How to Fix DaVinci Resolve Not Importing Media?

DaVinci Resolve is a professional video editing program that allows users to create and edit videos. However, during the usage, some users may encounter some issues like DaVinci Resolve import media not working. Not just the incompatible formats/codecs can cause the issue, other reasons can also lead to this problem. So this post is here to show why you can’t import media to DaVinci Resolve and provide the solutions to fix it.

If you encounter the DaVinci Resolve not importing media issue, the following are the possible causes.

Reason 1. Incorrect Way to Import Media

As stated previously, DaVinci Resolve is a professional video editing program and there are many different ways of importing media into DaVinci Resolve. If you’re unfamiliar with this program, you may import media in the wrong way. Then you will face the media not importing issue.

Reason 2. Filename with Invalid Characters

When the video you want to import into DaVinci Resolve is downloaded from social media or video hosting websites that contain some emojis, special characters, etc., then you will fail to import the media file. So check the filename of the media file you are trying to import.

Reason 3. The File Format/Codec is Not Supported

If your files are able to play in other programs, then it may be the unsupported file format/codec for DaVinci Resolve. Although DaVinci Resolve supports a wide range of file formats and codecs, some file formats and codecs are still not supported in it, even MP4 files are not all supported. So you need to check whether the file format and video/audio codecs are compatible with DaVinci Resolve. If not, then you fail to import files into DaVinci Resolve.

Here is a link for the “DaVinci Resolve 18 supported file formats and codecs” document. You can refer to it to check the DaVinci Resolve supported file formats.

Reason 4. The Video Has a Variable Frame Rate

In addition to the unsupported file format/codec, this is also a common problem for DaVinci Resolve import media not working. DaVinci Resolve cannot deal with variable frame rates video. So if your files have variable frame rates, then you cannot import media into DaVinci Resolve. You can check if the frame rate is variable with MediaInfo – a great tool to check all sorts of media information for your video and audio files. So you can also use it to check the video format and audio/video codec.

Reason 5. The Media File is Corrupted

One of the most possible reasons for DaVinci Resolve won’t import media is that your media files are corrupted. So if you encounter the media not importing issue, you can check your files first by playing it with other programs. If the files don’t play, they could be corrupted. You can search for some data-repairing tools online to fix the corrupted files.

Reason 6. The MP4 File is Too Large

Another possible reason why your media file cannot be loaded into DaVinci Resolve is that the file size is too large for DaVinci Resolve, especially on some low-end PCs. You could try compressing the video with video compression software to make it smaller.

Reason 7. The Outdated Version of DaVinci Resolve

Updating is always needed to fix bugs and errors for various software, including DaVinci Resolve. And in some cases, an outdated version of DaVinci Resolve can also cause the file not importing issue. So if your DaVinci Resolve is still an old version, try to update it to the latest version.

After knowing the possible reasons for DaVinci Resolve can’t import media, this part shares some handy fixes to help you solve the issue.

Solution 1. Import Media to DaVinci Resolve in the Correct Way

For users who are unfamiliar with DaVinci Resolve, you may encounter the file not importing issue if you import files in the wrong way.

The easiest and most traditional way to import media files to any editing software is to directly drag and drop the files into the program. Just drag the media file from your system folder and drop it inside the “Media Pool” or the timeline in DaVinci Resolve.

You can also go to the “File” > “Import file” > “Import Media” steps or press “Ctrl + I” (“Command + I” for Mac) and then navigate to the folder where your media files are stored. Select the file you desired to import into DaVinci Resolve.

Solution 2. Check if the Media Filename is Supported by DaVinci Resolve

Another reason for not importing media files in Resolve was the inappropriate filename. If you find the filename contains some emojis, special characters, etc., rename your file and then import it to DaVinci Resolve to see if the issue can be fixed.

Solution 3. Convert Video to DaVinci Resolve Compatible One

If the media not importing issue still exists after trying the above solutions, then you should consider the problem with your files. The file format may not be supported by DaVinci Resolve. Just find and use a reliable video converter to convert the file to a DaVinci Resolve-compatible format.

Instead of wasting time finding a video converter tool, here I recommend you to use WonderFox HD Video Converter Factory Pro. It is an all-in-one video processing tool that is capable of converting your videos to be supported by DaVinci Resolve with a few simple clicks. Moreover, it enables you to batch convert multiple files simultaneously with its batch conversion mode. Not only does it provide the conversion feature, but it is also available for editing, compressing, downloading videos, recording PC screens, and more.

