Bug 502491

Summary:	“Cannot open file” for any video or audio file - Windows 11
Product:	[Applications] kdenlive	Reporter:	ToxxyTheTrash <emanuel.bla12345abc>
Component:	Project Bin & Import	Assignee:	Jean-Baptiste Mardelle <jb>
Status:	REPORTED ---
Severity:	normal	CC:	fritzibaby
Priority:	NOR
Version First Reported In:	24.12.3
Target Milestone:	---
Platform:	Microsoft Windows
OS:	Microsoft Windows
Latest Commit:		Version Fixed/Implemented In:
Sentry Crash Report:
Attachments:	Screenshot of the error that appears under the Project Bin when importing a video/audio file

Description ToxxyTheTrash 2025-04-06 16:49:52 UTC

Created attachment 180046 [details]
Screenshot of the error that appears under the Project Bin when importing a video/audio file

I have used kdenlive just a day before 2025 and it worked fine. The very next day after 2025 rolled around, I was no longer able to import any video or audio files into kdenlive. It throws an error stating that it "Cannot open file [path]" with no additional information. Image importing works just fine.

STEPS TO REPRODUCE
Import a video/audio file into the project bin, drag and drop included.

OBSERVED RESULT
The video/audio does not import and throws out an error stating it cannot open the file.

EXPECTED RESULT
The video/audio imported should have loaded into the Project Bin.

SOFTWARE/OS VERSIONS
Windows 11 Pro 23H2

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Steps I've tried, to resolve the issue, none of which worked:
- restarting kdenlive
- rebooting my PC
- rolling the date back to 2024
- changing file names
- changing drive paths - all local, no network drives)
- multiple versions of v24 - all received the same error 
- updating Windows 11 to a newer build

The said error does not occur on the prior v23 releases (which I have been using for the past 3 months whilst waiting for a potential fix). I've shared my issue on the kde forums initially before filing a bug report here (https://discuss.kde.org/t/cannot-open-file-for-any-video-or-audio-file-after-2025-windows-11/32518)

Comment 1 emohr 2025-04-07 12:52:38 UTC

The issue doesn't happen with Kdenlive version 23.08.5? If so, that might be a Qt6 KF6 problem.

For a test/workaround: Put the video clip on the same drive as Kdenlive is running from. Then try to open clip in Kdenlive. Does it work? If not, open the clip by VLC player. Does it play back?

Comment 2 ToxxyTheTrash 2025-04-07 13:01:05 UTC

(In reply to emohr from comment #1)
> The issue doesn't happen with Kdenlive version 23.08.5? If so, that might be
> a Qt6 KF6 problem.
> 
> For a test/workaround: Put the video clip on the same drive as Kdenlive is
> running from. Then try to open clip in Kdenlive. Does it work? If not, open
> the clip by VLC player. Does it play back?

I have just attempted moving standalone kdenlive 24.12.3 to the same drive as the videos and audio files are - didn't work. I then copied a video directly into kdenlive's /bin/ directory where the executable is located - also didn't work. VLC is my primary media player and all of my recordings play without issue. Do note that before using standalone, I was using the installable version which faced the same error.

Comment 3 emohr 2025-04-07 16:29:48 UTC

OK. Do not run Kdenlive on the R: drive. I guess this is a network drive.

Run Kdenlive from the C: drive (the same drive where Windows is installed) and have the clips on the C: drive as well. I guess you have the installed Kdenlive version on the C: drive in the Program folder. Copy a clip from R: drive to the C: drive or on the Video folder. Try again.

Comment 4 ToxxyTheTrash 2025-04-07 16:36:20 UTC

(In reply to emohr from comment #3)
> OK. Do not run Kdenlive on the R: drive. I guess this is a network drive.
> 
> Run Kdenlive from the C: drive (the same drive where Windows is installed)
> and have the clips on the C: drive as well. I guess you have the installed
> Kdenlive version on the C: drive in the Program folder. Copy a clip from R:
> drive to the C: drive or on the Video folder. Try again.

I have stated in my initial post that I do not have network drives, they're just manually assigned drive letters on internal hard drives. I have tried using the C: drive just now and the issue persists.

Comment 5 Bug Janitor Service 2025-04-22 03:47:30 UTC

🐛🧹 ⚠️ This bug has been in NEEDSINFO status with no change for at least 15 days. Please provide the requested information, then set the bug status to REPORTED. If there is no change for at least 30 days, it will be automatically closed as RESOLVED WORKSFORME.

For more information about our bug triaging procedures, please read https://community.kde.org/Guidelines_and_HOWTOs/Bug_triaging.

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