to my audio / video software over the years, I hate to throw in the towel.
Then try the listed Gateway drivers, unless you have very good reason to do otherwise. The listed drivers for your serial number are guaranteed to be matched with your hardware. Other drivers may not be.
You should be able to do that with the previous version.
I think you should use exactly the audio drivers indicated by your computer manufacturer.
If that doesn’t help, then you could try going back to generic Microsoft drivers. You may lose the line-in but it might help WASAPI recording (it shouldn’t do, but as I say there are potential bugs in play here). After 2.1.0 is released we will be attempting to bug fix WASAPI, at least by applying bug fixes from the PortAudio third-party audio engine we use.
Then try the listed Gateway drivers, unless you have very good reason to do otherwise. The listed drivers for your serial number are guaranteed to be matched with your hardware. Other drivers may not be.
FINALLY !!! Gale, this was the problem all along! You were correct, when I re-installed Win 8.1 it provided generic drivers to the Realtek card and for whatever the reason(s) that just didn’t work for Audacity. I downloaded the Gateway Realtek driver (circa 2010) and after a bit of choosing which speaker icon to use as default, the entire operation came together perfectly.
Maybe this should be one for the Audacity FAQ - If you have reinstalled Windows, likely you will have generic audio drivers that may not function with Audacity, resulting in flat-line recordings with or without functional input meters.
Much appreciation for your invaluable help Gale! Audacity is just the best out there and it has SUPER people to help with problem solving!!!
