How to Fix the "Render Path Inaccessible" Error in DaVinci Resolve

If you're trying to render a project in DaVinci Resolve and keep getting the "Render path inaccessible. Please select a valid path," error message, the wording of the message is pretty confusing, as a lot of people see the word "path" and assume there is a problem with system settings, permissions, environment variables, or a deeper configuration issue inside DaVinci Resolve and end up looking for solutions in the wrong place, so follow along as we guide you to the correctl solution.

What is the Error Message?

When DaVinci Resolve displays the message: "Render path inaccessible, please select a valid path."

It suggests that there is a problem with a file path or a system-level setting. The terminology is confusing because it makes you look in the wrong place for a completely different type of problem. However, in most cases, the software is simply telling you that no output folder has been selected for the rendered video.

The actual setting that needs attention is called Location in the Deliver page. This is the folder where DaVinci Resolve will save the finished video after rendering. Instead of clearly stating that no render location has been selected, the software shows a "render path" error. While technically correct, the wording doesn't really help newbies to Resolve.

How to Fix the "Render Path Inaccessible" Error in DaVinci Resolve

Thankfully, this is a really simple fix, so just work your way through the steps shown below.

• Go to the Deliver page in DaVinci Resolve, where rendering and export settings are configured.
• In the render settings panel, look for the Location field.

• This setting determines where the completed video file will be saved on your computer. (Annoying, it changes if you flip presets or change certain things).
• Click Browse or the folder selection option next to the Location field.
• Choose an existing folder on your system where you want the rendered video to be stored.
• Make sure the folder is accessible and that you have permission to write files to it.
• Once a valid location has been selected, add the job to the render queue if necessary and start the render process.
• The error should disappear, and DaVinci Resolve will begin exporting the video normally.

Still Having Problems?

If you have already selected a location and still receive the error, consider the following:

• Make sure that the selected folder is not read-only and that your user account has permission to save files there. Don't try to save it to a complicated location either.
• If the destination folder is located on an external drive, confirm that the drive is connected and properly mounted.
• If a folder was moved, renamed, or deleted after being selected in DaVinci Resolve, the software may no longer be able to access it.
• Choose a new folder and try rendering again.
• Save it to the Desktop, it's the most accessible location on most Windows systems.