CapCut Insane Lag even after Proxy

Hi,

It is surprising to see that there is such severe lag while trying to edit. You have already tried many of the common fixes. Let us dig a little deeper and see if we can pinpoint the issue.

Here are some additional things you can try and check:

1. Video Codec and Resolution:

• What is the format and resolution of your original video files? High-resolution videos (like 4K) or certain codecs (like highly compressed ones) can be very demanding on your system, even with proxies. Try converting a small portion of your video to a more editing-friendly format like H.264 with a lower resolution (like 1080p) and see if the lag improves when editing that section. You can use a free tool like HandBrake for this.
• Are you using multiple different video formats in your project? Sometimes, mixing different codecs can cause performance issues.

2. Proxy Settings in Detail:

• Can you describe exactly how you created and applied the proxy files in CapCut? Sometimes, the settings used when creating the proxies can impact their effectiveness. Ensure the proxy resolution is significantly lower than your original footage.
• Double-check that CapCut is actually using the proxy files. There might be a setting to toggle between the original and proxy media. Make sure it's set to use the proxies for editing.

3. Enable Proxy Media: Utilizing proxy media creates lower-resolution copies of your high-resolution files, easing the processing load during editing. To enable proxies in CapCut:

• Click on a blank space in the timeline (ensure no clip is selected).​
• Click the Modify button in the Details section or navigate to Menu > Settings.
• Under the Performance tab, activate the Proxy option and select a resolution (720p or 540p).​
• Click Save to apply the changes.​

This approach can significantly enhance playback smoothness during editing.

4. Disk Performance:

• Where are your original video files, proxy files, and CapCut project saved? Ideally, they should all be on a fast internal SSD. If they are on a regular HDD or an external drive, especially one connected via USB 2.0, this could be a major bottleneck.
• Check your disk usage while editing. Even if RAM is low, if your disk is constantly at 100% usage, it can cause severe lag. You can check this in the Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) under the "Performance" tab.

5. Background Processes:

• Even though your RAM usage seems low, check your CPU and Disk usage in Task Manager while CapCut is running. Other background applications or processes might be consuming significant resources without you realizing it. Close any unnecessary programs running in the background.

6. CapCut Specific Settings:

• Playback Quality: Within CapCut, there might be a setting to adjust the playback quality during editing. Try lowering this setting to see if it improves performance. Look for options like "Preview Quality" or similar.
• Rendering Settings (though this is usually for exporting): While you're editing, CapCut might be doing some background rendering. Check if there are any settings related to this that you can adjust.

7. Graphics Card (GPU):

• Do you know what graphics card your computer has? CapCut utilizes your GPU for processing. Make sure you have the latest drivers installed for your graphics card. You can find this information by searching for "Device Manager" in Windows.
• Check if CapCut is actually using your GPU. CapCut has settings to select which GPU to use if you have more than one.

8. Adjust Preview Quality:

Lowering the preview quality can reduce the strain on your system:

• Click the three-line menu above the preview window.​
• Select Preview and switch from Best Quality to Best Performance.​

This adjustment prioritizes performance over visual fidelity during editing, which can help reduce lag.

9. Video File Location:

• Are you editing directly from an external hard drive? While possible, it's generally recommended to copy your video files to your internal drive for editing, especially if the external drive is slower.

10. Optimize Graphics Settings: Enhancing CapCut's priority in your system's graphics settings may improve performance:

• Press Windows + I to open Settings.​
• Navigate to System > Display > Graphics Settings.​
• Click Browse, locate and select CapCut.exe, then click Add.​
• Click Options, choose High Performance, and save the changes.​

This ensures CapCut utilizes your system's high-performance GPU.

11. Clear CapCut Cache: Accumulated cache files can hinder performance:

• On CapCut's home page, click the Settings icon.
• Select Settings, then click the delete icon next to Cache Size.​
• Confirm by clicking OK.​

Regularly clearing the cache can help maintain optimal performance.

12. Close Background Applications: Even if your memory usage appears low, other applications might be consuming CPU or disk resources. Closing unnecessary programs can free up system resources for CapCut.

• Update or Reinstall CapCut: Ensure you're using the latest version of CapCut, as updates often include performance improvements and bug fixes. If issues persist, consider reinstalling the application to resolve potential corruption.

• Free Up Disk Space: Adequate storage is crucial for video editing. Ensure your system drive has sufficient free space to accommodate temporary files and project data.

13. Project Complexity:

• Does the lag occur even with a very simple project (just a few cuts)? If the lag only starts when you add effects, transitions, or a lot of layers, then the complexity of your edits might be overwhelming your system. Try working on smaller sections of your video at a time.

Troubleshooting Steps to Try:

1. Move your video files and CapCut project to your fastest internal drive (ideally an SSD).
2. Ensure CapCut is using the proxy files and that they were created with a significantly lower resolution.
3. Close all unnecessary applications running in the background.
4. Check your disk usage in Task Manager while editing. If it's consistently high, that's a likely bottleneck.
5. Lower the playback/preview quality within CapCut.
6. Update your graphics card drivers.
7. Try editing a very small portion of your video (a few minutes) to see if the lag persists. This can help determine if the issue is related to the length of the project or something else.

For a video guide on addressing CapCut lag issues, you might find this tutorial helpful:

Implementing these strategies should enhance CapCut's performance and provide a smoother editing experience. 

Could you provide some more details about your video files (format, resolution, approximate file size) and your computer's specifications (specifically the CPU and graphics card)? This information might help narrow down the cause of the lag.