- Quick fixes to try first
- Fixes by device
- The catch: a stuck export at 99% usually isn't a rendering problem
- If CapCut won't open or keeps crashing
- If exports fail on long videos
- Prevent CapCut problems in the first place
- When to contact CapCut support
- Save your work before you troubleshoot
- My verdict
- Frequently asked questions
If CapCut isn't working, first update the app and restart it, then check you have enough free storage, because low space is behind many crashes and failed exports. Close other apps, lower the export resolution or frame rate, and on Android clear CapCut's cache. If an export sticks at 99%, change the save location or remove a damaged clip.
CapCut is brilliant until the day it won't open, freezes on export or crashes halfway through your edit, usually right before you need to post. Most CapCut problems come down to a handful of causes, and CapCut's own help pages point to the same fixes again and again. Work through them in this order.
Quick fixes to try first
- Update CapCut from the App Store, Google Play or the desktop app.
- Restart CapCut, and if that fails, restart your phone or computer.
- Free up storage. Delete old exports, unused apps and big files.
- Close other apps that are using memory.
- Check your internet if you're using CapCut Online or cloud features.
- Lower the export resolution or frame rate if exporting is the problem.
Fixes by device
| Where you edit | What usually causes problems | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone | Low storage, old app version | Settings, General, iPhone Storage to free space; lower export quality; reinstall CapCut |
| Android | Low storage, a clogged cache | Settings, Storage to free space; Settings, Apps, CapCut, Storage, Clear Cache |
| Windows or Mac | Big high-resolution projects, background programs, low disk space | Close other programs, free disk space, lower export settings, update |
| CapCut Online | Browser cache, outdated browser, unstable connection | Clear the cache, update the browser, use a wired connection, export in segments |
The catch: a stuck export at 99% usually isn't a rendering problem
This is the one that drives people mad. Your progress bar crawls to 99% and stops. CapCut's help centre explains that in most cases the video has already finished rendering, but the app can't save the final file. The usual culprits are low storage, a corrupted clip in the project or permission settings that block CapCut from writing to the folder.
- On a computer: free up disk space and change the export location to a different folder.
- On a phone: free up storage and check CapCut has permission to save to your photos or files.
- In the browser: check your browser allows downloads from CapCut, or try a different browser.
- Anywhere: remove or replace any clip that looks odd or won't play in the timeline.
So before you re-edit the whole project, try saving somewhere else. It fixes this surprisingly often.
If CapCut won't open or keeps crashing
- Update to the latest version, because older versions can stop working with newer phones and operating systems.
- Restart your device to clear memory.
- On Android, clear the cache; on iPhone, delete and reinstall the app (back up any drafts first).
- On a computer, check it meets CapCut's requirements. For Windows, CapCut lists Windows 10 or above, an Intel Core i3 or above, 4 GB of RAM and 2 GB of free storage as the minimum.
If exports fail on long videos
Long, high-resolution projects push CapCut hardest. CapCut suggests exporting long videos in smaller segments and combining them afterwards when you're using the online editor, and lowering the resolution or frame rate on any device. For social media, exporting at a sensible resolution instead of the maximum is usually invisible to viewers anyway.
Prevent CapCut problems in the first place
- Keep a good chunk of free storage on your phone before big edits.
- Split long projects into shorter ones.
- Keep CapCut updated, but don't update in the middle of a deadline project.
- Back up important drafts or export a rough version as you go.
- Avoid importing damaged or unusual file formats.
If you edit a lot of short videos for TikTok, my guide to what TikTok Studio is used for covers another way to manage your content.
When to contact CapCut support
If you've updated, restarted, freed up storage, changed the export location and removed suspect clips and it's still not working, CapCut's help centre suggests contacting its support team. Tell them your device, operating system, CapCut version and exactly where it fails, such as the percentage an export stops at.
Save your work before you troubleshoot
Before you reinstall the app or clear its cache, protect your project. On a phone, check whether your drafts are backed up to your CapCut account, and if they're not, export a rough version of anything important so you've got something to fall back on. On a computer, note where your project folder lives and copy it somewhere safe. Clearing data or reinstalling is usually harmless, but it's the one step where an unlucky person can lose a half-finished edit. Five minutes of backing up means you can try every fix without worrying.
It also helps to note exactly when the problem happens, such as on opening, when adding a particular clip or at a specific export percentage. That detail makes it far quicker to spot the cause, whether you're fixing it yourself or asking CapCut's support team for help.
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My verdict
Most CapCut problems are fixed by updating, restarting and freeing up storage. If an export sticks at 99%, it's almost always a saving problem, so change the location or remove a damaged clip before you start again. Keep projects lean and your device tidy, and CapCut stays reliable. If you're weighing up other editors, my roundup of screen recording software includes some with built-in editing.
Frequently asked questions
Why is CapCut not working on my phone?
It's often low storage or an outdated version. Update CapCut, restart your phone and free up space.
Why is my CapCut export stuck at 99%?
The video has usually rendered but can't be saved, often due to low storage, a corrupted clip or permissions. Free up space or change the save location.
How do I clear CapCut's cache on Android?
Go to Settings, Apps, CapCut, Storage and tap Clear Cache.
Why does CapCut keep crashing on my computer?
Large projects and background programs can overload it. Close other apps, free disk space and update CapCut.
What are CapCut's minimum requirements on Windows?
CapCut lists Windows 10 or above, Intel Core i3 or above, 4 GB RAM and 2 GB of free storage.
Is CapCut down?
If CapCut Online won't load, check your connection, clear your browser cache and try another browser before assuming an outage.
