Powerpoint: Audio Narration Troubleshooting

Overview

Exporting a PowerPoint with audio narration can be challenging. Below are a few solutions for the known issues reported. Please note that it may take trial and error to find a solution that works for your computer configuration. If these solutions don't work, please submit an LTS HelpDesk ticket. 

Known issues 

The following issues are being experienced by some Windows users on campus. 

• Exporting takes longer than a reasonable time (ex., for a 5-minute video, rendering takes many hours). 
• Exporting stalls (ex., the progress bar in the lower quadrant of the screen is not moving). 
• Rendering fails. 
• Audio lags behind the video.  

Alternative Recording Programs

If the provided solutions don't work, try a different video creation tool like MyMedia/Kaltura or ClipChamp. LTS Training supports both programs and can offer just-in-time training. Email us at Training@uwec.edu. 

• Learn more about MyMedia/Kaltura by clicking on the Kaltura Overview Article.
• Learn more about ClipChamp by clicking on the ClipChamp Overview Article.

Check for Conflicting Software

Third-party software and screen capture tools may introduce issues with video encoding.

1. Check for any software applications that may conflict with PowerPoint or the rendering process.
2. Close or disable such programs.
3. Restart PowerPoint. 
4. Attempt to export the video again. 

Test with a Simplified PowerPoint File

The glitches might be related to specific content in the PowerPoint file (e.g., animations, transitions, or media). Create a simplified version of your presentation:

• Remove all animations, transitions, and embedded media (videos, audio, or complex graphics)
• Use basic slides with text and simple images
• Export this simplified presentation to MP4 and check for glitches
• If the simplified file exports cleanly, gradually reintroduce elements (e.g., animations or media) to identify what aspect was causing the conflict. 

You can also check for corrupted fonts or objects, which cause rendering issues.
To test:

• Copy all slides to a new PowerPoint file (create a blank presentation and paste slides).
• Change fonts to a standard option (e.g., Arial or Times New Roman) across all slides.
• Export the new file and check for glitches.

Change Video Export Settings

PowerPoint's export settings (resolution, frame rate) might be causing encoding issues.
Try adjusting them:

1. 1. Go to File and click Export.
      
      
   2. Select Create a Video.
      
      
   3. Lower the resolution (e.g., from 4K to 1080p or 720p) and frame rate (e.g., from 30 FPS to 24 FPS).
      
   4. Export to your desktop (save locally; do not save to OneDrive). 
   5. Check if glitches persist.

Use Safe Mode

PowerPoint Safe Mode is a diagnostic startup state that launches the application in its most basic form, entirely bypassing third-party add-ins, customized templates, and saved user preferences. It is primarily used to troubleshoot and isolate performance issues, such as crashes, freezing, or video export failures. 

1. Press and hold the Ctrl key on your keyboard.
2. While holding the key, click or double-click the PowerPoint icon.
3. Release the Ctrl key when a pop-up box appears asking: "You're holding down the CTRL key. Do you want to start PowerPoint in Safe Mode?"
4. Click Yes. 
5. Export the video to your desktop (save locally; do not save to OneDrive). 

Export a Different File Type

The issue could be specific to MP4 file encoding. Alternatively, try exporting in a different format (e.g., WMV, if available) to see if the issue is specific to MP4 encoding.

Try doing the following: 

1. Go to File and select Export.
2. Select Create a Video. 
3. Adjust the video export settings (see above) if applicable. 
4. Under Save as type, select .wmv. (Mac users can select .mov). 
   
5. Click Export and save locally to your desktop (do not save to OneDrive). 

Disable Hardware Acceleration

PowerPoint uses hardware acceleration for rendering, which can sometimes cause issues with video exports, especially if the GPU drivers are not fully compatible or there's a hardware mismatch. This forces PowerPoint to use software rendering, which is slower but can bypass GPU-related issues.

1. Go to File.
   
   
2. On the left sidebar, select Options.
   
3. Click on Advanced.
   
4. Scroll down until you see the Display settings.
   
5. Turn on "Disable Slide Show hardware graphics acceleration."
   
   
6. Export the video again. Check if the glitches persist.