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Clipchamp only finding about 20 files

hcl 0 Reputation points
2026-04-04T18:14:20.6033333+00:00

Ive had this problem for about 3 months but now it's really annoying me. I have A LOT of videos and for a long time I had been working on these 2 projects, then I forgot about them and now I'm going back to them. Now I cant cause clipchamp only sees the 20 most recent videos and that's it.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Clipchamp | For home
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  1. Katerina-N 9,090 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-04-05T22:51:16.4866667+00:00

    Hello hcl,

    I’m really sorry you’re running into this, especially after coming back to your projects and not seeing most of your videos. I’ll walk you through what’s happening and how to fix it step by step.

    From what you described, Clipchamp isn’t deleting your videos. It just can’t find them anymore. With personal/home accounts, Clipchamp:

    • Saves your project data (timeline, edits, file names)
    • But does not store your original media files unless backup is enabled
    • Instead, it relies on temporary cached files, which usually only keep recently used videos 

    Over time (like after a few months), that cache gets cleared or reduced. That’s why you’re now only seeing around 20 recent videos — those are likely the only ones still available locally. Your other videos are still fine, but Clipchamp needs you to reconnect them from where they were originally saved.

    Here is how to fix it:

    Option 1: Relink missing files (recommended) 

    1. Open your project in Clipchamp
    2. Look for a message like “Missing file” or “Locate asset”
    3. Click Locate asset 
    4. Choose Locate folder (this is faster if multiple files are missing) 
    5. Navigate to the folder where your original videos are stored
    6. Select the folder and allow Clipchamp to reconnect the files 

    If some files are still missing, you can repeat the process for those individually. Helpful official background (explains the “project data vs. media files” behavior): How Clipchamp stores and processes media files in editing projects

    Option 2: If you don’t see “Locate asset”

    This usually means Clipchamp only has access to recent cached files right now. You can:

    1. Open File Explorer (Windows) / Finder (Mac)  
    2. Find your original video files (check Videos, Downloads, external drives, etc.)
    3. Go back to Clipchamp
    4. Click Import media
    5. Upload those files again into your project

    If the project or clips won’t load, please try the following:

    1. Refresh the editor (Ctrl + F5)
    2. Disable any browser extensions (if using Clipchamp in a browser)
    3. Sign out > clear cache > restart the app/browser

    (only do this if you still have the original files saved)

    Official troubleshooting reference: What to do if your Clipchamp project or assets aren’t loading

    Important note: Clipchamp projects depend on your original files. If those files were moved, renamed, or deleted, the project won’t be able to find them automatically you’ll need to relink them.

    Prevent this going forward (so old projects reopen cleanly)

    If you’re not sure where your original files are stored (same PC, external drive, another device, etc.), feel free to let me know. I’ll help you track them down and get your project back on track.

    I hope this will help with your situation. Please feel free to reach back if you have further update or more questions.

    Best Regards,

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  2. AI answer

    2026-04-04T18:14:35.0366667+00:00

    Clipchamp for personal accounts does not upload or centrally store all media files by default. It relies on:

    • Temporary copies of media in the browser cache or temp folder, and
    • The original files on the computer (unless content backup is enabled).

    If only ~20 recent videos are visible when reopening old projects, the most likely causes are:

    1. The browser cache/temp working files for older media have been cleared (for example, due to low disk space or memory).
    2. The original source files for the older clips are no longer in their original locations, or have been deleted/moved.

    To continue editing those projects:

    1. Locate the original media files on the computer or external storage:
      • Search the usual folders where videos were stored (e.g., Videos, Downloads, external drives).
      • If files were deleted recently, check the operating system’s Recycle Bin and restore them if available.
    2. When Clipchamp asks to “locate” files, browse to the folder where the original videos are stored and select the correct files so Clipchamp can relink them.
    3. If the original files were recorded with Clipchamp (webcam/screen):
      • Check the browser’s default Downloads folder for the original WebM recordings that are saved when selecting Save and edit.
    4. If the videos came from a phone:
      • Check the phone’s gallery and its Recently Deleted folder for copies that can be re‑transferred.

    If the original media files are no longer available anywhere (not on the PC, not in Recycle Bin, not on the phone, and content backup was not enabled), those clips cannot be recovered and Clipchamp will not be able to load more than whatever media it still has access to.

    To avoid this in the future with Clipchamp personal:

    • Enable content backup in projects (if available in the plan) so media is backed up to the cloud and can be reliably reloaded.
    • Keep backup copies of all original media on the computer, an external drive, or online storage.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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