Another common cause is the use of unsupported formats or codecs such as 10-bit H.265 (HEVC) or AV1. These require DaVinci Resolve Studio for proper hardware decoding and are not supported in the free version. When these files are imported, they may fail to load, triggering the Media Offline error. A less obvious reason is corrupted render cache. If timeline caching is enabled and the cache becomes damaged or invalid, it can lead to playback issues or missing previews upon reopening the project. If you frequently work with 10-bit, AV1, BRAW, or similar formats, consider upgrading to DaVinci Resolve Studio. Also, ensure your CPU, GPU, and RAM meet the official system requirements to avoid performance and compatibility issues.
1. Relink or Replace Missing Clip
DaVinci Resolve tracks the exact path and file name of every imported clip. If the file has been renamed, moved, or is located on a disconnected drive, Resolve will mark it as missing. To resolve this, you can relink the media to its new location or replace it with a backup copy that matches the original format and duration. To prevent relinking issues in future projects, maintain a consistent folder structure and avoid renaming or moving files after importing them into Resolve.
2. Create a New Timeline
Timeline corruption in DaVinci Resolve can occur due to crashes, plugin conflicts, or corrupted cache metadata. These issues may result in offline clips or playback failures. Creating a new timeline helps re-establish media links by generating fresh timeline metadata. Decomposing reinserts the original media clips into the timeline. However, complex elements like compound clips, fusion effects, or nested timelines may not be preserved. Always duplicate your timeline before using this feature.
3. Toggle Hardware Acceleration
DaVinci Resolve uses GPU-based hardware acceleration to decode H.264 and H.265 formats. If the decoder becomes unresponsive due to driver or GPU conflicts, it can cause playback or media loading failures. Toggling this setting resets the decoder and may resolve such issues.
4. Set Render Cache to None
The render cache in DaVinci Resolve stores temporary files to enhance playback. However, if this cache becomes corrupted, it can disrupt media references and result in the Media Offline error. Disabling the cache forces Resolve to load data directly from the original files.
Optional: Transcode Footage to Optimized Media
If your footage uses high-compression formats (like 10-bit HEVC), converting it into optimized media can reduce strain on your hardware and improve playback reliability. Note: This process requires disk space and may take time depending on file size, but it’s particularly useful for large or complex formats.
