If you’ve opened CapCut to edit a video and suddenly see a black screen instead of your video, you’re not alone. Many users report this issue on Android, iPhone, and PC, and it can happen during editing, preview, or after importing clips.
A black screen in CapCut can make your video editing impossible — leaving users frustrated and stuck.
This guide explains all the reasons why CapCut shows a black screen and provides 15 proven fixes that solve the problem permanently.
⭐ Why CapCut Shows a Black Screen
CapCut may display a black screen due to several reasons:
- Corrupted or unsupported video file
- Wrong canvas aspect ratio
- Video resolution or codec not compatible
- Heavy project with too many layers
- Hardware acceleration or device limitations
- Overlay layer conflicts
- Old CapCut version bug
- Export/render settings mismatch
- Low device RAM
- App cache overload
- Template restrictions
Let’s solve these problems step by step.
✅ Fix 1: Check Video File Compatibility
CapCut mod apk works best with:
- MP4 (H.264 codec)
- MOV
Unsupported formats like MKV, WEBM, HEVC (iPhone) or corrupted files often appear as black screens.
Steps:
- Convert video to MP4 / H.264
- Import into CapCut
- Preview the video
This solves most black screen issues.
✅ Fix 2: Adjust Canvas Aspect Ratio
If your video’s aspect ratio doesn’t match the canvas:
- Horizontal video in vertical 9:16 canvas → black bars or black screen
- 16:9 in 1:1 → part of video not visible
Fix:
- Tap Canvas
- Choose the correct ratio for your video:
- TikTok/Reels: 9:16
- YouTube: 16:9
- Instagram: 1:1
Black screen caused by mismatch will disappear.
✅ Fix 3: Clear CapCut Cache
Cache corruption can make videos appear black:
Android:
Settings → Apps → CapCut → Storage → Clear Cache
iPhone:
Uninstall → Reinstall (cache is cleared automatically)
✅ Fix 4: Update CapCut
Older versions have known black screen bugs, especially with newer codecs or long videos.
- Update CapCut pro apk via Play Store, App Store, or CapCut Web
- Restart the app and try again
✅ Fix 5: Disable Hardware Acceleration
Hardware acceleration sometimes conflicts with device GPU and causes black preview.
Fix:
- Go to Settings → Export / Render Settings
- Turn off Hardware Acceleration
- Preview video again
✅ Fix 6: Check Overlay Layers
If black screen occurs only in part of the video:
- Overlay layers (stickers, text, effects) may block main video
- Effects like 3D Zoom, blur, or AI background removal may glitch
Fix:
- Hide overlay layers temporarily
- Preview video
- Re-enable overlays after confirming main clip works
✅ Fix 7: Lower Video Resolution or Convert Clips
High-resolution videos (4K, 8K) may fail to preview on mobile devices due to RAM limitations.
Fix:
- Convert video to 1080p
- Reduce FPS to 30 or 60
- Import again
This makes CapCut display the video without black screen.
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✅ Fix 8: Split Long Clips
Extremely long clips can cause black screen in timeline preview.
Fix:
- Split video into smaller segments
- Apply edits and transitions
- Merge clips if needed
✅ Fix 9: Restart Device
Low RAM or GPU overload can cause CapCut to fail rendering.
Fix:
- Close all background apps
- Restart your phone or PC
- Open CapCut and preview video again
✅ Fix 10: Use CapCut Web
CapCut Web handles heavier projects better than older phones.
- Open CapCut Web on Chrome/Edge
- Import project
- Preview and export video
This is especially useful for black screen issues caused by low-end devices.
✅ Fix 11: Check File Location
Videos stored in:
- SD card
- Restricted folders
- Cloud storage (OneDrive, iCloud)
…may cause CapCut to show black screen.
Fix:
- Move videos to Internal Storage → DCIM or Movies
- Import from there
✅ Fix 12: Re-import the Video
Sometimes CapCut fails to load videos properly.
Fix:
- Delete clip from timeline
- Re-import fresh copy
- Preview
✅ Fix 13: Avoid Templates That Restrict Clips
Some CapCut templates:
- Lock video layers
- Prevent certain formats
- Cause black screen in timeline
Fix:
- Use a blank project
- Add text, clips, and effects manually
✅ Fix 14: Check Export Settings
Black screen may occur only in exported video, not preview:
- Mismatched resolution
- Unsupported codec
- Hardware acceleration
Fix:
- Match export resolution with project
- Turn off hardware acceleration
- Use MP4 / H.264 codec
- Export again
✅ Fix 15: Reinstall CapCut
If all else fails:
- Backup project drafts
- Uninstall CapCut
- Install latest version of Capcut mod apk
- Import project again
This removes corrupted app files causing black screen.
⭐ Tips to Avoid Black Screen in CapCut
- Always use MP4 / H.264
- Match project canvas with video
- Avoid extreme resolutions on mobile devices
- Keep RAM free by closing background apps
- Use CapCut Web for large projects
- Apply transitions/effects after confirming video loads
- Update CapCut regularly
📌 FAQ: CapCut Black Screen
1. Why does CapCut show black screen only in preview?
- Usually hardware acceleration or overlay effects conflict.
2. Why is the black screen only in exported video?
- Export settings mismatch (resolution/FPS/codec).
3. Does SD card storage cause black screen?
- Yes, move clips to internal storage.
4. Can templates cause black screen?
- Yes, blank projects are safer.




