Tips to open WAVE file

Can't open the WAVE file? You are not the only one. Thousands of users face similar problems every day. Below you will find tips on how to open WAVE files as well as a list of programs that support WAVE files.

WAVE file extension

File Name WAVE Sound Format
File Category Audio Files

The WAVE file is supported on 2 operating systems. Depending on your operating system, you may need different software to handle the WAVE files. Below is a summary of the number of programs that support and open the WAVE file on each system platform.

Operating systems
  • 4
  • 3
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

What is WAVE file?

The file with the extension WAVE is the Audio Files file type. In addition to this file, the Audio Files category includes 771 related files. WAVE Sound Format is supported by 2 operating systems. These systems consist of Mac OS, Windows, although it may occasionally be found on another system, it will be non-functional. The QuickTime Player application is recommended to open the file. It was released by Apple, Inc.. This file type can also be opened by 6 other programs. You can use iTunes, Windows Media Player, Helium Music Manager in case QuickTime Player cannot be used.

How to open WAVE file?

The most common problem when using WAVE Sound Format is that a specific WAVE is not associated with the program. Thus, when you open WAVE, the program selection wizard or some other program starts. This problem can be easily remedied.

The first thing you should do is just "doubleclick" on the WAVE file icon you want to open. If the operating system has an appropriate application to support it and there is also an association between the file and the program, the file should be opened.

Step 1. Install QuickTime Player

In this case, you should first verify that the QuickTime Player application is installed on the computer. This can be achieved by typing QuickTime Player into the operating system search engine. In the absence of an appropriate program, its installation in the vast majority of cases will fix the problem. Later in this article you will find a list of programs that can open WAVE files.

Step 2. Create association of QuickTime Player with WAVE files

If the application is or has been freshly installed, but the WAVE file still does not use the QuickTime Player program, it means no association. This option is available from the level of Properties of a specific file available in the context menu. Information about the file and the program that the file is associated with are available here. Using the "Change" button we can set the program to handle this type. It may happen that in the next window there will be no appropriate program - however, this can be corrected with the "Browse" option where you should manually indicate the program location. The "always use the selected program ..." field will set the QuickTime Player application as the default for handling the WAVE file.

Step 3. Update QuickTime Player to the latest version

If, however, after binding QuickTime Player with WAVE Sound Format there were still problems, you should update the program to the latest version. In this case, use the Apple, Inc. website or update the program from the application.

Step 4. Check for the following problems with the WAVE file

Of course, it may happen that despite the above steps, the file still does not work. File problems can be divided into the following:

The WAVE file may be unusually small compared to the original file. This is most often caused by a problem while downloading the WAVE file. Downloading the file again should fix the problem.
The computer may have fallen victim to a computer virus or hacker. Perform a virus scan using available and up-to-date anti-virus software. Alternatively, you can use the scanners available online. However, it is important to scan the entire system, not only the file WAVE or the program directory. However, remember that not every infected WAVE file can be recovered, so it is important to take care of regular backups.
This can happen especially when the program is dynamically developed and the structure of the WAVE files changes over time. On their websites, developers usually offer free solutions to such problems, e.g. in the form of a conversion program or an older version of the program.
The file may be corrupted in a number of ways. Repairing is very dependent on the file type. Some programs offer the option of recovering data from damaged WAVE files. You can restore the file from a backup or use N/A help.
When reading, a message appears that the file was encrypted or corrupted. The encrypted WAVE files cannot be played on other computers than the one on which they were encrypted, they must be decrypted before using on another device.
Some operating systems do not allow file operations in certain locations, eg in system directories or directly on the system drive. While there is usually no problem reading such a file, it may not be possible to save it. It is best to move WAVE to a different directory.
This can happen on a file that does not support multiple access. Some file types can only be opened in one program at a time. Running programs (including those in the background) should be verified. Sometimes you have to wait for the session to the file WAVE to close. Some anti-virus or backup software may occupy the WAVE file for a certain period of time. If the problem persists, restart the machine.