Big problems with M4A after updating to Windows 11 22H2

Anonymous
2023-05-16T09:52:13+00:00

Dear colleagues, after updating Windows 11 to 22H2, there were significant problems with playing files purchased from iTunes in .m4a (AAC, ALAC) format. This problem has been fixed by a lot of people all over the world and is especially evident on the DJ forums. Problems are observed with the quality of playback, and with the volume and with a number of other parameters. This problem is detected on software that uses the built-in Windows 11 22H2 codecs (on earlier versions, the problem is not observed), Windows Media Player, RekordBox, Serato DJ Pro, etc. On players that use their own codecs (VLC, iTunes, JetAudio HD, etc.) there is no problem. When converting m4a to mp3, there are no problems. What it looks like: https://youtu.be/WqAA12pfWjg and https://youtu.be/um3QSTuLg6s Software vendors fix this issue after the 22H2 update as well, label it as a Microsoft issue and offer a workaround, such as converting the entire m4a database to other formats, which of course is completely unacceptable advice with a database of several thousand files. https://forums.pioneerdj.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/12212808237337-RekordBox-5-8-7-m4a-problems Does Microsoft acknowledge the existence of this problem and when is it planned to release an urgent fix, since. the problem has been observed for a very long time and prevents normal operation?

Thanks in advance!

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Devices and drivers

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Anonymous
2024-03-27T00:42:35+00:00

I installed KB5035942 and unless I'm severely mistaken, the issue seems to be resolved.

Can anyone else confirm?

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  1. Anonymous
    2023-11-18T19:13:22+00:00

    "I am very pleased that you finally want to solve this problem...It is inconvenient and I can no longer be flexible. I am a beginner in computer things and expect Microsoft to fix this bug"

    We only learned about this bug now. We had not heard of it a year ago, because no one had reported it. So it's not a case of "finally" wanting to fix the bug. I can't stress enough how important it is for folks to use the Feedback Hub as the reporting channel for bugs so we actually see these things, as was explained in the first post in this thread.

    That said, we do want to fix this now that we're aware.

    You're talking about crackling, which is different from audio volume changes. Is this the same volume change issue or are you getting audio glitching? Have you filed a feedback hub report with a recording of the audio problem? (Search->Feedback Hub, "Report a problem", describe the problem. The important step is to choose the category "Devices and Drivers" and then "Audio and sound". That's the only real confusing part of the process. Then follow the steps to record the problem.

    When done, you can use the share button at the top to post a link to it here.

    For your immediate use: Assuming this is a problem with the M4A codec, your only options right now will be to wait for us to work with the codec developer to fix it now that we know about it and we have one report with data, or for you to convert your files to mp3 or another format like you have done. There's no workaround that I'm aware of.

    Pete

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-11-18T13:35:41+00:00

    Sorry:

    I mean Win 11 22H2

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-11-18T13:07:18+00:00

    Hello,

    I am very pleased that you finally want to solve this problem.

    Since one year I have the problem with Win 22H2, Dj Traktor program from Native Instruments and files from ITunes m4a.

    Initially I tried to solve the problem with Native Instruments.

    This was only possible to a limited extent, the crackling was resolved, but there are still some fluctuations when playing the files.

    I took the easy way out and converted the m4a files to mp3 or wav.

    It is inconvenient and I can no longer be flexible. I am a beginner in computer things and expect Microsoft to fix this bug. I can't implement complicated solutions. If it doesn't happen soon I will switch to Apple.

    But that can't be a solution and I don't want it to be.

    Earlier this year I contacted Microsoft support to go back to the old version of Win 21. But that was not possible and the support team could not help me.

    In this way I hope for a quick and easy solution to the problem. Please let me know in this chat how it can be easily implemented.

    Thank you very much!

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-11-18T00:26:13+00:00

    For anyone here experiencing this problem, are you able to try the Canary Insider build of Windows? (I know that can be a tall ask.)

    Some changes were made for related issues with the codec, but the specific issues in this thread weren't known at the time, so it would be helpful to know if it fixes these issues as well before we put the update into the release channels.

    Pete

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