I have to manually scroll the timeline to keep track of the playhead's position, which I find it inconvenient. There is lack of auto-scrolling in CapCut's timeline during playback. How to enable auto-scrolling of the timeline in CapCut?
Hi,
As of now, CapCut (PC and mobile versions) does not support automatic scrolling of the timeline during playback — this is a known limitation and a common request among users, especially for those editing longer videos.
Unfortunately, there is no direct "auto-scroll" setting or button in CapCut that automatically keeps the playhead centered or in view during playback, like you might find in some other professional video editing software.
Workarounds:
While there’s no toggle to enable auto-scrolling, here are a few options to deal with the issue:
-
Zoom Out on the Timeline:
-
Reduce the zoom level so more of your timeline fits on screen. This reduces the need for scrolling during playback.
-
On PC: Use the slider at the bottom of the timeline or press
Ctrl
+Mouse Scroll
. - Zoom In and Play: If you are sufficiently zoomed in, the timeline might start to move to keep the playhead in view. This isn't a consistent "auto-scroll" but rather a behavior when highly zoomed.
-
-
Pause and Manually Scroll:
- As you're already doing, you'll need to manually scroll the timeline using the horizontal scrollbar at the bottom of the timeline or by dragging the timeline itself.
-
Temporarily pause the playback when the playhead reaches the edge, scroll to reposition, and resume.
-
Use Shorter Sequences:
-
Split your project into smaller segments, edit each one, and then combine them later.
-
- Keyboard Shortcuts for Jumping:
- Spacebar (Double-Tap): Try double-tapping the spacebar to see if it can jump the view to the playhead's current position. While not true auto-scroll, it can save you from constantly dragging.
- Alt + Scroll Wheel: On PC, holding
Alt
and using the mouse scroll wheel can sometimes help move the timeline horizontally.
The dedicated auto-scrolling feature you're looking for is absent in CapCut's current design. Many users share your desire for this functionality, and it's a frequent request in the community. For now, you'll need to rely on the manual scrolling or quick jumps to keep track of your playhead.
Feature Request:
If this feature is crucial to your workflow, you can submit a feature request directly within the CapCut app:
-
PC: Click the feedback icon (usually a speech bubble with a question mark) in the upper-right corner.
-
Mobile: Go to Settings > Help > Feedback.
- Mail: [email protected]
CapCut developers do listen to user feedback, and a feature like timeline auto-scroll is relatively standard in other video editors (like Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve), so it may be added in future updates.
Dear CapCut Support Team,
I am writing to formally report a critical technical issue I am currently experiencing with the CapCut application, even as a paying CapCut Pro user. This issue has significantly disrupted my editing workflow and requires immediate attention.
The problem involves the timeline bar (playhead) — the vertical white line that indicates the current playback position in the video. Normally, when a video is played, the playhead should automatically move along the timeline to reflect the current time and position in the project.
However, in my case, the playhead is completely frozen. When I press the play button, the video and audio play as expected, but the playhead remains stuck in place. It does not move or update its position, even when I click or attempt to drag it manually. This makes it impossible to track the video’s timing, synchronize audio, or perform any detailed editing that relies on visual timing.
I have already tried several troubleshooting steps, including:
Restarting the application;
Rebooting my device;
Clearing the app cache;
Creating new projects with different media files;
Confirming that the app is updated to the latest version.
None of these actions resolved the issue. Additionally, I have noticed that other users have reported similar problems, which may suggest a widespread bug possibly introduced in a recent update.
As a CapCut Pro subscriber, I expect a seamless editing experience with full functionality, especially for such a fundamental feature. Therefore, I kindly request:
1. An immediate investigation into this issue by your technical team;
2. An official explanation or acknowledgment of the issue;
3. Updates regarding any upcoming fixes or software patches;
4. Compensation consideration for the disruption caused to my editing process.
I trust that CapCut will treat this issue with the urgency it requires. Thank you in advance for your assistance.
User ID: 9644916640