Problems with audio cards (iOS and desktop)

Anki Help
1

Since yesterday, I’ve been having problems with audio cards on both the iOS and desktop versions of my Anki. When about to play an audio clip, there is an error saying that the file is not there, although I’ve been using the sync function as usual.

2

If this is a fresh install, or you are syncing a lot of new data for the first time, you need to allow enough time for your collection to sync – Media files may take time to sync - Anki FAQs . But it’s unusual to see that same error on both devices unless you synced/copied/imported the decks from somewhere else.

  1. Did the media used to function correctly in these decks, and it recently stopped? Or are these new decks and the media has never worked?

  2. Have you tried Tools > Check Media to see what missing and unused files are counted? [Until this is fixed, please do not use “Delete Unused Media.” If the media is there and Anki isn’t seeing it correctly, you don’t want to delete it.] Running Check Media can also fix some things, so after you run it, run it again to see if the result is the same.

  3. Also try running Tools > Check Database.

3

Thanks for the answer. This is a deck I’ve been using for quite a while, and it’s only recently that this problem started to occur. There’s only on iOS that I see an explicit error message when I’m about to play a audio clip. On the desktop version, there is no error message, just the clip doesn’t play. I just checked in “Tools > Check Media” and the top summary says:

Missing files: ⁨4⁩
Unused files: ⁨589

and when I rerun it, as you suggested, it’s the same.⁩

4

That helps wrap up some of the mysteries!

  1. Have the audio files synced to your iOS device? You can run ⚙️ Preferences > Check Media to see if you get the same result as on desktop.
  1. Are you expecting it to play automatically, or via clicking a button?
  2. Is there a visible :play_button: button on your card?
  3. Have you checked your card templates for “workarounds” like this – No sound for Desktop or AnkiDroid / mp3 plays by itself - #5 by Anon_0000 – which no longer work?
  4. If you look in the field of your notes, are these regular [sound:...] tags, or something else?
  5. What filetype are the files?
5

I used “check media” on the iOS app also, as you suggested, and it gave the same stats as the desktop app did. But then I went back and the synchronize button was red. So when I click on it it says that the deck on my ipad has diverged from the remote one, and thus cannot be merged safely. The dialog gives me an upload button and a download one, but I’m not sure which direction I should pick, to minimize any potential loss of data.. any idea?

6

Do you have changes (which includes edits, updates, review history, settings, etc.) on multiple devices at the same time? If so, that’s a harder question to answer, and you might need to step carefully – Syncing with AnkiWeb - Anki Manual .

Otherwise –

  • If all of your changes are on the device in your hand – upload to AnkiWeb (and you’ll download on your other device to receive that sync).
  • If all of your changes are on a different device – sync that device first, upload to AnkiWeb, and then download from AnkiWeb on this device to receive the sync.

If you don’t know, follow the merging instructions at the link.

7

I think it’s all fixed now, in my session this morning I didn’t have any trouble at all. Thanks a lot for your kind help, it’s very appreciated!

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8

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