How to Fix CapCut Unusual Path Project Error

This error usually appears after Windows or CapCut crashes while a project is open, which leaves the project's main file, draft_content.json, damaged. Replace that file with a copy of CapCut's own backup file, template.tmp, and the project opens again.

These steps are for CapCut on Windows. The fix has worked on a 40 GB project with hundreds of hours of editing in it, so it's safe for big projects as long as you keep the backup from step 3.

How to fix the unusual path error in CapCut

1. Open your drafts folder. In CapCut, click the hexagon settings icon in the top right corner and choose Settings. Go to the Draft section, find Save To and click the folder icon next to it. This is where CapCut keeps your projects.
2. Open the broken project's folder. Find the folder with the same name as the project that shows the error, and open it.
3. Back up draft_content.json. Copy draft_content.json and paste it on your desktop or anywhere outside the drafts folder.
4. Delete draft_content.json. Go back to the project folder and delete the original draft_content.json.
5. Pick the right template file. Look for template.tmp and template-2.tmp. Switch File Explorer to the Details view and pick the one with the newest Date modified or the biggest Size.
6. Duplicate the template file. Select that file, press Ctrl+C, then Ctrl+V to make a copy in the same folder.
7. Rename the copy. Right-click the copy, choose Rename and call it draft_content.json. Click Yes if Windows warns you about changing the file extension.
8. Open the project in CapCut. Start CapCut and open the project. It should load normally, and you can edit and save it like before.

If you can't see the file extensions, turn them on in File Explorer under View > Show > File name extensions. Otherwise you might end up with a file called draft_content.json.tmp, which won't work.

If you can't see draft_content.json

Opening the drafts folder from inside CapCut sometimes shows only the subfolders in your project, with no files. When that happens, copy the path shown next to Save To in CapCut's settings, paste it into the File Explorer address bar and open the project folder from there. You'll see the files and the folders.

If the project still won't open

Put your backup of draft_content.json back in the folder and try the other .tmp file instead. If CapCut still won't open the project, or it opens to a blank screen, work through the fixes in How to Fix CapCut Project Not Opening or Loading Blank.

FAQ

Why does CapCut say my project is from an unusual path? It usually shows up after Windows or CapCut crashes while the project is open. The crash leaves draft_content.json damaged, and CapCut refuses to load it.

I can't see draft_content.json in the project folder. What do I do? Opening the folder from CapCut sometimes only shows subfolders. Open File Explorer and browse to the drafts folder path yourself, and you'll see all the files inside the project folder.