What is encoding failure?

When a memory is not stored in the brain's long-term memory, it is called an encoding failure. Successfully encoding memories requires a semantic value of the memory itself.

Memory encoding is varied and affected by the senses. Visual encoding entails memory storage through visual sensory information gathered through sight, aiding in the storage of long-term memory. Semantic encoding is the main cause of long-term memories being stored. It occurs when a memory has a particular meaning or can be linked to an event the brain perceives as valuable to remember. If the memory is not part of semantic encoding, encoding failure may occur, and the memory may not be stored long term.