# Can't open erroneous M4A file for writing
**URL:** https://community.mp3tag.de/t/cant-open-erroneous-m4a-file-for-writing/59349
**Category:** Support
**Created:** [December 9, 2022, 11:45pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/cant-open-erroneous-m4a-file-for-writing/59349 "2022-12-09T23:45:17Z")
**Posts on this page:** 10
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@fpefpe](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/fpefpe)
#### Post date: [December 9, 2022, 11:45pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/cant-open-erroneous-m4a-file-for-writing/59349/1 "2022-12-09T23:45:17Z")
Hello --- I just was updating the comment tag in directory of files --- 38 in total files -- the files are apple format -- \*.m4a --- all the comment tag was updated on all the files except for one file.
I check that the "cacls" are set to everyone (f) --- the r/o flag for the file it not set, and I copies the files to us usb drive and I still could not write / update the file ---- Is there a log that might have more information on why the file is lock out to be updated? Thanks
---
### Author:  [@MotleyG](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/MotleyG)
#### Post date: [December 10, 2022, 6:11am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/cant-open-erroneous-m4a-file-for-writing/59349/2 "2022-12-10T06:11:46Z")
There are several topics already open about this, see this one for some good pointers on potential ways to fix it.
> [@Ca't open file to write when saving tags](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/cat-open-file-to-write-when-saving-tags/54011):
>
> When saving tags I occasionally get an error message "File cannot be opened for writing". If I'm saving a whole CD's worth of files, for example, it will only happen with a few files. Some will write perfectly well. The problem appears to be worse when trying to save folder art. Sometimes trying a second time it works OK, sometimes not. I'm using v3.08 but it has been happening with previous versions. Files are .flac. Any thoughts?
---
### Author:  [@fpefpe](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/fpefpe)
#### Post date: [December 13, 2022, 3:18am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/cant-open-erroneous-m4a-file-for-writing/59349/3 "2022-12-13T03:18:19Z")
thanks for the info but I think that this is some sort of edge condition --- how can I post the \*.m4a file to the group?
---
### Author:  [@ohrenkino](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/ohrenkino)
#### Post date: [December 13, 2022, 6:40am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/cant-open-erroneous-m4a-file-for-writing/59349/4 "2022-12-13T06:40:48Z")
Before you spend any more effort: where and how did you get the file and can you replace it with another copy and check that one.
Esp. when it is a download, it could be that something went wrong along that way.
Further notes can be found in
> [@Hints for asking Support Requests](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/hints-for-asking-support-requests/56190):
>
> If you need support using Mp3tag, you can help the community members that are about to support you in finding a solution or workaround to your problem, by following these simple guidelines. Be descriptive, also in what you’ve already tried Please give a short explanation what’s not working as expected or what you’re trying to achieve. It’s best to know any details about the problem at hand and especially, what steps you’ve already tried to solve it by yourself. Helpful information also includ…
---
### Author:  [@fpefpe](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/fpefpe)
#### Post date: [December 13, 2022, 7:00am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/cant-open-erroneous-m4a-file-for-writing/59349/5 "2022-12-13T07:00:22Z")
Use used software call switch (from nch) to convert a FLAC file to M4A ( ALAC) format
here is a link to the M4A file
> **[28 Okie From Muskogee.m4a](https://wetransfer.com/downloads/46a27b0c364ce81a1804dc3dbcd9b16620221213065803/391ca4)**
>
> 1 file sent via WeTransfer, the simplest way to send your files around the world
---
### Author:  [@ohrenkino](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/ohrenkino)
#### Post date: [December 13, 2022, 7:08am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/cant-open-erroneous-m4a-file-for-writing/59349/6 "2022-12-13T07:08:14Z")
Yes, I also get the message.
When I try to edit the tags in foobar, it also fails.
So, I would try to get a new conversion of that file.
---
### Author:  [@fpefpe](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/fpefpe)
#### Post date: [December 13, 2022, 4:12pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/cant-open-erroneous-m4a-file-for-writing/59349/7 "2022-12-13T16:12:52Z")
thanks for confirming that --- is there an options / fags for a M4A file that will lock it for updates?
---
### Author:  [@ohrenkino](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/ohrenkino)
#### Post date: [December 13, 2022, 4:36pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/cant-open-erroneous-m4a-file-for-writing/59349/8 "2022-12-13T16:36:57Z")
I thought that you had created it yourself - so you should know what the process involved.
But as foobar also reports that it cannot update the file, I would assume that really something has seriously gone wrong.
---
### Author:  [@Florian](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/Florian)
#### Post date: [December 13, 2022, 5:08pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/cant-open-erroneous-m4a-file-for-writing/59349/9 "2022-12-13T17:08:06Z")
It seems like it has a corrupt MP4 atom that prevents the file from being processed further. You can fix it using ffmpeg with
`ffmpeg -i input.m4a -c copy output.m4a`
---
### Author:  [@system](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/system)
#### Post date: [January 12, 2023, 5:08pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/cant-open-erroneous-m4a-file-for-writing/59349/10 "2023-01-12T17:08:29Z")
This topic was automatically closed 30 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.