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Troubleshooting Davinci Resolve templates

DaVinci Resolve templates can help speed up editing, but sometimes they may not function as expected. Common issues include slow playback, missing assets, or display errors. This article explains frequent problems and provides solutions to restore proper performance.

How to verify software compatibility

If a template doesn't open, fails to load properly, or shows unexpected behavior, the issue may be due to version incompatibility. DaVinci Resolve templates are often version-specific, meaning a template designed for Resolve 18 may not function correctly on Resolve 17 or earlier.

What to verify:

  • Confirm your DaVinci Resolve version by going to Help > About DaVinci Resolve
  • Review the version requirements listed on the template download page
  • Avoid using templates intended for the Studio version if you're using the Free version of DaVinci Resolve.

đź’ˇ Pro Tip: All template compatibilities are listed on the right-hand of a template asset page.

How to fix slow playback or a lagging interface

Templates in DaVinci Resolve, especially those with animations, transitions, or motion graphics, may cause sluggish performance. Particularly when working on lower-powered machines, using high-resolution footage, or applying multiple effects at once.

Solution 1: Use optimized media

Creating optimized media generates lower-resolution proxies for editing, which allows smoother playback without altering your original files.

  1. In the Media Pool, right-click your video clip.
  2. Select Generate Optimized Media.
  3. Resolve will create an internal copy that’s easier for real-time editing.

Note: You can customize proxy formats in Preferences > Media Storage > Optimized Media and Render Cache. For best performance, use formats like ProRes Proxy or DNxHR LB.

Solution 2: Lower the playback resolution

Reducing the timeline preview resolution helps DaVinci Resolve display each frame more quickly, which improves editing responsiveness.

  1. Go to Playback > Timeline Playback resolution.
  2. Choose either Half Resolution or Quarter Resolution.

This does not affect your final export quality and can be toggled on or off as needed.

Solution 3: Enable Smart Render Cache

The Render Cache feature pre-renders complex parts of the timeline to improve real-time playback. When set to “Smart,” Resolve automatically detects and caches effects-heavy segments.

  1. Go to the top menu bar.
  2. Select Playback > Render Cache > Smart.

After enabling, give Resolve time to cache effects. Cached areas will display a blue bar on the timeline.

How to resolve “Media Offline” Errors in DaVinci Resolve Templates

Cause: Broken File Paths

The “Media Offline” error occurs when DaVinci Resolve can’t locate the media files referenced by the template. This usually happens if the files weren’t extracted properly or if they were moved from their original location.

Solution 1: Extract Template Files Before Opening

Always unzip the template package to a folder on your local drive before opening it in DaVinci Resolve. Opening a template directly from a .ZIP archive often causes file path errors.

Solution 2: Manually Relink Missing Files

  1. Open the Media Pool on the Edit page.
  2. Right-click the clip with the red “Media Offline” indicator.
  3. Select Relink Selected Clips.
  4. Navigate to the folder where the missing file is stored.
  5. Click Open to restore the link.

This action updates the file path and resolves the offline status.

How to fix Black Screen issues when using DaVinci Resolve Templates

Cause: Missing or Unsupported Fonts

If the screen remains black when previewing or rendering a template, the issue is often related to fonts not being recognized by Resolve. Instead of displaying an error, Resolve may replace unrecognized fonts with invisible or black placeholders.

Solution: Change the Font in the Fusion Panel

  1. Select the affected text element in the timeline.
  2. Open the Fusion Control Panel.
  3. Change the font to any other installed font.
  4. Check if the text appears. If it does, revert to your desired font.

If the Problem Persists:

  • Check the Fonts folder included in your template download
  • Install all fonts listed in the accompanying Font Info document
  • Restart DaVinci Resolve after installing new fonts

Still need help? Head back to the Help Center.