Now, follow the steps below to convert files to be supported by DaVinci Resolve.

Step 1. Download and installDownload and install HD Video Converter Factory Pro on your PC and then launch it.

Step 2. Choose the “Converter” module from the initial interface and then click “+ Add Files” or “Add Video Folder” to import the unsupported video files.

Step 3. Click the format image on the right side to open the output format library. Select a DaVinci Resolve supported format under the “Video” tab like MP4, MOV, etc. Or you can also choose Apple “ProRes” under the “Device” > “Apple” section.

Step 4. Open the “Parameter settings” window and customize the video and audio codecs to be compatible with DaVinci Resolve. For MP4 output files, you’re recommended to select “H.264 + AAC”. Finally, click “OK” to save the changes and go back.

Step 5. Click the bottom inverted triangle button to specify an output path for the converted files and click the “Run” button to start the video conversion process immediately.

Solution 4. Convert VFR Videos to CFR

Since DaVinci Resolve doesn’t support videos that have variable frame rates, you should check if your videos have variable frame rates and convert the frame rate from variable to constant if needed.

To transcode the video from VFR to CFR, you can also use HD Video Converter Factory Pro. It can convert video to a constant frame rate without causing any damage to the video. So just downloaddownload it here and read the following to see how it works.

Step 1. Launch the program and open the “Converter”. Drag and drop the VFR videos into the converter.

Step 2. If the displayed format on the right side is supported in DaVinci Resolve, just leave it as default. If not, click the format image on the right side to choose a DaVinci Resolve compatible output format.

Step 3. Enter the “Parameter Settings” window and find the “Frame rate” setting. Just choose a constant frame rate from the “Frame rate” drop-down list, or you can customize your preferred frame rate. Also, remember to adjust the video and audio encoder to be supported in DaVinci Resolve.

Step 4. Now press “Run” to start converting the video to a constant frame rate.

Solution 5. Repair the Corrupted Media File

If you have confirmed that your media files are corrupted, then you can find some reliable video repair tools online or offline to repair your corrupted video files. Then try to import the video into DaVinci Resolve to see if the issue is resolved.

Solution 6. Update DaVinci Resolve

Update DaVinci Resolve to the most recent version if you are using an outdated version. You can check for software updates by clicking on the DaVinci Resolve menu and then selecting the "Check for updates" option. Download and install the most recent update if one is available. After that, restart DaVinci Resolve and import media files to see if the problem has been resolved.

Solution 7: Try Another Video Editor

If the issue persists, you might try an alternative to DaVinci Resolve. Some good video editors, such as HitFilm Express, Lightworks, and others, are also professional video editors that will allow you to make some great videos.

Tips. Fix DaVinci Resolve Can’t Import Media on Mac

Some Mac users who download DaVinci Resolve from the App Store may encounter the DaVinci Resolve import media not working issue due to the app’s access privileges.

You can fix it with the following steps:

1. Open the Apple menu and select "System Preferences".

2. Click "Security & Privacy".

3. Choose the "Privacy" tab, then click "Accessibility".

4. Check if DaVinci Resolve is enabled in the list of apps.

5. If it’s not, click the “+” icon and select “DaVinci Resolve”.

Now, you should be able to import media into DaVinci Resolve.

If you still cannot import files into DaVinci Resolve, you may need to check the updates and download the latest version of DaVinci Resolve from the official website.

Why can’t I import images in DaVinci Resolve?

When attempting to import an image sequence into DaVinci Resolve, the images may not be named sequentially or continuously. As a result, Resolve will not import the image sequence as a single clip. So rename the images in an image sequence before importing them into this video editor.

Why can't I import videos in DaVinci Resolve?

DaVinci Resolve can't import your video if the file format or codec is not supported. Not only that, if your files are corrupted, have a variable frame rate, filename contains invalid characters, etc., then these files cannot be imported into DaVinci Resolve, either.

Luckily, this post has given the related solutions for the DaVinci Resolve not importing video issue. Have a look and fix the issue now!

DaVinci Resolve not importing media can be caused by various reasons. This post has listed the main causes as well as the handy solutions to fix the issue. So if you encounter the file not importing issue, just follow the methods provided in this post to troubleshoot it.
The above is all I want to share with you. Thank you for reading till the end. Have a nice day!