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To fix FFmpeg “Permission denied” when reading playlist videos on Linux, check which account runs FFmpeg, then verify that account can read the playlist, every video it names, and each directory along those paths. The error corresponds to EACCES (Linux error 13), but by itself it does not identify which path was denied. If FFmpeg reports “Unsafe file name” instead, investigate the concat demuxer’s path validation; changing -safe does not grant filesystem access.
First confirm which playlist method your command uses
FFmpeg has several concatenation methods, and their options are not interchangeable. The concat demuxer reads a text script containing file entries and processes the listed files sequentially. The concat filter joins streams and is the approach to consider when re-encoding is needed. The concat protocol performs file-level concatenation for supported formats. The -safe option discussed below applies to the concat demuxer, not to every command that combines media. See the FFmpeg Formats documentation and the FFmpeg FAQ for the distinctions.
If your command uses the concat demuxer, its input is a text file with directives such as file path/to/video.mp4. The script can begin with ffconcat version 1.0 for automatic recognition, but that signature must be exactly on the first line. Paths containing spaces or special characters need appropriate quoting or escaping. The demuxer also requires the listed files to have the same streams, including codecs and time bases.
Diagnose the denied path before changing permissions
1. Identify the account that actually runs FFmpeg
Run diagnostics in the same context as the failing command. A command launched in your shell may run as your login user, while a service, scheduled job, container, or media application may use a different account. Check that process or service configuration; do not assume your terminal user’s access applies.
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For an interactive command, id shows the current account and groups. For a service or other managed process, inspect its configured execution identity and use that identity for the access checks where possible.
2. Read every playlist entry literally
Open the playlist and check each file entry for spelling, whitespace, quoting, escaping, and whether its path is relative or absolute. Relative paths must resolve as intended in the context where FFmpeg runs. Look for leading-dot path components, which can also matter to concat safe-path validation. Confirm that every entry names the intended file.
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3. Check the playlist, video files, and parent directories
Inspect the playlist and each referenced video separately. Useful read-only diagnostics include:
ls -l /path/to/playlist.txt /path/to/video.mp4to inspect ownership and mode bits.namei -l /path/to/video.mp4to inspect permissions on each directory component.getfacl /path/to/playlist.txt /path/to/video.mp4if the system uses ACLs and the command is available.
Use the actual paths from your playlist. Reading a file requires access to the file and the ability to traverse its parent directories. Repeat the checks for every listed video; access to the playlist alone is not enough.
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4. Grant only the access that is missing
If the FFmpeg account lacks read access, grant the required access to that account or an appropriate group, or move the media to a location that account can traverse and read. Choose the narrowest suitable change for your setup. Avoid blanket recursive changes such as making an entire media tree world-writable: they can create a security problem and may not address the actual blocked path.
5. Retest one video, then the playlist
Try opening a single listed video with the same FFmpeg account and execution context. If that fails too, focus on the file and directory access for that path. If the individual video opens but the playlist fails, focus on playlist syntax, relative-path resolution, or concat safe mode.
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Handle “Unsafe file name” separately from “Permission denied”
The concat demuxer’s safe option validates paths independently of Linux file permissions. Its documented default is safe=1; it rejects paths with a protocol specification, paths that are not relative, paths containing characters outside its documented portable set, and paths with a component beginning with a period. This can cause an “Unsafe file name” diagnostic even when the operating system would allow the file to be read.
For a playlist you trust, you can disable that validation by placing -safe 0 before the relevant concat input option. For example:
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ffmpeg -f concat -safe 0 -i playlist.txt -c copy output.mp4This changes concat path validation; it does not give the FFmpeg process additional read permission. Do not use it as a substitute for diagnosing EACCES, and do not use it with an untrusted playlist. Check the documentation for the FFmpeg version installed on your system, since older or distribution-patched builds may differ.
Common causes and fixes
| What you observe | Likely area to check | Next step |
|---|---|---|
Permission denied while opening the playlist |
The FFmpeg account cannot read the playlist, or cannot traverse one of its parent directories. | Check the playlist and each directory in its path as the actual execution account. |
Permission denied after the playlist is opened |
A listed video or one of its parent directories may be inaccessible. | Check each referenced file and its directory components separately. |
Unsafe file name |
Concat demuxer path validation, such as an absolute path or a path containing a disallowed component. | Review the documented safe-path rules; consider -safe 0 only for a trusted playlist. |
| A listed file cannot be found or the wrong file is selected | A typo, quoting or escaping error, or an unintended relative-path base. | Resolve each playlist entry in the failing command’s execution context and correct the script. |
| The individual video opens, but the concat job still fails | Playlist syntax, safe-path checks, or differences in the listed streams may be involved. | Check the script and diagnostic message; for the concat demuxer, confirm the files have matching streams, codecs, and time bases. |
Choose a concatenation method that fits the job
- Concat demuxer: Use a script listing files for sequential demuxing. Check path syntax, safe-path behavior, and the requirement for matching streams, codecs, and time bases.
- Concat filter: Consider it when the streams need to be joined with re-encoding; consult the FFmpeg FAQ for its filter guidance.
- Concat protocol: Use it only for formats that support file-level concatenation.
Changing concatenation methods does not repair missing Linux access rights. Diagnose file and directory access under the FFmpeg process identity whichever method you use.
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