DaVinci Resolve’s Media Offline message can mean missing source paths, unavailable proxies or media the current system cannot decode. Locate the actual source and check the project/version before changing or replacing clips.
Quick answer: missing paths vs unreadable codecs
| Observed problem | Check |
|---|---|
| Folder moved or renamed | Locate the exact original and relink the affected Media Pool clips. |
| External/network drive disconnected | Reconnect it and confirm the files are accessible. |
| Proxy/original mode changes the result | Inspect both paths and proxy status; proxy playback does not prove originals are available for delivery. |
| Source exists but remains unreadable | Check encoding, OS, Resolve version and Free/Studio codec support before converting a copy. |
The same warning can have more than one cause. Do not substitute unrelated footage just because its filename matches.
Record version and preserve project database
Record the Resolve version, operating system and Free/Studio edition. Save the project and export a project backup where possible before relinking.
A project file stores edit instructions; it is not by itself a copy of all source footage. Retain original camera/media files and verify the contents of any archive rather than assuming missing media was included. Make conversion/replacement tests in a copied project.
Find the actual source media files
The Resolve 20 reference manual, “Relinking Media Simply”, explains how clips point to source media. Reconnect the storage volume, inspect the original path and locate any moved folder. Confirm cloud files have downloaded rather than relying on placeholders.
Inspect an affected original before relinking: check its shot, duration and audio. A matching name is useful but insufficient when a folder contains several camera-card copies.
Documented relink workflow
The manual documents selecting the affected clips in the Media Pool, opening their context menu and choosing Relink Selected Clips. Choose the directory containing the matching originals and confirm the search.
The Relink Media icon is a separate route that shows missing volumes and offers location/search controls; it is not a “select all offline clips” button. Change Source Folder is another path-change operation, not a synonym for every relink dialog.
These are documented Resolve 20 controls, not a project test performed for this article. Review every restored clip’s identity and edit boundaries afterward.
Original media vs proxy files
Resolve 20’s manual distinguishes original paths from proxy links. Inspect Proxy and Proxy Media Path in the Media Pool list when proxy availability is in question. Link Proxy Media selects a proxy file/directory; Unlink Proxy Media removes its link without deleting that file.
Check Playback → Proxy Handling and test which available source is playing. Final delivery normally uses originals unless its proxy-use option is enabled, so successful proxy playback alone does not prove a final render has its source media. See the manual’s proxy section.
Codec restrictions in DaVinci Resolve Free
If the exact source is available but does not decode, inspect its codec, bit depth and chroma format. Support varies with operating system, version and edition; “HEVC” alone is not enough to diagnose incompatibility.
Use Blackmagic’s current support center and supported-codec documentation for your version. If conversion is appropriate, make a compatible copy and compare color, audio, duration and edit positions in a copied project. Do not overwrite the camera original or assume a paid upgrade fixes every offline warning.
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Playback review pass
Once relinking completes and red banners disappear:
- Scrub through your timeline to verify correct shot cuts, clip start/end boundaries, and color grade node applications.
- Confirm audio tracks play synchronized with video footage.
- Perform a test render of a short timeline segment to verify export stability.
Frequently asked questions
Will relinking media delete my color grades or timeline edits?
Relinking is intended to restore the source reference while keeping the project edit. Back up first and inspect the result: choosing the wrong file or a differently timed conversion can change what appears at existing edit points.
What if my external hard drive letter changed on Windows?
If Windows reassigned your external drive letter (e.g. from D: to E:), click the Relink Media button in the Media Pool and select the new drive letter folder.
Related reading
- For exporting subtitles in Resolve: see How to Export Subtitles in DaVinci Resolve.
- For editing screen recordings: see How to Edit Screen Recordings.
- For export guidelines: see Export Your Video in Cubix.
Optional Cubix workflow
For a separate edit in Cubix, start with your original footage. Upload the source media, make the intended changes and inspect the exported video. See Cubix export instructions for that workflow.
The editor entry opens Home. It does not transfer a third-party project or automatically upload/import the reader’s files.
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