Adobe Premiere Pro is a powerful video editing software that is always a cut above the competition. However, the most common issue that users face while using this software is the Premiere Pro playback slow motion. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to diagnose and resolve the issue. In this guide, we will explore the methods to troubleshoot the same.
How to Fix Premiere Pro Playback Slow Motion
Experiencing video playback slowdown, audio-video desync, or blackout issues with newly recorded or edited videos can result from either hardware or software problems. To know about the causes in detail and fix them, please read the guide till the end.
Quick Answer
Address slow motion problems in Premiere Pro by following these steps to reduce playback resolution:
1. In Premiere Pro, open the Settings tab.
2. Click on Dynamic Quality from the left panel.
3. Select Half or Quarter to reduce the playback resolution to half or a quarter of the original size.
Why Does Premiere Pro Playback Run in Slow Motion?
The lagging issue in Premiere Pro can be caused by several factors such as:
- System Hardware
- Issues with Project Settings
- Media File Issues
- High-Quality Playback
- GPU Acceleration
- Incompatible Hardware
To troubleshoot Premiere Pro playback slow motion, check out the following methods:
Method 1: Basic Troubleshooting Methods
First, start with some basic troubleshooting methods to get the slow-motion issues fixed:
1A. Restart Computer
Restarting your computer is a potential solution for fixing playback issues in Premiere Pro. This process clears out any temporary files that might be causing conflicts. Additionally, it refreshes any drivers or applications that might be causing playback issues. It is best to restart your computer after making any changes to the system.
1B. Update video card driver
Outdated video card drivers can cause conflicts resulting in Premiere Pro playback issues. To update your video card driver, go to the manufacturer’s website and download the latest driver for your video card. After downloading the driver, simply install it, restart your computer, and then open Premiere Pro to check if the playback issues have been fixed.
Method 2: Clear Media Cache Files
You can simply fix the issue by clearing media cache files of Premiere Pro. Here is how:
1. Open the Adobe Premiere Pro app, click on the Edit tab, and select Preferences.
2. Find and click on Media Cache.
3. Click Delete next to Remove Media Cache Files.
4. Choose either Delete all media cache files or delete unused media cache files and click OK.
Close and reopen Adobe Premiere Pro to check if the issue is fixed.
Method 3: Drop Playback Resolution
In Premiere, Pro Drop Playback Resolution is a feature that can help improve the slow playback performance by reducing the video playback quality in real time while editing. By lowering the playback resolution, the computer’s processor can keep up with the demands of playback and reduce the likelihood of stuttering or slow playback. To use this feature:
1. In Premiere Pro, open the Settings tab.
2. Click on Dynamic Quality from the left panel.
3. Select Half or Quarter to reduce the playback resolution to half or a quarter of the original size.
This should also improve the Premiere Pro audio playback problem, and at the same time allow you to edit your video more smoothly.
Note: Keep in mind that the actual quality of the exported video will not be affected by this setting.
Also Read: How to Fix Premiere Pro Playback Resolution Greyed Out
Method 4: Turn Off High-Quality Playback
The High-Quality Playback setting in Premiere Pro affects the performance of video playback during editing. Turning off this setting can help resolve slow playback performance by reducing the load on the computer’s processor. To turn off High-Quality Playback, please refer to our guide on How to Change Playback Resolution in Premiere Pro.
Method 5: Reserve RAM
By designating a certain portion of the computer’s RAM for use by Premiere Pro alone, the reserved RAM feature can assist in speeding up slow playback. This makes it possible to make sure the software has access to adequate resources to conduct video playing without interfering with other programs running on the computer. To reserve RAM in Premiere Pro:
1. Go to the Preferences tab and select Memory.
2. Under the Memory section, increase the RAM reserved for other applications value.
The more RAM you reserve for Premiere Pro, the more resources the program will have available for playback.
Note: Reserving too much RAM for Premiere Pro may limit the resources available to other programs, causing them to run slower. It is recommended to experiment with different values and find the best balance for your specific computer setup.
