How to Upscale Video in CapCut: Tips, Fixes & Alternatives

CapCut Video Upscaler Overview

CapCut video upscaler refers to CapCut's built-in ability to increase video resolution and apply basic AI-based enhancement during editing and export. Instead of restoring lost details like professional restoration software, CapCut mainly improves output quality by adjusting resolution, sharpening visuals, and optimizing compression through its AI-assisted tools.

For most users, CapCut upscaling is designed for ease of use rather than advanced restoration. It works best when the source video already has acceptable clarity and only needs a resolution upgrade-for example, exporting a 720p clip to 1080p for social media platforms. CapCut video upscaler is available on both desktop and mobile versions, though the exact feature placement and options may vary depending on the platform and app version.

It is important to understand that upscaling in CapCut does not magically recreate missing details. Instead, it enhances the presentation of existing footage, making videos appear cleaner and sharper when exported at a higher resolution.

Part 2. How to Upscale a Video to 4K in CapCut (Desktop)

CapCut allows users to upscale videos by combining AI-based enhancement tools with higher export resolutions. The workflow differs slightly between the desktop version and the mobile app, so follow the steps below based on the platform you are using.

Step 1: Import the Video into CapCut

Download and install the CapCut desktop editor from the official website, then launch the program.

In the main interface, go to Media > Import, or simply drag and drop your video file into the workspace. Once imported, place the video onto the timeline to begin editing.

Step 2: Enhance and Upscale the Video

Click the video clip on the timeline to open the editing panel. You can start by applying subtle sharpening through the Filters tab if the footage looks soft. Then, navigate to the Basic or Enhance quality section and enable the AI enhancement option. Choose HD or UHD depending on how much you want to upscale the video.

Step 3: Export the Video in 4K Resolution

Once editing is complete, click Export in the top-right corner. In the export settings, manually select a higher resolution such as 4K, choose an appropriate format (commonly MP4), and adjust the bitrate if available to preserve quality. Click Export again to save the upscaled video to your computer.

CapCut also allows direct sharing to platforms like YouTube or TikTok, but exporting locally first is recommended if quality is your priority.

Part 3. How to Upscale a 1080p Video to 4K Using the CapCut Mobile App

The CapCut mobile app offers a faster, simplified upscaling process, designed mainly for short-form and social media content. While it has fewer manual controls than the desktop version, AI enhancement makes upscaling accessible on mobile devices.

Step 1: Import Your Video

Open the CapCut mobile app and tap New Project. Select the video from your phone's gallery that you want to upscale and confirm the import. Make sure you choose the correct clip, as mobile projects typically focus on one main video.

Step 2: Apply AI Enhancement or Adjust Settings

Tap the video on the timeline to open editing options. Go to Adjust and either manually increase sharpness and color values or select Video quality to let CapCut apply AI-based enhancement automatically. This step helps improve clarity before exporting at a higher resolution.

Preview the result to ensure the enhancement does not introduce excessive sharpness or unnatural colors.

Step 3: Export the Video at a Higher Resolution

When you are satisfied with the preview, tap Export. Choose an output resolution ranging from 1080p up to 4K, depending on what your device supports. Higher resolution exports work best for playback on modern screens or sharing on platforms that support high-definition video.

Part 4. CapCut Not Working: Common Upscaling Issues and Fixes

If you've followed the steps to upscale your video but the result doesn't look any better-or the feature doesn't seem to work at all-you're not alone. Many users search for questions like "Why is my CapCut upscaler not working?" or "Can CapCut upscale video reliably?"

In most cases, CapCut's video upscaler fails to deliver expected results due to common setup or system-related issues rather than a software malfunction. Below are the most frequent reasons CapCut upscaling may not work as expected, along with practical tips to fix each issue.

1. Outdated Version of CapCut

CapCut frequently updates its AI enhancement and export features. Older versions may not support the latest upscaling options or may contain bugs that affect output quality.

Tips to fix:

Update CapCut to the latest version from the official app store or website. After updating, restart the app to ensure the new features load correctly before retrying the upscale process.

2. Unsupported Device or Limited Processing Power

AI video upscaling requires significant system resources. Some mobile devices or low-spec PCs may struggle to process high-resolution exports smoothly.

