If you are trying to open something in Clipchamp on Windows 11 but the video is constantly buffering, this is usually because buffering problems occur when you load projects containing large or unsupported media files. This also happens in editors like DaVinci Resolve and Premiere Pro. But with Clipchamp, even some common formats like .MOV or .MKV, or photos in the HEIC format, can cause problems. The same goes for videos with H.265 encoding. These formats require more processing time and are not fully supported by Clipchamp. So, follow along as we show you how to fix the problem.
Takeaways:
- How do you stop Chipchamp from buffering all the time?
- Best file formats to use with Chipchamp on Windows 11
- Windows 11 Chipchamp encoder? H.264 or H.265
Table of Contents
Which File Formats Cause Buffering in Chipchamp
- .MKV: This is an open-source video container format that can include multiple audio and video tracks, as well as subtitles. Its complexity often causes delays during playback or editing.
- .MOV: A video format developed by Apple and commonly used on iPhones and Macs. MOV files often use codecs such as ProRes or HEVC. Clipchamp does not fully support these codecs, which can lead to buffering issues.
- HEIC: This is the default photo format on newer iPhones. It provides high-quality images at smaller file sizes but is not widely supported by all video editing software, including Clipchamp.
Note: H.265 encoding will also cause problems, even with MP4 format files. So recode in H.264 when you are given the option.
How to Fix Buffering Problems in Clipchamp. (Chipchamp video buffering)
To reduce buffering problems, it is recommended to convert these files into formats better optimised for Clipchamp. For videos, convert them to MP4 using the H.264 codec. For photos, convert HEIC images to JPEG or PNG.
How to Convert MOV Files to MP4
Clipchamp performs best with MP4 files encoded with H.264. Converting MOV files to this format can greatly improve playback smoothness and reduce buffering.
Here is a simple method using VLC media player, which is free and widely used. But you can use tools like Handbrake or even online ones if you need to.
- Download and install VLC media player from the official website.
- Open VLC and go to the “Media” menu, then select “Convert / Save”.

- Click “Add…” to select the file you want to convert.

- Click “Convert / Save” to proceed.
- In the Profile dropdown, select “Video – H.264 + MP3 (MP4)”.

- Click the gear icon next to the profile to open settings.
- Go to the “Audio codec” tab and check the box “Keep original audio track” if you want to preserve the audio quality.
- Click “Save” to return to the previous window.
- Choose a destination folder and filename for your new MP4 file.
- Click “Start” to begin the conversion process.
- After the conversion completes, right-click the converted file, select “Properties”, and verify the file type is MP4.
Import this new MP4 file into Clipchamp and check whether the buffering problem has been resolved.
How to Convert HEIC Photos to JPEG
Clipchamp fully supports JPEG and PNG images, which load and render faster than HEIC files. Converting HEIC images to JPEG can reduce buffering caused by unsupported photo formats.
Follow these steps to convert HEIC photos online:
- Visit a reliable HEIC to JPEG converter website.
- Upload your HEIC photos to the site.
- Download the converted JPEG images.
- Import these JPEG files into your Clipchamp project.
After importing JPEG files, you should notice smoother performance and fewer buffering issues.