What is this error? It occurs on two different installs of Windows 8.1 Pro on the same notebook. One installation is on the original HDD and the other is a new install on SSD.
Error: Couldn’t find symbol ‘AudacityModule’ in a dynamic library (error 127: The specified procedure could not be found.)
What is really annoying though is that launching Audacity on the new install (SSD) is noticeably slower. Consistently about 10 to 15 seconds. Only about 3 seconds on the HDD install.
Very annoying slow startup.
Here are the logs from both the SSD and HDD installs.
Note that the new SSD installed system delays about 10 or so seconds after the error before loading the FFmpeg libraries. But the HDD system only delays for about 2 seconds after the error.
SSD system:
00:12:36: Audacity 2.3.2
00:12:36: Error: Couldn't find symbol 'AudacityModule' in a dynamic library (error 127: The specified procedure could not be found.)
00:12:42: Trying to load FFmpeg libraries...
00:12:42: mLibAVFormatPath ('C:\Program Files (x86)\FFmpeg for Audacity\avformat-55.dll') is not empty. Loading from it.
00:12:42: Looking up PATH environment variable...
00:12:42: PATH = 'C:\Program Files\Broadcom\Broadcom 802.11 Network Adapter;C:\PROGRAM FILES (X86)\INTEL\ICLS CLIENT\;C:\PROGRAM FILES\INTEL\ICLS CLIENT\;C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32;C:\WINDOWS;C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\WBEM;C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\WINDOWSPOWERSHELL\V1.0\;C:\PROGRAM FILES\INTEL\INTEL(R) MANAGEMENT ENGINE COMPONENTS\DAL;C:\PROGRAM FILES\INTEL\INTEL(R) MANAGEMENT ENGINE COMPONENTS\IPT;C:\PROGRAM FILES (X86)\INTEL\INTEL(R) MANAGEMENT ENGINE COMPONENTS\DAL;C:\PROGRAM FILES (X86)\INTEL\INTEL(R) MANAGEMENT ENGINE COMPONENTS\IPT;C:\PROGRAM FILES\ACER\REMOTE FILES\;C:\Program Files\WIDCOMM\Bluetooth Software\;C:\Program Files\WIDCOMM\Bluetooth Software\syswow64;C:\Program Files\Git\cmd'
00:12:42: Checking that 'C:\Program Files (x86)\FFmpeg for Audacity' is in PATH...
00:12:42: Warning: FFmpeg directory 'C:\Program Files (x86)\FFmpeg for Audacity' is not in PATH.
00:12:42: Temporarily prepending ';C:\Program Files (x86)\FFmpeg for Audacity' to PATH...
00:12:42: Checking for monolithic avformat from 'C:\Program Files (x86)\FFmpeg for Audacity\avformat-55.dll'.
00:12:42: Error: Couldn't find symbol 'avutil_version' in a dynamic library (error 127: The specified procedure could not be found.)
00:12:42: Error: Couldn't find symbol 'avcodec_version' in a dynamic library (error 127: The specified procedure could not be found.)
00:12:42: avformat not monolithic
00:12:42: Loading avutil from 'avutil-52.dll'.
00:12:42: Loading avcodec from 'avcodec-55.dll'.
00:12:42: Loading avformat from 'C:\Program Files (x86)\FFmpeg for Audacity\avformat-55.dll'.
00:12:42: Returning PATH to previous setting...
00:12:42: Actual avutil path C:\Program Files (x86)\FFmpeg for Audacity\avutil-52.dll
00:12:42: Actual avcodec path C:\Program Files (x86)\FFmpeg for Audacity\avcodec-55.dll
00:12:42: Actual avformat path C:\Program Files (x86)\FFmpeg for Audacity\avformat-55.dll
00:12:42: Importing symbols...
00:12:42: All symbols loaded successfully. Initializing the library.
00:12:42: Retrieving FFmpeg library version numbers:
00:12:42: AVCodec version 0x373466 - 55.52.102 (built against 0x373466 - 55.52.102)
00:12:42: AVFormat version 0x372164 - 55.33.100 (built against 0x372164 - 55.33.100)
00:12:42: AVUtil version 0x344264 - 52.66.100 (built against 0x344264 - 52.66.100)
00:12:42: FFmpeg libraries loaded successfully.
HDD system:
00:04:20: Audacity 2.3.2
00:04:20: Error: Couldn't find symbol 'AudacityModule' in a dynamic library (error 127: The specified procedure could not be found.)
00:04:22: Trying to load FFmpeg libraries...
