Choppy playback / skipping frames?

[Vallzr]

Was editing one day and it was fine. Went to start Premiere the next day and this happens (check video). It lags like crazy and drags out everything. Same thing when opening older projects and even creating new ones. Also included specs for the curious. Thank you in advance.

[Vidya Sagar]

Thanks for posting in detail, Vallzr.

Have you tried the steps recommended in this article? Troubleshooting issues related to playback and performance in Premiere Pro

Share a screenshot of the application "Preferences > Audio Hardware" with us.

Vidya

[Vallzr · Accepted solution]

This?

EDIT: Changing "Default Input" to "No input" fixed it. Thank you for your help!

[Vidya Sagar]

Glad to hear the issue is fixed, Vallzr. Thanks for letting us know the status.

Vidya

[Eredi_13]

It was my headphones! Lol changing default input to no input fixed it! Thank you.

[RhinoReign]

Haha! How crazy is that?!?! Worked for me. Hopefully they'll sort it out ASAP! Thanks

[pedrame12114392]

this worked for me too! I was ready to give up from frustration...

[daizyy]

Ah after a solid 5 hours troubleshooting - trying everything in the above article, changing file types (as recommended by YouTubers) and playing with other settings. I realised it was audio input was automatically picking up a new mic software thing I'd installed (Kinon!) and that was the cause of all the choppiness. SO simply changed the Audio input under Edit > Preferences > Audio Hardware > Default Input / Output change to your inbuilt computer option 

[Dreamy_Bee5CAA]

OMG! Thank you so much Daizyy... after almost 5h searching for results on my country's languages and feeling really frustrated, I suddenly recalled to search it in English and found your answer. It was really helpful and effective! I'm really greatful, specially becauser I'm a beginner and I thought I'd lost all the project! THX!

[patdunn]

Still works, worked for me too!

[GrizzlyBear69]

THANK YOU!!! i tried anything but nothing works except this.

[DDanial]

Thank you!!! changing default input to no input fixed it

[Kizito27751178ouqj]

Does that mean I won't be able to play back audio via my headphones after this trouble shoot??

[Kizito27751178ouqj]

Ok, I get it now.

Input is for mic and stuff

[Ricscola]

The "answer" by the staff is not the solution. This is the Solution:
Under Edit > Preferences > Audio Hardware > Default Input change the Audio input to No Input.

If that doesn't work you can proceed with the troubleshooting:
Troubleshooting issues related to playback and performance in Premiere Pro.

Thanks to:

..SO simply changed the Audio input under Edit > Preferences > Audio Hardware > Default Input / Output..

By @daizy

I don't understant why having a mic selected is causing playback to skip but this fixed it at least.
2025 and still this problem exists.

[Kevin-Monahan]

Thanks for drawing our attention to this error. I fixed it so the response to Vidya Sagar's post was chosen as the correct answer. Yours is the same, so I upvoted your post. Thanks for that once more.

Cheers,
Kevin

[Tyler36041630ebfx]

I've been having this issue for YEARS, I would say I hope they fix it but it only shows up sometimes when I open the app, I have to close and open it and sometimes that fixed it, and sometimes I'd have to restart my computer. Gonna try your fix now, it's super annoying and idk if I really have hope for them "fixing" it or if it's something on our end. Kinda annoying too considering how much I spent on my newest pc