Tips to fix:

Close unnecessary background applications to free up memory and CPU resources. If possible, switch to the CapCut desktop version, which generally handles upscaling tasks more efficiently than mobile devices.

3. Low-Resolution Source Video

CapCut's AI enhancement works best when the original footage already has a reasonable level of detail. Extremely low-resolution videos provide limited visual data for the AI to enhance.

Tips to fix:

Use source videos that are at least 720p for better upscaling results. If your footage is heavily compressed or very old, you may need a dedicated AI video enhancer before editing in CapCut.

4. Unstable Internet Connection (Web or Cloud-Based Features)

Some CapCut features rely on cloud processing, especially when using the web version. A weak or unstable internet connection can interrupt the upscaling process.

Tips to fix:

Switch to a stable Wi-Fi connection or use the desktop or mobile app for offline editing, which reduces reliance on cloud processing.

5. App Cache Issues or Temporary Glitches

Over time, cached files can cause CapCut to behave unpredictably, including AI tools not responding properly.

Tips to fix:

Clear CapCut's cache from the app settings or reinstall the application. This often resolves performance issues and restores normal upscaling functionality.

6. Incorrect Export Settings

Even if AI enhancement is applied during editing, CapCut may export the video at its original resolution if higher output settings are not manually selected.

Tips to fix:

Before exporting, open the export settings and explicitly choose 1080p or 4K as the output resolution. Set the bitrate to High to preserve visual quality during upscaling.

Part 5. Best Alternative to CapCut Upscale Video

If CapCut's built-in video upscaler does not meet your expectations-especially when working with highly compressed clips, old footage, or videos that need upscaling beyond 4K-you can use a dedicated AI video enhancer as an alternative. One reliable option is HitPaw VikPea, designed specifically to improve video clarity, restore lost detail, and maintain realistic textures and color balance.

What Is HitPaw VikPea?

HitPaw VikPea is an AI-powered video enhancer that helps creators upscale videos efficiently while preserving visual fidelity. Unlike general video editors, VikPea focuses on enhancing resolution, reducing noise, and restoring detail, making it a practical tool for professional-looking results even when starting with low-quality footage.

Key Features of HitPaw VikPea

• Upscale to 4K or 8K: Automatically increases video resolution without creating visible artifacts.
• Detail Recovery: Smart AI algorithms remove grain and blur to restore textures and important visual details.
• Color and Tone Enhancement: Adjusts brightness, sharpness, and color consistency for a polished, professional look.
• Batch Processing: Enhance multiple videos at once to save time for content creators.
• Split-screen: Side by side comparison to see the enhanced results in real-time
• Additional AI Tools: Video Generator, Video Repair, Frame Interpolation, Background Remover, etc.

How to Use HitPaw VikPea to Upscale Video to 4K

Step 1: Download and Install

Download HitPaw VikPea for your operating system (Windows or macOS) and follow the installation instructions. Launch the software once installed.

Step 2: Import Your Video

Choose Video Enhancer on the main interface, and click + or drag your video files into the main workspace. If you want to upscale multiple videos, you can add them all at once for batch processing.

Step 3. Select an AI Model

Based on your video type, choose an AI model like General Restoration for overall quality improvement, Animation for cartoons, Portrait Model for facial detaisl, etc.

Step 4: Choose Upscaling Settings

Select the target resolution (e.g., 4K or 8K). You can also adjust bit rate, frame rate and output format.

Step 5: Split-Screen Preview

Click Preview button to enter the split-screen to see a side-by-side comparison. Make any adjustments if necessary before applying the changes.

Step 6: Export the Upscaled Video

Once satisfied with the result, click Export and select your preferred format. The software will process the video and save it at the selected resolution with improved clarity and color fidelity.

Part 6. CacpCut Video Upscaling FAQs

Conclusion

CapCut makes upscaling videos easy on both desktop and mobile, allowing you to improve resolution and clarity with AI enhancement. For heavily compressed or low-quality footage, combining CapCut with a dedicated tool like HitPaw VikPea ensures higher-resolution results, restored detail, and a polished, professional look for your videos.