Couldn't use project because its saying 'this project is from an unusual path and cannot be used currently"

Hi,

This error message "This project is from an unusual path and cannot be used currently" in CapCut means that CapCut is having trouble accessing the project file because of its location. Let us figure out why this is happening and how to solve it.

Here are the most common reasons and solutions to this error:

Understanding the "Unusual Path" Error

• CapCut needs project files to be in a specific, standard location on your device. If the project file is moved, renamed, or saved in a location CapCut doesn't recognize, this error can occur.
• If your project is saved on an external hard drive, USB drive, or cloud storage that is not properly connected or accessible when you try to open the project, CapCut will show this error.
• In some cases, CapCut might not have the necessary permissions to access the folder where the project file is located. This is more common on desktop computers.
• While less frequent, the project file itself could be corrupted, although the error message usually points more towards a path issue.

Troubleshooting steps to fix the error

1. Verify project file location:

   • Think back to when you created the project. Do you remember specifically saving it to a custom folder, an external drive, or a cloud service?
   • If you are on a computer, use File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac) to manually browse to the location where you think you saved the project. Check if the project file (.capcut file or similar) is actually there.
   • CapCut usually has a default folder for saving projects. Try to locate this folder on your device and see if your project is mistakenly saved there. (On mobile, projects are managed within the app itself, but on desktop, you will have a specific folder).

2. Project on external storage?

   • If you saved the project to an external drive (USB, external HDD/SSD), make absolutely sure that drive is properly connected to your computer and turned on.
   • Verify that your operating system has correctly "mounted" or recognized the external drive. Sometimes, drives can disconnect or have mounting issues.
   • As a test, if possible, try moving the project file from the external drive to your computer's internal storage (e.g., your Documents folder). Then, try opening it in CapCut again. If this works, it suggests the issue was related to external drive access.

3. Move the Project File to a "Normal" Location:

   • Move to Documents or Pictures Folder: Try moving the .capcut project file to a standard folder like your "Documents" or "Pictures" folder on your computer's internal drive. These are usually locations that applications have easy access to.
   • Re-open in CapCut: After moving the file, try to open the project in CapCut again.

4. Modify project configuration:

   • You can edit the project's configuration files:

     • Navigate to the project directory, typically found at:
       C:\Users\[YourUserName]\AppData\Local\CapCut\User Data\Projects\com.lveditor.draft\[YourProjectName]

     • Locate the draft_content.json file within your project's folder.
     • Create a new, empty project in CapCut to generate a fresh draft_content.json file.
     • Open both the new and the problematic draft_content.json files using a text editor.
     • Copy the "platform" and "last_modified_platform" sections from the new project's draft_content.json and replace the corresponding sections in the problematic project's file.
     • Save the changes and attempt to reopen your project in CapCut.

     Note: Editing configuration files can be risky. Ensure you back up the original files before making any changes.

5. Restart CapCut and your device:

   • Close and reopen CapCut: Completely close the CapCut application and then restart it.
   • Restart your computer/device: A full restart of your computer or mobile device can often resolve temporary glitches related to file access.

6. Check file permissions:

   • If you're on Windows, right-click the folder where your project file is located, select "Properties," and go to the "Security" tab. Ensure your user account has "Read" and "Write" permissions for this folder.
   • On macOS, select the folder, press Command + I (Get Info), and check the "Sharing & Permissions" section at the bottom. Make sure your user has "Read & Write" privileges.
   • If you change permissions, ensure you apply them to all subfolders and files within the project folder.

7. Import project:

   • Explore CapCut's menus and manually import a project file rather than just opening from a recent list. Once you find the "Import" option, use it and navigate to the location of your project file.

8. Create a new project and save normally:

   • Create a brand new, very simple project in CapCut and save it. Pay attention to where CapCut saves it by default.
   • Close and reopen CapCut and see if you can open this newly created project without any errors. If you can, it suggests the issue is specific to the "unusual path" project, not a general CapCut problem.

9. Reinstall CapCut:

   • If none of the above steps work, and you suspect a deeper software issue, you could try uninstalling and then reinstalling CapCut. This can sometimes resolve problems caused by corrupted installation files. Remember to back up any projects you can access before uninstalling, just in case.

The "unusual path" error is almost always related to where CapCut is trying to find your project file. By systematically checking the file's location, storage, and permissions, and trying to move it to a more standard location, you should be able to resolve this issue and access your CapCut project again.

For a video guide on fixing broken CapCut projects, you might find this tutorial helpful: