mpv freezes/takes long to startup

mpv Information

mpv v0.40.0-dirty Copyright © 2000-2025 mpv/MPlayer/mplayer2 projects
 built on Apr  4 2025 07:28:54
libplacebo version: v7.349.0
FFmpeg version: n7.1
FFmpeg library versions:
   libavcodec      61.19.100
   libavdevice     61.3.100
   libavfilter     10.4.100
   libavformat     61.7.100
   libavutil       59.39.100
   libswresample   5.3.100
   libswscale      8.3.100

Other Information

- Linux version: Arch Linux
- Kernel Version: 6.14.1
- GPU Model: AMD Radeon RX 7700S/AMD Radeon 780M
- Mesa/GPU Driver Version: Mesa 25.0.3-arch1.1
- Window Manager and Version: Hyprland v0.48.1
- Source of mpv: Arch Linux package manager
- Latest known working version: 0.39
- Issue started after the following happened: I don't remember (probably after I upgraded to 0.40)

Reproduction Steps

Just launch mpv on any file and it will take a while to launch. Also changing workspaces with it open and changing back after a few seconds (not immediately) will cause an audio underrun error and freeze (but this only occurs for music files with cover art). Using --gpu-api=opengl fixes the issue.

Expected Behavior

mpv will launch and play smoothly with no issues.

Actual Behavior

mpv will not launch after until after a few seconds.

Log File

output.txt

Sample Files

output.txt

I carefully read all instruction and confirm that I did the following:

• I tested with the latest mpv version to validate that the issue is not already fixed.
• I provided all required information including system and mpv version.
• I produced the log file with the exact same set of files, parameters, and conditions used in "Reproduction Steps", with the addition of --log-file=output.txt.
• I produced the log file while the behaviors described in "Actual Behavior" were actively observed.
• I attached the full, untruncated log file.
• I attached the backtrace in the case of a crash.

Start with the attached output.txt and reproduce the delay using the listed mpv, Linux, Mesa, and Hyprland versions. Compare normal startup and workspace changes with the default GPU API versus --gpu-api=opengl, including music files with cover art. Done means mpv starts promptly and does not freeze or produce audio underruns under the reported conditions.