Why can't I open a WAV file anymore after this new OS update? I'm under a tight deadline and I need an answer quickly.

Maybe a bit late, but for the sake of the argument;

Sonoma seems to have an issue with playing back polyphonic WAV files with more than 12 tracks.

I'm google-ing left right and centre but somehow there is little to no info about this... (if someone is reading along, do share I you know what is happening..)

Premiere, Davinci and Programs like Audacity can open and read the files yes.

Right on, Wigbone, you nailed it! 👍 I was also gonna suggest Audacity ( audacityeam.org) but I don’t know if that is macOS 14.0 compliant… I just checked as of today ( Oct 6 2023) and it’ll work up to MacOS 13 ( Ventura)

John B

Wigbone wrote:

But before the software update, my computer I could play WAV files just by clicking on them sitting on my desktop.

One way to report this directly to Apple is by sending Feedback.

Feedback - macOS - Apple

The other is to contact Apple Support.

Official Apple Support

Hi Wigbone,

Here are some potential solutions and insights gathered from various sources:

Check Codecs and Try VLC:

• It might be beneficial to check the codecs of the WAV file you're attempting to open. You can use a utility such as Media Info for Mac to get more information on the codecs. In some cases, simply renaming the extension to something representing a compression form used (e.g., mp3) might make it playable. Additionally, trying to play the file using VLC media player might work​.

Compressed WAV Format:

• There's a possibility that if the WAV file is in a compressed form, the macOS might have issues reading it​.

Try a Different App:

• If the specific app you're using to open the WAV file is having issues, it might be worth trying to open it with a different app. For instance, if you were using QuickTime, you might want to try opening it with VLC or another audio player​.

General macOS Sonoma Issues:

• The new update, known as macOS Sonoma, has brought about various issues for users. Although there wasn't a direct mention of WAV file problems, it might be related to some other broader issue with the update​.

Unfortunately, there wasn't a specific fix found for the issue of not being able to open WAV files on macOS 14.0. It might be a good idea to keep an eye on forums or Apple's official support channels for any updates regarding this issue. Moreover, you might want to consider reaching out to Apple Support directly for personalized assistance.

Lastly, if this is a recurring problem affecting your workflow significantly, you might want to consider downgrading to a previous macOS version where this issue did not occur, at least temporarily until a fix is released.