00:04:22: Trying to load FFmpeg libraries from default path, 'C:\Program Files (x86)\FFmpeg for Audacity\avformat-55.dll'.
00:04:22: Looking up PATH environment variable...
00:04:22: PATH = 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Oracle\Java\javapath;C:\Program Files\Broadcom\Broadcom 802.11 Network Adapter;C:\PROGRAM FILES (X86)\INTEL\ICLS CLIENT\;C:\PROGRAM FILES\INTEL\ICLS CLIENT\;C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32;C:\WINDOWS;C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\WBEM;C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\WINDOWSPOWERSHELL\V1.0\;C:\PROGRAM FILES\INTEL\INTEL(R) MANAGEMENT ENGINE COMPONENTS\DAL;C:\PROGRAM FILES\INTEL\INTEL(R) MANAGEMENT ENGINE COMPONENTS\IPT;C:\PROGRAM FILES (X86)\INTEL\INTEL(R) MANAGEMENT ENGINE COMPONENTS\DAL;C:\PROGRAM FILES (X86)\INTEL\INTEL(R) MANAGEMENT ENGINE COMPONENTS\IPT;C:\PROGRAM FILES\ACER\REMOTE FILES\;C:\Program Files\WIDCOMM\Bluetooth Software\;C:\Program Files\WIDCOMM\Bluetooth Software\syswow64;C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Shared;C:\Program Files (x86)\Skype\Phone\;C:\Program Files\OpenVPN\bin;C:\Program Files\Git\cmd;C:\Program Files (x86)\GitExtensions\'
00:04:22: Checking that 'C:\Program Files (x86)\FFmpeg for Audacity' is in PATH...
00:04:22: Warning: FFmpeg directory 'C:\Program Files (x86)\FFmpeg for Audacity' is not in PATH.
00:04:22: Temporarily prepending ';C:\Program Files (x86)\FFmpeg for Audacity' to PATH...
00:04:22: Checking for monolithic avformat from 'C:\Program Files (x86)\FFmpeg for Audacity\avformat-55.dll'.
00:04:22: Error: Couldn't find symbol 'avutil_version' in a dynamic library (error 127: The specified procedure could not be found.)
00:04:22: Error: Couldn't find symbol 'avcodec_version' in a dynamic library (error 127: The specified procedure could not be found.)
00:04:22: avformat not monolithic
00:04:22: Loading avutil from 'avutil-52.dll'.
00:04:22: Loading avcodec from 'avcodec-55.dll'.
00:04:22: Loading avformat from 'C:\Program Files (x86)\FFmpeg for Audacity\avformat-55.dll'.
00:04:22: Returning PATH to previous setting...
00:04:22: Actual avutil path C:\Program Files (x86)\FFmpeg for Audacity\avutil-52.dll
00:04:22: Actual avcodec path C:\Program Files (x86)\FFmpeg for Audacity\avcodec-55.dll
00:04:22: Actual avformat path C:\Program Files (x86)\FFmpeg for Audacity\avformat-55.dll
00:04:22: Importing symbols...
00:04:22: All symbols loaded successfully. Initializing the library.
00:04:22: Retrieving FFmpeg library version numbers:
00:04:22: AVCodec version 0x373466 - 55.52.102 (built against 0x373466 - 55.52.102)
00:04:22: AVFormat version 0x372164 - 55.33.100 (built against 0x372164 - 55.33.100)
00:04:22: AVUtil version 0x344264 - 52.66.100 (built against 0x344264 - 52.66.100)
00:04:22: FFmpeg libraries loaded successfully.
I don’t claim to be a Windows expert, but I think that error is usually related to conflicts due to multiple dlls with the same name.
I’d suggest removing all versions of Audacity from the computer, reboot, then reinstall using the “EXE” installer from here: Audacity ® | Download for Windows (the download is served from FossHub, who provide the official content delivery network for Audacity).
Uninstalled, rebooted and reinstalled 2.3.2. No change. Error persists and startup is still slow (10-15 seconds).
Uninstalled 2.3.2 and installed 2.3.0. The error is gone but startup is still just as slow.
Upgraded to 2.3.2. The error returned. Startup still slow.
03:06:25: Audacity 2.3.0
03:06:25: Trying to load FFmpeg libraries...
03:06:25: Trying to load FFmpeg libraries from default path, 'C:\Program Files (x86)\FFmpeg for Audacity\avformat-55.dll'.
03:06:25: Looking up PATH environment variable...
