How to fix 'VLC could not open the mpga audio encoder'

Here's a solution for when the VLC media player shows the following error: 'VLC could not open the mpga audio encoder' when converting a video.

Streaming / Transcoding failed: VLC could not open the mpga audio encoder.

Solution 1: Change 'Strict standard compliance' setting

1. Click on Tools in the top menu.
2. Click on Preferences.
   
3. In the 'Preferences' window, you click on the All option under Show settings in the bottom left corner of the window.
   
4. In the 'Advanced Preferences' window, you go to Input / Codec.
5. Double-click on Video codecs to expand its options.
6. Click on FFmpeg.
   
7. Change Strict standard compliance to -2.
   
8. Click on Save at the bottom of the window.
9. Restart the VLC media player and check if the above steps fixed your problem.

Solution 2: Change video and audio codec settings

1. First, you do the steps you usually do when converting a video with the VLC media player until you reach the 'Convert' window.
2. Once you're on the 'Convert' window, you click on the wrench (tool) button next to the profile selection menu button.
   
3. In the 'Profile edition' window, you click on the Video codec tab.
4. Check the checkbox next to the Keep original video track option.
   
5. Click on the Audio codec tab.
6. Check the checkbox next to the Keep original audio track option.
   
7. Click on Save at the bottom of the window.
8. Try to convert the video again.

Solution 3: Reset preferences

1. Click on Tools in the top menu.
2. Click on Preferences.
   
3. In the 'Preferences' window, you click on Reset Preferences at the bottom of the window.
   
4. Click on OK to confirm.
5. Restart the VLC media player and check if the above steps fixed your problem.

Windows