Exported at mp4 default settings in less than five-seconds here, with audio intact (no one-minute silent leader). Tested it twice, and could not replicate the issue.
Does audio play in preview?
Save Project File AS routinely, giving it a unique # or name, so as not to overwrite prior saves. Using Save Project Files (no AS) will overwrite. Then you can restore a project to the state it was in when saved. Just double-click the VPJ file (which isn't playable).
Then close the program. Go to this PC folder and delete all files that it contains... "C:\Program Files (x86)\NCH Software\Components" or the same path without (x86).
Reinstall the latest VP release.
Success?