problems with editing

Hi,

The exported video in CapCut appears small, with black bars on the sides, even though you have set the aspect ratio to 9:16. This often happens due to the way CapCut handles the video's initial import and project settings.

Here's a breakdown of why this happens and how to fix it step by step:

The problem:

You shot your videos vertically (portrait mode) on your phone, which is 9:16.
But when you export, the final video:

• Appears small (often centered with black borders).

• Doesn't fill the entire 9:16 frame.

This usually happens because:

• CapCut’s canvas (project aspect ratio) is not set properly before editing/export.

• Clips are not resized to fill the screen.

Step-by-Step Fix for mobile app & PC

1. Set Canvas to 9:16 Before Editing

• Open CapCut > Create a new project.

• Tap on the Canvas option at the bottom.

• Select 9:16 (vertical). This sets the correct aspect ratio for your TikTok, Reels, YouTube Shorts, etc.

2. Ensure All Clips Are Resized Properly

• Tap on each clip in the timeline.

• Tap Edit > Zoom or use two fingers to pinch/stretch.

• Ensure the video fills the frame fully (no black bars).

Tip: If your clip shows black bars, it's probably too small. Resize or crop it slightly to fit.

3. Disable Background if Not Needed

If CapCut added a blurred background:

• Tap on the clip > Choose "Edit" > "Style" or "Background".

• Set background to none (transparent or black) if you don't want blurred areas.

4. Export Settings

Before exporting:

• Tap Export (top right).

• Ensure:

  • Resolution: 1080p or higher.

  • Frame rate: 30 or 60 (optional).

  • Format: MP4.

  • Aspect Ratio: Should default to 9:16 if canvas was set correctly.

1. Incorrect project resolution or aspect ratio setting

Even if you set the canvas to 9:16, the project's overall resolution might be defaulting to a different aspect ratio (like 16:9, which is standard for landscape videos). When you export, CapCut might be trying to fit your 9:16 content into a 16:9 frame, causing it to appear small with black bars.

Solution:

• Create a new project specifically for 9:16. When you start a new project in CapCut, before you even import your video, go to the "Format" or "Aspect Ratio" settings and choose 9:16. This will set the project's canvas to the correct dimensions from the beginning.

• Check the resolution settings on export. When you are ready to export, double-check the resolution and frame rate settings. Ensure the resolution is something like 1080x1920 (which is 9:16) and not 1920x1080.

2. Your video's original orientation is being overridden

Sometimes, CapCut will try to auto-correct the orientation of a video, especially if the metadata in the file indicates a different orientation. If your phone's camera app wrote a landscape orientation to the file, CapCut might be defaulting to that.

Solution:

• Rotate the video clip within the CapCut timeline. After you import your video, tap on the clip in the timeline. Go to the "Edit" or "Transform" options and look for a "Rotate" tool. Rotate the video 90 degrees until it is correctly oriented vertically.

• Use the "Fill" or "Stretch" option. After you have your vertical video on the timeline, use two fingers to pinch and zoom out until the video fills the entire screen. Alternatively, some versions of CapCut have an "Adjust" or "Canvas" option with a "Fit to Canvas" or "Fill" button that will automatically resize the video to fill the 9:16 frame.

3. Canvas or Background Setting Issues

If the video itself is correctly oriented and sized, the problem could be with the "Canvas" or "Background" settings. The app might be adding a background to your video and making the video itself smaller.

Solution:

• Check the "Canvas" settings. Select the video clip in the timeline, then look for the "Canvas" or "Background" option. Make sure that the canvas is set to "None" or a solid black color. If it is set to "Blur" or a specific image, it might be pushing your video inward.

• Ensure the video is properly layered. If you are using multiple video layers, ensure your main video clip is on the main track and not on an overlay track, which can sometimes have different sizing properties.

If it still doesn’t work

Please check:

• Are you exporting from a template? Sometimes templates override aspect ratios.

• Are your videos recorded in very low resolution or different aspect ratio (like 4:3)? If yes, CapCut may auto-fit them with borders.

• Are you using CapCut on PC or Mac? The canvas settings may be in a different place. Let us know and we will guide you specifically.

Quick troubleshooting checklist:

1. Start a New Project: Begin by creating a new project.

2. Set Aspect Ratio: Immediately set the aspect ratio to 9:16.

3. Import Your Video: Bring in your vertical video.

4. Check for Rotation: If the video appears sideways, rotate it.

5. Use "Fill" or Zoom: Use the "Fill" tool or pinch to zoom the video so it completely fills the 9:16 frame.

6. Export Settings: When you export, verify that the resolution is set to a 9:16 dimension (e.g., 1080p, which is 1080x1920).

If you follow these steps and the problem persists, there might be a specific bug with your version of the app or a very specific issue with the video files themselves. In that case, you might consider:

• Updating the CapCut App: Make sure you're using the latest version of the app.

• Checking Your Phone's Camera Settings: Review your phone's camera app settings to ensure it's not automatically saving videos in a non-standard or forced landscape format.

• Trying a Different Video: Test if the problem happens with just one video or all of them. If it's just one, the file itself might be corrupted.

Want to be sure?

If you upload a screenshot of:

• Your CapCut project preview, and

• The exported video as seen in your gallery,

We can spot exactly where it's going wrong.