Clipchamp Not Working on Windows? 6 Fixes

If Clipchamp is failing on Windows—whether it won’t launch, crashes during export, or shows a black screen—these six fixes resolve the majority of issues. Start with the first fix (checking system requirements) and work your way down; most users find a solution by step three or four.

Why Clipchamp Fails on Windows

Clipchamp is a browser-based and desktop video editor that relies heavily on your system’s graphics hardware, memory, and web platform features. When it stops working, the cause is usually one of three things: an outdated GPU driver, corrupted app cache or installation files, or a conflict with Windows settings like hardware acceleration or storage permissions. Because Clipchamp is built on web technologies (it uses the same rendering engine as Microsoft Edge), it’s sensitive to graphics driver glitches and system updates that change how apps access hardware.

Fix 1: Check System Requirements and Close Heavy Apps

Clipchamp’s minimum requirements are modest—a 64-bit CPU, 4GB of RAM, and Windows 10 version 1903 or later—but editing 4K video or exporting long projects demands more. If you’re running low on memory or have many browser tabs open, Clipchamp may freeze or crash.

• Close other applications, especially browsers, video players, and games.
• Check your free disk space: Clipchamp needs room for temporary project files and exports. Aim for at least 10GB free.
• If your PC has been running for days, restart it to clear memory leaks.

Fix 2: Update Your Graphics Driver

An outdated or corrupted GPU driver is the most common cause of Clipchamp showing a black preview or failing to render. Windows Update often installs basic drivers, but they may not be the latest.

1. Press Win + X and select Device Manager.
2. Expand Display adapters, right-click your GPU (e.g., Intel UHD, NVIDIA GeForce, AMD Radeon), and choose Update driver.
3. Select Search automatically for drivers. If Windows finds none, visit your GPU manufacturer’s website (Intel, NVIDIA, AMD) to download the latest driver for your exact model.
4. Restart your PC after updating.

If you have both integrated and dedicated GPUs (common on laptops), ensure Clipchamp is using the dedicated one. In Windows Settings > System > Display > Graphics, find Clipchamp and set it to High performance.

Fix 3: Clear the Clipchamp Cache and Reset the App

Clipchamp stores temporary files for previews and autosaves. If these become corrupted, the app may hang or fail to open. Clearing them is safe—you won’t lose your projects, but you may need to re-login.

1. Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps (or Apps & features).
2. Find Clipchamp, click the three-dot menu, and choose Advanced options.
3. Click Reset. This clears the app’s cache and data. Confirm if prompted.
4. Relaunch Clipchamp and sign in again.

Alternatively, manually delete the cache folder: press Win + R, type %localappdata%\Packages\Clipchamp.Clipchamp_ybz1nqjr1p816\LocalCache and delete its contents. (The exact folder name may vary slightly by version.)

Fix 4: Disable Hardware Acceleration

Hardware acceleration uses your GPU to speed up rendering, but on some systems—especially with older drivers or certain GPUs—it causes stuttering, black previews, or crashes. Clipchamp lets you turn it off.

1. Open Clipchamp. If it won’t start, skip to Fix 5 to launch it in a browser where you can change settings.
2. Click the gear icon (Settings) in the bottom-left corner.
3. Find the Hardware acceleration toggle and turn it off.
4. Restart Clipchamp.

If you’re using the web version in Edge or Chrome, go to the browser’s settings and disable hardware acceleration there too (Edge: Settings > System and performance > Use hardware acceleration when available).

Fix 5: Repair or Reinstall Clipchamp

If the app’s files are damaged, a repair or reinstall often fixes it without losing your projects (they’re stored in the cloud or on your PC in the Videos folder).

1. Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
2. Click the three-dot menu next to Clipchamp and choose Advanced options.
3. Click Repair. If that doesn’t help, click Uninstall and then reinstall from the Microsoft Store.

Before uninstalling, back up any local projects: copy the %userprofile%\Videos\Clipchamp folder to another drive. Cloud-saved projects (if you have a Microsoft account) are safe.

Fix 6: Run the Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter

Clipchamp is distributed through the Microsoft Store, so Store-related issues can break it. The built-in troubleshooter can detect and fix common problems like corrupted app registration or missing services.

1. Open Settings > System > Troubleshoot (or Update & Security > Troubleshoot on older versions).
2. Select Other troubleshooters.
3. Find Windows Store Apps and click Run.
4. Follow the prompts. If it finds issues, let it apply fixes.

You can also try resetting the Microsoft Store cache: press Win + R, type wsreset.exe, and press Enter. This won’t affect your installed apps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Clipchamp keep crashing when I export?

Export crashes are usually due to insufficient RAM or disk space, or an outdated GPU driver. Close other apps, free up at least 10GB of disk space, and update your graphics driver. Also try exporting in a lower resolution or a different format (e.g., 1080p instead of 4K) to reduce memory load.

Will I lose my projects if I reset Clipchamp?

No. Resetting the app clears cache and local data, but your projects are stored in the cloud (if you’re signed in with a Microsoft account) or in your Videos folder. You may need to sign in again after the reset.

Can I use Clipchamp in a browser instead of the app?

Yes. Clipchamp is available as a web app at clipchamp.com. If the desktop app fails, try the browser version—it often bypasses app-specific issues. You’ll need to sign in with the same Microsoft account to access your projects.

Does Clipchamp work on Windows 11?

Yes, Clipchamp is fully supported on Windows 11 and is often preinstalled. If you’re on Windows 11 and experiencing issues, the same fixes apply, but also check that your system is updated (Settings > Windows Update).

Why is Clipchamp showing a black screen when I import a video?

This is typically a hardware acceleration or GPU driver issue. Disable hardware acceleration in Clipchamp settings, update your graphics driver, and try importing a different video format (e.g., MP4) to rule out codec problems.

Is Clipchamp free?

Clipchamp has a free tier with basic features and watermark-free exports up to 1080p. Premium features like 4K export, advanced filters, and cloud storage require a Microsoft 365 subscription. The fixes above apply to both free and paid versions.

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