Recording performance issues: low frame rate or sync problems

Descript may display a warning like “Low frame rate detected” or “Video sync issues detected” when your system isn’t recording video as smoothly as expected. These warnings indicate your device may be struggling to keep up with high-quality video capture.

What these warnings mean

You'll see these messages when your system is low on resources—CPU, memory, or graphics performance—and can’t maintain a high frame rate during recording. This can lead to choppy or stuttered video playback, even though your audio is still recording normally.

If you continue recording while this warning is active, your video will likely have very low frame rate, making playback look laggy or jittery. This is especially noticeable if you’re capturing your camera or screen at high resolution (like 4K) while running other apps.

How to resolve performance issues

First, stop recording. Give your system a moment to reset before making any changes.

Also, reduce strain on your system:

  • Lower your camera resolution — Switch from 4K or 2K to 1080p (HD) or 720p if possible.
  • Close other apps or browser tabs — Especially those that use video (Zoom, YouTube, OBS).
  • Restart your computer or browser —This can quickly clear up background processes or memory leaks.
  • Make sure you’re on a supported browser — Descript works best in Chrome or Edge (if using the web app).
  • Verify your computer meets our recommended specifications — see our Descript system requirements Help Center guide for more info.
  • Update your software — Check for camera driver or graphics card updates, make sure your OS and Descript app are up to date.
  • Use a different camera — If you’re using a virtual camera, external webcam, or DSLR input, try switching to a simpler webcam source.

Still seeing the warning?

If you’ve tried the above and still see the performance warning, you can continue recording—but be aware that the video may not look smooth. If you’re recording something important, we strongly recommend restarting the app and making the recommended changes above before trying again.