I have written for a long time
- Problems with the same symptoms can (often do) have different causes
- The answers are in the details
ISSUE
In the list of troubleshooting details asked for, some are higher priority for certain Premiere Elements failings. In that regard, I present the following to be placed toward the top of the requested troubleshooting details to get at the core of the issue sooner rather than later. It is assumed that we start with name of Premiere Elements version and computer operating system.
SYNDROME/SOLUTIONS
(sampling)
INSTALL
0000. Program will not install
a. Check System Requirements.
b. Using your present installation files/disc, do uninstall, free ccleaner run through (regular and registry cleaner parts), reinstall with antivirus and firewalls disabled.
c. Try downloading and installing new Premiere Elements installation files from Adobe Other Downloads and inserting your purchased serial number in them during installation.
d. Before "a", "b", and "c", do not forget key guidelines such as
- latest version of QuickTime 7 installed on computer with Premiere Elements
- running program as administrator (from user account with administrative privileges)
- determining if antivirus, firewalls, or other security programs are interfering with the install
- determining if the video card/graphics card driver version is up to date and if the computer is using more than 1 video card/graphic card
IMPORT
0001. Video import problem ranging from audio out of sync to does not import at all
b. The variable frame rate condition can be confirmed by reading the file's properties with the MediaInfo program. If 3 frames rates are found there ("minimum frame rate", "frame rate", and "maximum frame rate"), that points to variable frame rate used for the file.
c. Typically the solution is to take the file into the free HandBrake program to obtain the H.264.mp4 at constant frame rate version to import into the Premiere Elements project with the project's Expert workspace Add Media/Files and Folder/Project Assets.
Note: In the HandBrake Video Tab, set for "frame rate" value rather than selecting "Same As Source", and be sure to dot the Constant choice for the frame rate. Also, if MediaInfo is used to verify the variable frame rate condition, be careful for your MediaInfo downloading and installing choices since MediaInfo is known for traveling with unwanted baggage.
0002. Music will not import into Premiere Elements project
a. A top question, "Is this iTunes music?" If the answer is yes,
b. Then convert the iTunes music to the WAV version in iTunes, and then import that WAV version into the Premiere Elements project with the project's Add Media/Files and Folders/Project Assets. See HERE for iTunes how to. Alternatively, the free audio editor named Audacity can be used for conversion to WAV Version. Our preference is the iTunes way.
DISPLAY
a. Determine what video card/graphics card that the computer is using. If 1 card, then
b. Assure that the video card/graphic card driver version is up to date according to the web site of the manufacturer of the card.
c. If the video card/graphic card driver version is up to date, then delete the BadDrivers.txt file
See HERE.
d. If the video card/graphics card was on automatic update, then roll back the driver version for troubleshooting purposes.
e. If the computer is set to use 2 video cards/graphic cards instead of 1, then disable one and try to work with the other. Also seek advice from manufacturer of cards for possible user setting of card controls to resolve the issue.
0004. Display and other issues specific for Premiere Elements 10 NVIDIA GeForce
a. Verify if you have Premiere Elements 10 installed on computer that uses a NVIDIA GeForce video card/graphics card, and check the driver version and its dating. If Premiere Elements 10 NVIDIA GeForce, then
b. There is a known major issue related to trying to run Premiere Elements 10 on a computer that uses a NVIDIA GeForce video card/graphics card. The only known solution is to roll back the driver version to May 2013, rather than to update the driver version to the latest version. See HERE
c. If the computer with the NVIDIA GeForce Premiere Elements 10 combination had been working and suddenly ran into display and other unexplained problems, it is likely that an automatic video card/graphics card driver version update took place. If that is the case, the only hope is to try to find that older driver on the computer. For Windows, see Device Manager/Display Adapters/NVIDIA GeForce Properties and Properties' Driver Tab/Update Driver and choice of "Browse my computer for driver software".
d. Some workarounds include: replace Premiere Elements 10 with 11, 12/12.1, 13/13.1, or 14/14.1 (latest version); or, replace NVIDIA GeForce video card/graphics card with a non NVIDIA GeForce card.
e. To date there have been no reports of latest version NVIDIA GeForce ever resolving this issue. And, the issue has presented as independent of computer operating system involved.
0005. Rendered Timeline playback in Edit area monitor is not smooth and has other irregularies
a. Determine if the project preset and properties of the source media match. See Edit Menu/Project Settings/General.
b. Check the Scratch Disks for location and amount of free hard drive space at those locations, especially with regard to previews (rendered files in Adobe Premiere Elements Preview Files Folder).
c. Do a mini test run export to determine if the problem is in the previewing in the Edit area or in the project as a whole by comparing quality of preview with quality of export.
d. If no problems with the export quality, focus the project previewing quality
- Right click the Edit area monitor, select Playback Quality/Highest instead of Automatic
- Applicable to HD projects only....Edit Menu/General/Timeline Rendering Quality, select High quality/slow speed
Note: 0005 assumes that 0004 Premiere Elements 10 NVIDIA GeForce is not involved.
EXPORT
0006. Premiere Elements 13/13.1 generated AVCHD or Blu-ray .iso files (1 GB or greater file size) taken to disc with 3rd party burn software are not recognized by players at disc playback
a. This is a known Premiere Elements 13/13.1 specific issue, and there is no solution within 13/13.1 for this issue. See HERE.
b. However, the problem is not seen in the next and latest version 14/14.1.
