Timeline issues on CapCut Desktop

Hi,

The discrepancy between the timeline preview and the exported file (audio/video out of sync in preview, correct in export; incorrect cuts in export) points to a display or rendering issue within the application's preview engine rather than a fundamental problem with your project data.

Here's a breakdown of possible causes and solutions, drawing from common CapCut issues reported by other users:

Understanding the problem:

• Preview Lag/Misalignment: This often happens when the editing software's preview rendering can't keep up with the complexity of your project or if there's a software glitch. It's a display issue, not a data corruption issue, which is why the export looks correct.
• Exported Cuts Not Reflected: This is more concerning and suggests a deeper bug where the export process isn't correctly interpreting your timeline edits. This could be related to caching or how the program is handling trimmed/deleted sections.

Issue 1: Audio and Video Out of Sync in the Timeline (But Not in Export)

Cause: This is likely a rendering or playback preview issue rather than an actual sync problem in your media. CapCut might be struggling with real-time decoding after the update.

Possible Fixes:

1. Lower the Playback Resolution:

   • Go to the preview window toolbar and reduce the resolution to "1/2" or "1/4" to improve timeline sync during editing.

2. Enable “Render Preview”:

   • Right-click on the timeline and look for options like “Render Preview” or “Pre-render”. This forces CapCut to render a smoother playback file for editing purposes.

3. Use Proxy Files:

   • If CapCut supports proxies in your version, enable proxy editing. This uses lower-quality temporary files for faster editing performance.

4. Close Background Processes:

   • CapCut might be fighting for resources. Try quitting all other heavy apps (e.g., Chrome, Photoshop, etc.) and restart CapCut.

5. Check Video Codec Compatibility:

   • If you're editing with high-bitrate or variable frame rate (VFR) footage (e.g., from screen recordings or smartphones), use HandBrake to convert it to constant frame rate (CFR) before importing.

Issue 2: Timeline cuts not reflected in exported file

Cause: This might be a rendering cache or project corruption bug introduced in the latest update.

Possible Fixes:

1. Clear Project Cache:

   • Go to CapCut > Preferences (or Settings).

   • Look for an option to “Clear Cache” or “Delete Temporary Files”.

2. Create a New Project & Reimport:

   • Export your current timeline as a .capcut project.

   • Create a new project and re-import your assets.

   • Avoid copying the whole timeline — instead, re-apply cuts gradually.

3. Check for Hidden Tracks or Gaps:

   • Scrub through the timeline and look below the main video/audio tracks. Sometimes clips get duplicated or layered accidentally.

4. Force Re-rendering:

   • Before exporting, make a minor change to every affected clip (e.g., a 1% zoom or slight color adjustment) to force CapCut to reprocess it on export.

Workaround Tip

While editing, use CapCut’s Markers and Snap-to-Cut tools more generously to track cuts and sync manually. This helps when preview performance is unreliable.

Other common troubleshooting steps:

1. Disable Hardware Acceleration: Disabling hardware acceleration in CapCut's settings can resolve preview issues. While it might slow down performance slightly, it can sometimes fix display bugs.

   • How to:
     1. Open CapCut.
     2. Go to Settings.
     3. Look for a "Performance" or "Playback" tab.
     4. Deselect any options related to "Hardware Acceleration" or "GPU Acceleration" during playback/preview.
     5. Restart CapCut.

2. Check Project and Source File Frame Rates: Mismatched frame rates between your source video/audio and your project settings can lead to sync issues during playback. While your export is fine, it's good to ensure consistency.

   • How to:
     1. In CapCut, check your project settings (usually found when you create a new project or under "File" > "Project Settings").
     2. Verify the frame rate (e.g., 25fps, 30fps, 60fps).
     3. Check the properties of your imported video and audio files to ensure they match. If they don't, you might need to convert them before importing, or CapCut might be handling the conversion during export.

3. Update CapCut (again, or rollback): You mentioned you have the latest version. Sometimes, a quick patch is released to fix newly introduced bugs. Double-check for any minor updates. If the issue started immediately after the very latest update, you might consider a roll back to a previous version.

4. Reinstall CapCut: If clearing the cache and disabling hardware acceleration don't work, a clean reinstall can resolve corrupted installation files or configuration issues.

   • How to:
     1. Completely uninstall CapCut from your Mac. Ensure all associated files are removed (you might need to check Application Support folders in your Library).
     2. Download the latest version of CapCut from the official website or Mac App Store.
     3. Install it cleanly.

5. Check System Resources: While your export is fine, a taxed system (low RAM, full storage, too many background apps) can cause preview lag and display errors.

   • How to:
     1. Close unnecessary applications while editing.
     2. Ensure you have sufficient free space on your hard drive (CapCut needs space for cache and temporary files).
     3. Check your Mac's RAM usage in Activity Monitor.

6. Try Exporting in a Different Format/Settings: For the "cuts not reflected" issue, try exporting with slightly different settings (e.g., a different codec or lower quality) as a test. While not a permanent solution, it might help diagnose if the export engine is struggling with specific parameters.

7. Report the Bug to CapCut Support: Since this happened after an update, it's highly likely a bug introduced by the developers. Reporting it directly to CapCut's developer team by emailing them at capcut.support@bytedance.com provides them with valuable information to fix it in future updates. They might also offer specific troubleshooting steps or workarounds.

Temporary Workaround for Misaligned Timeline:

Since the export is correct, you can use the exported video to verify your edits. This is cumbersome but ensures your final product is as intended. For making precise cuts, try to rely on the audio waveform and the actual timecode rather than just visual alignment on the timeline if the visual is consistently off by the same amount.

Given that the issue is specific to the CapCut Desktop (Mac) after an update, it strongly points towards a software bug. Focus on clearing the cache and, if possible, adjusting performance settings within CapCut.

For me worket cleaning the cache! 😉 

Pleas help, i'm struggling with this for days!!! 😫