Export fails or is unexpectedly slow

An export can fail or become unexpectedly slow during source decoding, frame processing, audio processing, plugin execution or final FFmpeg encoding.

Diagnose the problem

1. Press F8 and inspect Debug Log for the most recent handled exception.
2. Press F7 and inspect Render Profiler when the issue is performance rather than a hard failure.
3. Compare decode, plugin, conversion, compositing and encoder timings.
4. If a forced hardware encoder fails, switch the encoder to Auto and retry.
5. Temporarily disable suspect Track or Master effects and test again.
6. Confirm that every referenced source file still exists and can be decoded.

Tip: A low encoder time combined with high plugin or compositing time means changing GPU encoders is unlikely to fix the main bottleneck.

Common causes

• Missing or damaged source media.
• An unavailable forced hardware encoder.
• Expensive full-resolution effects or generators.
• A third-party plugin exception.
• Heavy source decoding before effects are even applied.