Software⏱️ 3 min read📅 2026-06-11

How to Fix 0x16a4010 Error – Error encoding with ffmpeg: “[NULL @ 0x16a4010]error, non monotone timestamps”

FFmpeg error encoding issue with non-monotone timestamps, causing video playback problems.

Quick Answer: Use the '-r' option to set a fixed frame rate for the output video, or use the '-async 1' option to force FFmpeg to ignore errors and continue encoding.

The error 'non monotone timestamps' occurs when FFmpeg encounters timestamps that are not in monotonic order, which can cause issues with encoding and decoding video. This error is typically seen in situations where the input file has a non-monotonic timestamp sequence, such as in certain types of audio or video files.

This error can be frustrating for users who need to encode videos quickly, especially when dealing with large files. However, by following the steps outlined below, you should be able to resolve this issue and achieve successful encoding.

🔍 Why This Happens

  • The main reason for this error is that FFmpeg is unable to handle non-monotonic timestamps in the input file. This can occur when the input file contains audio or video streams with timestamps that are not in chronological order.
  • Another possible cause of this error is a misconfigured FFmpeg settings, such as an incorrect timestamp range or a mismatch between the input and output formats.

🔧 Proven Troubleshooting Steps

Fixing Non-Monotonic Timestamps using Timestamp Adjustment

  1. Step 1: To fix non-monotonic timestamps, you can use the `-r` option with FFmpeg to specify a frame rate. For example: `ffmpeg -i input.flv -r 25 -c:v copy output.mp4`. This will adjust the timestamps to be in monotonic order.
  2. Step 2: Alternatively, you can use the `-af` option with FFmpeg to apply a timestamp adjustment filter. For example: `ffmpeg -i input.flv -af 'atempo=1' output.mp4`. This will adjust the timestamps of the audio stream to be in monotonic order.

Fixing Non-Monotonic Timestamps using FFmpeg's internal timestamp adjustment

  1. Step 1: To fix non-monotonic timestamps, you can use FFmpeg's internal timestamp adjustment feature. This involves using the `avfilter` option to apply a timestamp adjustment filter to the input stream. For example: `ffmpeg -i input.flv -vf 'timestamp=0' output.mp4`. This will adjust the timestamps of the video stream to be in monotonic order.
  2. Step 2: Note that this method may not work for all types of files, and may require additional configuration or tweaking to achieve the desired results.

🎯 Final Words

By following one of the methods outlined above, you should be able to resolve the 'non monotone timestamps' error and successfully encode your video. Remember to always check the FFmpeg documentation for the latest features and options, and experiment with different settings to find what works best for your specific use case.

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