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Troubleshooting Guide

Having issues with VideoToGif? Find solutions to common problems below.

📁

Upload & File Issues

❓ "File not supported" error

Solution:

  • Ensure your file is a video format (MP4, MOV, AVI, WEBM, MKV)
  • Maximum file size is 500MB for optimal performance
  • Try converting your video to MP4 using another tool first
  • Check that the file isn't corrupted by playing it in a video player

❓ Upload fails or nothing happens

Solution:

  • Check your internet connection (needed for loading FFmpeg library)
  • Clear your browser cache and reload the page
  • Try a different browser (Chrome, Firefox, or Edge recommended)
  • Ensure your browser allows JavaScript and WebAssembly
  • Disable browser extensions that might block scripts

❓ Drag-and-drop not working

Solution:

  • Try using the "Choose File" button instead
  • Make sure you're dragging from a local folder, not from cloud storage
  • Update your browser to the latest version
  • Check if your browser supports drag-and-drop (most modern browsers do)
⚙️

Conversion Problems

❓ Conversion is very slow

Solution:

  • Reduce video resolution (try 480p or 720p instead of 1080p)
  • Lower the frame rate (15 FPS or 20 FPS instead of 30 FPS)
  • Shorten the video duration (trim to under 10 seconds)
  • Close other browser tabs to free up memory
  • Use a desktop computer instead of mobile for large files

❓ Conversion fails or freezes

Solution:

  • Your video may be too large - try a smaller file or shorter clip
  • Refresh the page and try again
  • Check browser console for errors (F12 → Console tab)
  • Close memory-intensive applications
  • Try using batch mode for multiple small files instead of one large file

❓ "Out of memory" error

Solution:

  • Use a smaller video file (under 100MB recommended)
  • Lower resolution and frame rate settings
  • Close other browser tabs and applications
  • Restart your browser to clear memory
  • Use a device with more RAM if possible
🎨

Quality & Output Issues

❓ GIF looks pixelated or blurry

Solution:

  • Increase the quality setting to "High" or "Maximum"
  • Use higher resolution output (don't downscale too much)
  • Increase FPS (24 or 30 FPS for smoother motion)
  • Note: GIF format has inherent limitations compared to video

❓ GIF file size is too large

Solution:

  • Reduce resolution (480p or 360p for smaller files)
  • Lower frame rate (10-15 FPS instead of 30 FPS)
  • Shorten the video duration (under 5 seconds ideal)
  • Use the "GIF Optimizer" tool after conversion
  • Try the "Email-optimized" preset (under 500KB)

❓ Colors look wrong or washed out

Solution:

  • GIF format supports only 256 colors (limitation of format)
  • Use higher quality settings to improve color accuracy
  • Try "dithering" options in advanced settings
  • For better color fidelity, consider WebP or MP4 formats instead

❓ GIF won't download or save

Solution:

  • Check your browser's download settings
  • Ensure you have enough disk space
  • Try right-clicking the download button → "Save link as..."
  • Disable browser extensions that block downloads
  • Try a different browser
✂️

Editor & Editing Issues

❓ Video preview not playing

Solution:

  • Click the play button in the video player
  • Ensure your video file loaded successfully
  • Try refreshing the page and re-uploading
  • Check that your browser supports the video codec

❓ Trim markers won't move

Solution:

  • Make sure video has fully loaded (check progress bar)
  • Try clicking and dragging slowly
  • On mobile, try using landscape orientation
  • Zoom in on the timeline for finer control

❓ Can't add text or captions

Solution:

  • Make sure you're in the Editor page (not converter)
  • Click "Add Text" button in the toolbar
  • Text box should appear on the video preview
  • If not visible, try refreshing the page
🌐

Browser Compatibility

Recommended Browsers:

  • ✅ Chrome/Edge 90+ - Best performance
  • ✅ Firefox 88+ - Excellent support
  • ✅ Safari 14+ - Good support (some limitations on iOS)
  • ⚠️ Mobile browsers - Works but may be slower for large files
  • ❌ Internet Explorer - Not supported (use Edge instead)

💡 Tip: For best results, use a desktop browser with at least 4GB of RAM available.

⚡

Performance Optimization Tips

  • Start small: Test with a 3-5 second clip first
  • Use presets: Try "Twitter" or "Discord" presets for optimized settings
  • Trim first: Cut your video to only the needed portion before converting
  • Close tabs: Free up browser memory by closing unused tabs
  • Avoid 4K: 1080p or 720p is plenty for GIFs
  • Use batch wisely: Process 3-5 files at a time, not dozens
  • Save presets: Save your favorite settings to avoid reconfiguring
❓

Common Questions

Q: Is my video uploaded to your servers?

No! All processing happens locally in your browser using WebAssembly. Your videos never leave your device. See our Privacy Policy for details.

Q: Why is conversion slower on mobile?

Mobile devices have less processing power and memory than desktops. For large files or high-quality conversions, we recommend using a desktop computer.

Q: Can I convert videos longer than 1 minute?

Yes, but GIFs work best for short clips (3-10 seconds). Longer videos result in very large file sizes. Consider trimming your video or using MP4 format instead.

Q: Do I need to install anything?

No installation needed! VideoToGif works entirely in your web browser. Just visit the site and start converting.

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Still Need Help?

If your issue isn't covered here:

  • Check the browser console (F12 → Console) for error messages
  • Try the solution in a different browser
  • Test with a different video file to rule out file-specific issues
  • Clear your browser cache and cookies, then try again
  • Ensure your browser is updated to the latest version