Download

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Last updated: 1 Oct 2026 4 min read

Most problems in an edit come down to a handful of causes: media that isn't where Lightworks expects, a setting that doesn't match the material, or a system under strain. This article collects the common symptoms and points to the fix.

Media problems

  • Clips show as offline - the source files have moved, been renamed, or their drive isn't connected. Reconnect the drive or relink the media (see Media management).
  • Import fails or a file won't play - the format may need conversion; some formats are automatically converted on import. Check the file plays outside Lightworks, then see Importing media.
  • Audio drifts out of sync on phone footage - classic variable frame rate. Enable Apply VFR correction in the project's video settings (see Media formats and technical settings).

 

Playback problems

  • Stuttering playback - work through the triage in Performance optimisation: proxies for heavy media, background tasks, disk space, GPU precision.
  • Black viewer but audio plays - check the track monitoring buttons in the track headers; a hidden or unmonitored video track is the usual cause (see Sequences and timelines).
  • No sound - check track mutes and solos in the mixer, then the audio output device in Settings (see The audio mixer).

 

Editing surprises

  • A keyboard edit affects the wrong tracks - check which tracks are enabled in the track headers. Track state decides where a keyboard, console or menu edit lands. A mouse edit is different: clicking a clip or a cut point names its own subject, so track state has no say (see Trimming).
  • Picture and sound out of step after editing - you've moved one without the other. Switch Clip Link on so they travel together, leave Track Sync on so trims and inserts hold the other tracks in step, and watch the timeline's sync indicators to fix any offset (see Editing audio in the timeline).
  • Picture and sound don't move together - they may not be linked. Material laid in together is linked automatically, but a clip that was split leaves its second half unlinked, and material brought in separately was never linked at all. Select both and use Link (see Selecting and moving material).
  • Only some tracks moved - the amber Track Sync strips in the track headers show which tracks are being held in sync; with Track Sync off, only the tracks you enabled move.
  • A gap won't close - Delete gap across all tracks is greyed out because another track has material across the gap, so closing it would drag that track out of step. To take the black out on that one track, use Delete black segment instead (see Basic editing).
  • A track won't let me do anything - it's locked. A locked track takes no edit, no trim and no cut, and its levels and fades can't be dragged either. Unlock it in the track header (see Sequences and timelines).
  • A transition won't go in - there isn't enough spare material either side of the cut (see Video transitions and fades).
  • Something unexpected happened - undo is deep; step back with Ctrl/Cmd+Z and try again (see Basic editing).

 

Export problems

 

Application problems

  • Lightworks closed unexpectedly - on the next launch you may be offered the chance to upload logs for analysis; sequences are saved continuously, so your work is preserved. Restart and reopen the project.
  • A project won't open, or opens somewhere unhelpful - hold Shift while starting Lightworks to go straight to the Project Browser instead of reopening the last project.
  • A licence feature seems missing - check the Settings menu's licence information to confirm what your plan includes (see Application preferences).

 

When to reach for help

If a problem persists, capture the details - what you did, what happened, the media format involved - and ask on the Lightworks forum, or raise a support ticket through the user portal. The version number and system information from the Settings menu help enormously.

Tip: The vast majority of "Lightworks is broken" moments are a hidden track, an untargeted track, or offline media. Check those three before anything else.