03:06:25: PATH = 'C:\Program Files\Broadcom\Broadcom 802.11 Network Adapter;C:\PROGRAM FILES (X86)\INTEL\ICLS CLIENT\;C:\PROGRAM FILES\INTEL\ICLS CLIENT\;C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32;C:\WINDOWS;C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\WBEM;C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\WINDOWSPOWERSHELL\V1.0\;C:\PROGRAM FILES\INTEL\INTEL(R) MANAGEMENT ENGINE COMPONENTS\DAL;C:\PROGRAM FILES\INTEL\INTEL(R) MANAGEMENT ENGINE COMPONENTS\IPT;C:\PROGRAM FILES (X86)\INTEL\INTEL(R) MANAGEMENT ENGINE COMPONENTS\DAL;C:\PROGRAM FILES (X86)\INTEL\INTEL(R) MANAGEMENT ENGINE COMPONENTS\IPT;C:\PROGRAM FILES\ACER\REMOTE FILES\;C:\Program Files\WIDCOMM\Bluetooth Software\;C:\Program Files\WIDCOMM\Bluetooth Software\syswow64;C:\Program Files\Git\cmd'
03:06:25: Checking that 'C:\Program Files (x86)\FFmpeg for Audacity' is in PATH...
03:06:25: Warning: FFmpeg directory 'C:\Program Files (x86)\FFmpeg for Audacity' is not in PATH.
03:06:25: Temporarily prepending ';C:\Program Files (x86)\FFmpeg for Audacity' to PATH...
03:06:25: Checking for monolithic avformat from 'C:\Program Files (x86)\FFmpeg for Audacity\avformat-55.dll'.
03:06:25: Error: Couldn't find symbol 'avutil_version' in a dynamic library (error 127: The specified procedure could not be found.)
03:06:25: Error: Couldn't find symbol 'avcodec_version' in a dynamic library (error 127: The specified procedure could not be found.)
03:06:25: avformat not monolithic
03:06:25: Loading avutil from 'avutil-52.dll'.
03:06:25: Loading avcodec from 'avcodec-55.dll'.
03:06:25: Loading avformat from 'C:\Program Files (x86)\FFmpeg for Audacity\avformat-55.dll'.
03:06:25: Returning PATH to previous setting...
03:06:25: Actual avutil path C:\Program Files (x86)\FFmpeg for Audacity\avutil-52.dll
03:06:25: Actual avcodec path C:\Program Files (x86)\FFmpeg for Audacity\avcodec-55.dll
03:06:25: Actual avformat path C:\Program Files (x86)\FFmpeg for Audacity\avformat-55.dll
03:06:25: Importing symbols...
03:06:25: All symbols loaded successfully. Initializing the library.
03:06:25: Retrieving FFmpeg library version numbers:
03:06:25: AVCodec version 0x373466 - 55.52.102 (built against 0x373466 - 55.52.102)
03:06:25: AVFormat version 0x372164 - 55.33.100 (built against 0x372164 - 55.33.100)
03:06:25: AVUtil version 0x344264 - 52.66.100 (built against 0x344264 - 52.66.100)
03:06:25: FFmpeg libraries loaded successfully.
I’ve checked on a Windows 10 machine, and I see the error message in the log:
12:06:51: Error: Couldn't find symbol 'AudacityModule' in a dynamic library (error 127: The specified procedure could not be found.)
This particular machine does have other versions of Audacity, and has had “modules” installed, but I don’t know if that is at all relevant.
The thing that IS relevant, is that despite this error message, Audacity launches within about 3 seconds (the splash screen comes up almost immediately). This version of Audacity also runs fine.
My conclusion from this is that this error message is harmless, and unrelated to the slow start that you are seeing.
One thing that can take quite a bit of time for Audacity, is searching for audio devices. How long this takes depends on the audio system (including physical devices and device drivers).
If you select “Transport menu > Rescan Audio Devices”, does Audacity appear to freeze for a few seconds? If so, how long for?
For me the little Audacity splash comes up almost immediately. It stays for half dozen or so seconds. Then nothing for another half dozen seconds until the main window comes up.
Select “Help menu > Diagnostics > Audio Device Info”.
Wait for the info to appear (I’m guessing this will take 10 seconds or more), then click the “Save” button and save the info to somewhere convenient (such as your Desktop).
Attach the file to your reply. (How to attach files to forum posts: https://forum.audacityteam.org/t/how-to-attach-files-to-forum-posts/24026/1)
In the Windows Recording devices, Microphone->Properties on the Enhancements tab checked the box to “Disable all sound effects” and Audacity launches in just few seconds. Like on the HDD system. Thanks for your guidance.
