An AVI file can use DivX, XviD, NewTek SHQ3 (4:2:2:4) codec, MPEG-4 AVC, MPEG-2, DV, VP8, VP9, or other video codec for compression. AVI is a multimedia container format which contains various types of data encoded using one of several different codecs. You could import AVI files successfully previously, but after you upgraded Premiere Elements to new version or you upgraded your computer, some codec may be missing. This the the major cause for 'can't import avi video file into Premiere Elements' or import with audio/video only. Possible reason 2: some required codec is missing.

If not, repair it using a professional video repair tool. You can check whether your AVI file can be recognized and played properly using other programs. Generally speaking, there are two possible reasons that lead to AVI import failure: Possible reason 1: your AVI files are corrupted. Why can't your AVI video be imported into Adobe Premiere Elements (as a normal video file)? You can only add AVI video to the timeline of Premiere Elements 2020/2019/2018 as an audio track, instead of a video track. Or Premiere Elements only import audio from AVI files fro you.

The error message goes like, 'File Import Error', 'This type of file is not supported, or the required codec is not installed.', 'Unsupported format or damaged file' and 'The file has no audio or video streams'. However, in some cases, you can't import an AVI file to Premiere Elements (even the latest Premiere Elements 2020) successfully. According to Adobe's official website, Premiere Elements does import AVI files.

How to open avi files in premiere pro