0007. Premiere Elements 13/13.1 and 14/14.1 export failures and/or export files that cannot be found after export
a. Determine if your version of Premiere Elements includes the preference for "Use Hardware Acceleration (works on Intel HD Graphics 2000 and higher/newer)". This preference should be present in Premiere Elements 13/13.1 and 14/14.1 on Windows 7, 8, 8.1, and 10 64 bit. See HERE.
b. If your computer does not use an Intel HD graphics 2000 and higher/newer video card/graphics card, then disable the preference.
The Premiere Elements 13 "no plug-in dll" error has been discussed in relation to check or uncheck for the Hardware Acceleration preference. See HERE, especially post 11 from the Adobe Premiere Elements Help Team
We have also not seen the plugin coder error internally in any other scenario other than a faulty driver for the Intel display adapter, when the hardware acceleration was checked. So the solution was
1. To disable the Intel Display adapter,
2. Update the Intel display driver or
3. Switch off the graphics acceleration setting from the preferences.
All these suggestions are valid only if one of the display adapters in the machine in question was an Intel HD Graphics 2xxx and above only. If there are multiple display adapters, even if one of them is the supported Intel adapter, the acceleration can kick-in, if checked in preferences
0008. Burner not recognized or Media Not Present
a. Burner not recognized is a particularly difficult problem to correct, and there does not appear to be one answer (or any in some cases). The workaround would be to burn to Folder or ISO Image (depending on which Premiere Elements version you have), and then take the Folder (VIDEO_TS or BDMV) or ISO Image to disc with a 3rd party software such as ImgBurn (Windows).
b. In the case of Media Not Present, best try another disc brand/type. If that does not work to resolve the problem. Then..
c. Uninstall, free ccleaner HERE or HERE run through (regular and registry cleaner parts), and reinstall with antivirus and firewalls disabled. This choice "c" has actually resolved the issue for some.
d. Another approach that actually worked for me was to give the burner drive a new drive letter.
MISCELLANEOUS
0009. Premiere Elements 14 Mac specific problems related to Movie Menu crashes, Royalty Activation (MPEG file import and DVD burn), and Missing Graphics.
Please see the following for solutions for each of the 3 separate Mac specific issues of
- Movie Menu crashes
- Royalty Activation (MPEG file import, DVD burn)
- Missing Graphics
0010. Premiere Elements 13/13.1 and No Disc Error
The No Disc Error specifically targeting Premiere Elements 13/13.1 is resolved by deletion of the OldFilm.AEX file found in Windows 7, 8, 8.1, or 10 64 bit
Local Disk C
Program Files
Adobe
Adobe Premiere Elements 13
Plug-ins
Common
NewBlue
and in the NewBlue Folder is the OldFilm.AEX file that you delete or disable by renaming it from OldFilm.AEX to OldFilm.AEXOLD.
See HERE.
0011. Unexpected workflow fault
a. Delete the Premiere Elements Editor settings file (Adobe Premiere Elements Prefs found in Premiere Elements Windows 7, 8, 8.1, or 10 64 bit)
Local Disk C
Users
Owner
AppData
Roaming
Adobe
Premiere Elements
version number (11, 12, 13, or 14)
and in the version number Folder is the Adobe Premiere Elements Prefs file that you delete. Be sure to be working with Folder Options Show Hidden Files, Folders, and Drives enabled so that you can see the complete path cited.
b. Determine if the problem exists in a new project.
0012. Elements Organizer crashes
a. Delete the Elements Organizer setting file (psa.prf found in Premiere Elements Windows 7, 8, 8.1, or 10 64 bit)
Local Disk C
Users
Owner
AppData
Roaming
Adobe
Elements Organizer
version number (11, 12, 13, or 14)
Organizer
and in the Organizer Folder is the psa.prf file that you delete or disable by renaming it from psa.prf to psa.prfOLD.
b. Create a new catalog - File Menu/Manage Catalogs/Catalog Manager.
c. Look at the compatibility of the imported file with the Elements Organizer.
d. Elements Organizer player compatibility issues with some imports appear to be another matter which at times appears to be related to the use of Dolby Digital audio in the file and which can sometimes be overcome with change of the file's file extension.
COMMENTARY
I am strictly an Elements Windows user, but try to find common ground between Premiere Elements Windows and Mac for troubleshooting purposes. Whenever possible, I offer Mac solutions from what I have read from reliable sources such as Adobe's own Adobe Premiere Elements Help Team.
There is no substitute for full Premiere Elements problem details for the best possible troubleshooting result - success. Ruling in or out some obvious factors at the onset expedites that path to success. Some of the "obvious" factors have been mentioned above for your consideration.
Also, check out the following Premiere Elements Daily Discoveries blog posts for other Premiere Elements problems - explained, some with solution, some no solution, and some with workaround.
Premiere Elements 12/12.1
http://www.atr935.blogspot.com/2013/09/pe12-daily-discoveries.html
Premiere Elements 13/13.1
http://atr935.blogspot.com/2014/09/premiere-elements-13-daily-discoveries.html
Premiere Elements 14/14.1
http://www.atr935.blogspot.com/2015/09/premiere-elements-14-daily-discoveries_21.html
Often the troubleshooting does not co-operate with an a, b, c, d solutions approach. That is when the challenge begins and the integration of full details becomes critical to solution, workaround, or no solution.
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ATR