So now that the slow startup is solved. Back to the error.
Don’t think it is so harmless. Nor should exist. It is not there in 2.3.0 and it appears (according to the log) to delay startup a couple seconds. Never satisfied. Those 2 seconds are a big percentage of the 3 second startup.
05:11:56: Audacity 2.3.2
05:11:56: Error: Couldn't find symbol 'AudacityModule' in a dynamic library (error 127: The specified procedure could not be found.)
05:11:58: Trying to load FFmpeg libraries...
05:11:58: mLibAVFormatPath ('C:\Program Files (x86)\FFmpeg for Audacity\avformat-55.dll') is not empty. Loading from it.
05:11:58: Looking up PATH environment variable...
05:11:58: PATH = 'C:\Program Files\Broadcom\Broadcom 802.11 Network Adapter;C:\PROGRAM FILES (X86)\INTEL\ICLS CLIENT\;C:\PROGRAM FILES\INTEL\ICLS CLIENT\;C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32;C:\WINDOWS;C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\WBEM;C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\WINDOWSPOWERSHELL\V1.0\;C:\PROGRAM FILES\INTEL\INTEL(R) MANAGEMENT ENGINE COMPONENTS\DAL;C:\PROGRAM FILES\INTEL\INTEL(R) MANAGEMENT ENGINE COMPONENTS\IPT;C:\PROGRAM FILES (X86)\INTEL\INTEL(R) MANAGEMENT ENGINE COMPONENTS\DAL;C:\PROGRAM FILES (X86)\INTEL\INTEL(R) MANAGEMENT ENGINE COMPONENTS\IPT;C:\PROGRAM FILES\ACER\REMOTE FILES\;C:\Program Files\WIDCOMM\Bluetooth Software\;C:\Program Files\WIDCOMM\Bluetooth Software\syswow64;C:\Program Files\Git\cmd'
05:11:58: Checking that 'C:\Program Files (x86)\FFmpeg for Audacity' is in PATH...
05:11:58: Warning: FFmpeg directory 'C:\Program Files (x86)\FFmpeg for Audacity' is not in PATH.
05:11:58: Temporarily prepending ';C:\Program Files (x86)\FFmpeg for Audacity' to PATH...
05:11:58: Checking for monolithic avformat from 'C:\Program Files (x86)\FFmpeg for Audacity\avformat-55.dll'.
05:11:58: Error: Couldn't find symbol 'avutil_version' in a dynamic library (error 127: The specified procedure could not be found.)
05:11:58: Error: Couldn't find symbol 'avcodec_version' in a dynamic library (error 127: The specified procedure could not be found.)
05:11:58: avformat not monolithic
05:11:58: Loading avutil from 'avutil-52.dll'.
05:11:58: Loading avcodec from 'avcodec-55.dll'.
05:11:58: Loading avformat from 'C:\Program Files (x86)\FFmpeg for Audacity\avformat-55.dll'.
05:11:58: Returning PATH to previous setting...
05:11:58: Actual avutil path C:\Program Files (x86)\FFmpeg for Audacity\avutil-52.dll
05:11:58: Actual avcodec path C:\Program Files (x86)\FFmpeg for Audacity\avcodec-55.dll
05:11:58: Actual avformat path C:\Program Files (x86)\FFmpeg for Audacity\avformat-55.dll
05:11:58: Importing symbols...
05:11:58: All symbols loaded successfully. Initializing the library.
05:11:58: Retrieving FFmpeg library version numbers:
05:11:58: AVCodec version 0x373466 - 55.52.102 (built against 0x373466 - 55.52.102)
05:11:58: AVFormat version 0x372164 - 55.33.100 (built against 0x372164 - 55.33.100)
05:11:58: AVUtil version 0x344264 - 52.66.100 (built against 0x344264 - 52.66.100)
05:11:58: FFmpeg libraries loaded successfully.
One of the developers has replied, saying that he thinks the message probably comes from the operating system when executing a line in ModuleManager::LoadModule
Where the module manager found a dll that looked like an Audacity module, but was not a valid Audacity module, so stopped trying to load it.
The message would be returned at the time that the module manager decided the “module” could not be loaded, which was at 05:11:56 (the same second that Audacity 2.3.2 started loading). So the time taken by this error is less than a second.
The next logged event is at 05:11:58 when Audacity attempts to load FFmpeg. This occurs after Audacity has scanned the audio system. It is reasonable / normal for that scan to take a couple of seconds. Other initialisation stuff will also be occurring during that 2 second gap.
