DaVinci Resolve "Media Offline" Fix (Step-by-Step 2026)
The "Media Offline" red screen in DaVinci Resolve is a common error caused by moved files or disconnected drives. Follow this step-by-step guide to relink your footage instantly.
How do you fix the "Media Offline" error in DaVinci Resolve?
Fix "Media Offline" by selecting the red offline clips in the Media Pool, right-clicking, choosing "Relink Selected Clips," and navigating to the folder on your hard drive where the footage is currently stored.
DaVinci Resolve displays the dreaded red "Media Offline" graphic when it loses the file path connection to your source video files. This usually happens if you rename a folder, move footage to a new hard drive, or disconnect an external SSD. Resolve does not store the actual video files inside the project file; it only stores a reference path. When that path breaks, you must manually point Resolve to the new location. By using the "Relink Selected Clips" function, Resolve will scan the target folder and automatically reconnect all files with matching timecodes and filenames.
What should you do if "Relink Selected Clips" fails to find the media?
If relinking fails, you must use the "Comprehensive Search" option, check for altered file extensions, or use the "Change Source Folder" feature to map the old drive path to the new drive path.
Sometimes, standard relinking fails because the drive letter changed (e.g., from D: to E: on Windows) or the folder structure is exceptionally deep. In these cases, right-click the offline clips and select "Change Source Folder." This allows you to tell Resolve: "Any file that used to be in /DriveA/Footage is now in /DriveB/Footage." Additionally, ensure that another program hasn't altered the file extensions (e.g., changing .MP4 to .mp4), as Resolve’s relink engine can be case-sensitive depending on your operating system.
How do you ensure clients never see offline media during reviews?
To ensure clients see a flawless final product, render the fully linked timeline and upload the master file to Cutsio for secure, high-fidelity client presentation.
"Media Offline" is an internal post-production error that a client should never see. Once you have successfully relinked your media, completed your color grade, and rendered the final export, you need a bulletproof delivery method. Cutsio provides exactly that. By uploading your final video to Cutsio, you guarantee frictionless playback in a white-labeled environment. You can track when the client views the link and use dedicated approval gates, ensuring a professional handoff completely free of technical glitches.
FAQ
Why is only the audio offline but the video is fine?
If only audio is offline, it means the original video file was overwritten with a version that lacks an audio track, or the audio was unlinked and moved separately.
Can DaVinci Resolve automatically relink media on startup?
Yes, if the drive containing the media is connected and the file paths haven't changed, Resolve automatically links the media upon opening the project.
What causes media offline frames randomly during playback?
Random offline frames during playback usually indicate a failing hard drive, a slow USB connection, or corrupted cache files. Try deleting your Render Cache.