Method 6: Turn on GPU Acceleration
GPU acceleration in Premiere Pro can cause slow playback performance if the computer’s graphics processing unit (GPU) is not powerful enough to handle the demands of video processing. In this case, Premiere Pro may be overloading the GPU and causing slow or stuttering playback. To resolve this issue:
1. Go to the program’s Project Settings.
2. Select the General tab.
3. Under the Video Rendering and Playback section, choose GPU Acceleration as the Renderer.
Note: All computers have a compatible GPU for Premiere Pro, and using GPU acceleration may not be necessary or even possible in some cases. Additionally, using GPU acceleration may require a dedicated graphics card with a high amount of VRAM.
Also Read: Fix Premiere Pro There Was an Error Decompressing Audio or Video
Method 7: Create Proxy Files
Not creating proxy files in Premiere Pro can be a reason for slow playback performance. When working with high-resolution videos, the demands on the computer’s processing power can be significant, causing slow or stuttering playback. In such cases, creating proxy files can help resolve the issue by reducing the demands on the computer’s processing power. To create proxy files in Premiere Pro, follow these steps:
1. In the Clip tab, select the clips in the Project panel that you want to create proxies for.
2. Right-click the selected clips and select Create Proxies.
3. In the Create Proxies window, select a location to save the proxy files and choose a proxy format.
Start the proxy creation process. Once the proxy files are created, Premiere Pro will automatically use the low-resolution proxy files for playback, freeing up the computer’s processing power and allowing for smoother video playback.
Method 8: Use Global FX Switch
The Global FX Switch allows you to temporarily disable all effects applied to a clip in your timeline. This can help resolve slow playback performance when the demands of processing the effects are causing your computer to struggle. To turn on the Global FX Switch:
1. Right-click on the clip in the timeline and select Global FX Mute.
2. In case the FX button is not available in the toolbar, click the + button and drag it to the toolbar.
This will temporarily disable all effects applied to the clip, allowing you to preview the video without the effects applied.
Method 9: Close Lumetri Scopes
Lumetri scopes provide detailed information about the color and luminance of a clip in your timeline. However, they can consume significant processing power, especially when working with high-resolution video files.
1. Go to the Window menu and click Lumetri Scopes.
2. Now, click Close Panel before you play back your footage.
Method 10: Prevent Overheating
Overheating can cause Premiere Pro to perform slowly, as well as other issues such as system crashes and hardware damage. When a computer overheats, its processing power is reduced to prevent further system damage. Preventing overheating can help resolve slow playback performance in Premiere Pro.
To prevent overheating and ensure smooth playback performance in Premiere Pro, it is recommended to:
1. Keep the computer in a well-ventilated area, away from heat sources and direct sunlight.
2. Clean the computer’s internal components, including the fans and heat sink, to remove any dust or debris that may be blocking airflow.
3. Make sure the computer is on a stable surface and not blocking any of its vents or fans.
4. Use a cooling pad or fan to improve airflow and reduce heat buildup in the computer.
Method 11: Use SSD
Slow hard drives can be a major factor behind slow-motion playback in Adobe Premiere Pro. If the hard drive’s read and write speeds are not up to par, the program may take longer to render previews, which could cause slow-motion playback. Additionally, hard drive space can also be a contributing factor.
It is recommended to use a fast drive such as an SSD (Solid State Drive) to store the video files and the software program (Premiere Pro). An SSD has faster read and write speeds compared to traditional HDDs (Hard Disk Drives), allowing for smoother playback performance.
Method 12: Render Everything
Just Render Everything (JRE) is a popular workaround that can help fix slow motion playback in Adobe Premiere Pro. This involves rendering previews of each clip in the timeline and then playing back the timeline with all of the rendered previews. This can help reduce playback issues and glitches. To render everything in Premiere Pro:
1. First, set in and out points for the preview video.
2. Now, select the Sequence menu in the software.
3. Then, select Render in to out.
This will render the entire project, allowing the computer to play back the video smoothly.
If you are having problems with any of your Premiere Pro videos, you can try the troubleshooting methods listed above. We hope we were able to assist you with Premiere Pro playback slow-motion fixes. Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.
