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How to fix "RIFF chunk size mismatch / cannot read audio header" in audio players, DAWs

RIFF chunk size mismatch / cannot read audio header

What this error means

The sizes stored in the header do not match the file.

Why it happens

  • File cut short
  • Editing software wrote wrong sizes

How to fix it

  1. In Audacity: File › Import › Raw Data and enter the format manually
  2. Or upload it here to rebuild the header automatically

About WAV audio files

A WAV file is a small header describing the audio length and format, followed by raw sound. Recorders write the final length only when recording stops — if they crash, the header says the file is empty even though all the audio is there.

Other WAV errors