3 SOLUTIONS For Error (86::1) In After Effects

Adobe After Effects Error 86 1

If you are working on a video project in After Effects, you might encounter an error message that says “After Effects Error: Could not read from source. Please check the settings and try again. (86 :: 1)”. This error means that After Effects cannot import or use the media files that you are trying to add to your project. This can be very frustrating and prevent you from completing your work. Fortunately, there are some possible solutions that you can try to fix this error and continue with your project. In this article, I will explain the common causes of this error and how to solve them.

Cause 1: Corrupted or Damaged Media Files

One of the possible reasons why you get this error is that the media files that you are trying to use are corrupted or damaged. This can happen if you download the files from an unreliable source, transfer them from another device, or edit them with a different program. Corrupted or damaged files can have missing or incorrect data that makes them unreadable by After Effects.

Solution 1: Download or Copy the Files Again

The simplest way to fix this problem is to download or copy the files again from a reliable source. For example, if you downloaded the files from a website, you can try to download them again from the same website or a different one. If you copied the files from another device, such as a camera or a USB drive, you can try to copy them again using a different cable or port. Make sure that the download or transfer process is completed without any interruption or error.

To check if this solution works, you can try to import the files again into After Effects and see if the error persists. If it does, you can try the next solution.

Solution 2: Use a Different Program to Edit the Files

Another way to fix this problem is to use a different program to edit the files. Sometimes, the program that you use to edit the files can change or damage the data in a way that makes them incompatible with After Effects. For example, if you use a program like Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro to edit the files, they might have some settings or effects that are not supported by After Effects. To avoid this, you can use a program that is compatible with After Effects, such as QuickTime or Media Encoder, to edit the files.

To do this, you can follow these steps:

1. Open the program that you want to use to edit the files, such as QuickTime or Media Encoder.
2. Import the files that you want to edit into the program.
3. Make the changes that you want to the files, such as trimming, cropping, resizing, or adding effects.
4. Export the files as a new file with a different name and format. For example, if the original file is a MOV file, you can export it as a MP4 file.
5. Import the new file into After Effects and see if the error persists.

If this solution works, you can continue with your project using the new file. If it does not, you can try the next solution.

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Cause 2: Missing or Unlinked Media Files

Another possible reason why you get this error is that the media files that you are trying to use are missing or unlinked. This can happen if you move, rename, or delete the files after importing them into After Effects, or if you use a network drive or an external storage device that is not connected. Missing or unlinked files can cause After Effects to lose track of where the files are located and how to access them.

Solution 1: Locate and Relink the Files

The easiest way to fix this problem is to locate and relink the files using the File > Replace Footage command. This command allows you to replace the missing or unlinked files with the original files or new files that are in a different location. To do this, you can follow these steps:

1. Open the project that contains the missing or unlinked files in After Effects.
2. In the Project panel, look for the files that have a question mark icon or a color bar icon next to them. These are the missing or unlinked files that cause the error.
3. Right-click on one of the files and select Replace Footage > File.
4. In the dialog box that appears, navigate to the folder where the original file or the new file is located and select it.
5. Click Open to replace the file.
6. Repeat steps 3 to 5 for each missing or unlinked file in the project.
7. Save the project and see if the error persists.

If this solution works, you can continue with your project using the replaced files. If it does not, you can try the next solution.

Solution 2: Consolidate All Footage

Another way to fix this problem is to consolidate all the footage in the project using the File > Consolidate All Footage command. This command allows you to copy all the files that are used in the project to a single folder and relink them automatically. This can help you avoid the problem of missing or unlinked files in the future. To do this, you can follow these steps:

1. Open the project that contains the missing or unlinked files in After Effects.
2. Go to File > Consolidate All Footage.
3. In the dialog box that appears, choose a location where you want to save the new folder that contains all the files. You can also rename the folder if you want.
4. Click OK to start the consolidation process.
5. Wait for the process to finish and see if the error persists.

If this solution works, you can continue with your project using the consolidated files. If it does not, you can try the next solution.

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Cause 3: Unsupported Media Format

Another possible reason why you get this error is that the media files that you are trying to use are in a format that is not supported by After Effects. This can depend on the version of After Effects that you are using, the codec of the files, and the settings of your system. Unsupported media format can cause After Effects to fail to recognize or decode the files.

Solution 1: Convert the Files to a Different Format

The most common way to fix this problem is to convert the files to a different format that is supported by After Effects. For example, if the files are in a FLV format, you can convert them to a MOV format. To do this, you can use a program like QuickTime or Media Encoder, which are compatible with After Effects. To do this, you can follow these steps:

1. Open the program that you want to use to convert the files, such as QuickTime or Media Encoder.
2. Import the files that you want to convert into the program.
3. Choose the output format that you want to convert the files to, such as MOV or MP4. You can also adjust the settings of the output format, such as the resolution, frame rate, or bitrate, if you want.
4. Export the files as a new file with a different name and format.
5. Import the new file into After Effects and see if the error persists.

If this solution works, you can continue with your project using the converted files. If it does not, you can try the next solution.

Solution 2: Install the Required Codec or Plug-in

Another way to fix this problem is to install the required codec or plug-in for After Effects. A codec is a software that compresses and decompresses the data in a media file, while a plug-in is a software that adds extra features or functions to a program. Sometimes, the files that you are trying to use might have a codec or a plug-in that is not installed or enabled on your system. This can prevent After Effects from reading or playing the files.

To fix this, you can try to install the codec or the plug-in that is needed for the files. For example, if the files are in a MKV format, you can install a codec or a plug-in that supports the MKV format, such as the K-Lite Codec Pack or the MKV Importer for After Effects. To do this, you can follow these steps:

1. Download the codec or the plug-in that you need from a reliable source, such as the official website or a trusted third-party website.
2. Run the installer and follow the instructions to install the codec or the plug-in on your system.
3. Restart After Effects and see if the error persists.

If this solution works, you can continue with your project using the files with the installed codec or plug-in. If it does not, you can try the next solution.