Every VPJ file eventually becomes corrupted... is there anything I can do?

sgware

I've been using VideoPad for years, but after the update to version 17.45 it has become unusable.

Every time I work on a medium to large video, at some point VideoPad will crash and I will have to restart my computer. After the restart, when I open the file (auto save or original) it is permanently unusable in some way. It still opens just fine, and I can still play the video in the preview. However, the video clips do not process (the little blue bar at the bottom), and I can't export the video. It gets suck in the "Pending..." status, and then VideoPad becomes unresponsive and I have to kill the process with ctrl + alt + del. I've tried waiting up to an hour, but it never gets out of the "Pending..." phase.

This happens with every file, and it has made VideoPad unusable. Is there anything I can do to recover my corrupted files, or so I just need to switch to some other video editing software?

borate

If projects load when launching a VPJ, then they likely are not corrupt. Install this release, even if it appears to be the same as the one installed now.

No change? Share a project for analysis. That's the best way to fix the issue. Follow these steps, one-by-one. Don't skip any. And if using Google Drive for the upload, remember to change "restricted" to "anyone with link can view." The process is easy, quick and can be done privately.

Back up --- With your project on the timeline, click on MENU at the top-left. Click FILE|BACK UP PROJECT FILES TO FOLDER. Choose a folder and SELECT FOLDER.
Upload --- Use a free server - Google Drive, MS OneDrive, etc.* - to upload the saved, numbered FOLDER. No need to upload the individual VPJ or export file.
Get link --- Right-click the file and click SHARE. If using Google, right-click the file, click SHARE | SHARE. Change "restricted" to "anyone ... can view"
Share --- Click COPY LINK or OK | DONE. Paste that link here, or click the folder at the top-right of this forum to message it privately. It won't be shared.

* Before uploading, right-click the folder, click PROPERTIES. Look at the File Size to confirm that it's not too big for the free space on the server.

sgware

Alright, I have sent you a private message with the zipped folder.

borate

Can't spot a problem. Check the PM link for the proof.

Wait for the violet caching line to complete under the preview window. That took less than a minute, as did HD export.

You don't mention the PC's specs. With the exception of simple projects, gaming-class hardware is often recommended. That goes for any NLE, not just Videopad. Be sure to use the 64-bit release; it better handles large, complex projects

Something else to try...

Use this free utility to uninstall Videopad. When it prompts for registry entries, select and delete them all. Reboot the PC. Then install the 64-bit VP release.

Of course, Save Project File AS routinely, giving it a unique # or name, so as not to overwrite prior saves. Using Save Project Files (no AS) will overwrite. From the HOME tab, the AS choice is available by clicking the caret to the right of the Save Project button on the toolbar. That way you're protected, and shouldn't lose anything.

sgware

Even after using that program to uninstall and remove all registry entries, then re-install the 64 bit version, I have the same problem.

I can open the project. I can play the whole video from start to finish, and it looks great. The thumbnails of the videos and images no longer load, and VideoPad freezes when I try to export the video. The export windows just says "Pending..." and then all of VideoPad freezes. It has to be stopped via ctrl + alt + del.

Lenovo P51
Windows 10 x64
Intel i7, 2.9 GHz
32 GB RAM
NVIDIA Quadro M1200 GPU

I've been using VideoPad on this same computer to edit larger projects than this one for years.

Is there really nothing I can do?

borate

Perplexing. The I7 and 32GB RAM should be fine.

According to an AI summary, the M1200 is not really suitable for video editing, but apparently has been adequate there in the past. You might test None (CPU only) mode. Go go OPTIONS | ADVANCED and make that choice in the GPU section at the bottom. Restart Videopad for it to take effect.

If this solves the issue, then it may be time to invest in a more robust video card, such as the NVidia RTX 3060, the mid-range card being used here.

Test this release and report back. Ignore any virus or update prompts.

Beyond that, try a VP install on another machine if available.

sgware

Switching to "None (CPU only)" seems to have worked! I set that, then restarted VideoPad. The next time I opened the project, the thumbnails showed up again, and I was able to export the video! It's slower now, but at least it works. Thank you so much.

borate

Hints that the card isn't up to the task of handling some of the files in that specific project, perhaps. Check your piggy bank.😏

A higher end card may make a speed improvement, as VP will utilize it if the project is suitable. GPU is faster than CPU.