How to Fix the Missing Files Error in After Effects

If you’re seeing a “Missing Files” error in After Effects, don’t panic! The files are most likely still on your computer, but After Effects has lost track of their location. This commonly happens when files are moved, renamed, or when a compressed After Effects template isn’t extracted properly from a ZIP file.

As an After Effects template creator, I've had hundreds of customers encounter the Missing Files error after unzipping their project.

Why Does This Happen?

After Effects relies on absolute file paths to locate assets like images, videos, and other media. If any of the following situations occur, After Effects will be unable to find them:

• You moved or renamed the files or folders .

• The project was transferred to a different computer without relinking the assets.

• The ZIP file containing the template wasn’t extracted correctly.

• External storage devices were disconnected.

How to Prevent the Error

To avoid the missing files issue, always extract compressed After Effects templates the right way:

1. Locate the original ZIP file.

2. Right-click it and choose “Extract All” (on Windows) or “Open With > Archive Utility” (on macOS).

3. Open the extracted folder and ensure all assets are inside before opening the project.

How to Fix the Missing Files Error

If the error has already occurred, follow these steps to manually relink your missing files:

1. Find the Missing Files

   • In the Project Panel, type “missing” in the search bar. All missing assets will be revealed, with a "color bars" icon.

2. Reconnect the First Missing File

   • Right-click one of the missing files and select “Replace Footage” > “File…”

   • In the panel that opens, navigate to the “(Footage)” folder inside the extracted ZIP folder.

   • Select the correct file and click “Open”.

3. Let After Effects Reconnect the Rest

   • Once you relink one file, After Effects will automatically search for and reconnect the other missing assets in the same folder.

Additional Tips

• Use Collect Files: If you plan to move a project, use File > Dependencies > Collect Files to export the project, and all its assets, into one tidy folder.

• Check File Extensions: If a file isn’t being recognized, confirm that its name and extension haven’t changed.

• Set a Reliable Folder Structure: Keep all project files inside a single master folder to prevent accidental moves or deletions.

By following these steps, you can quickly resolve missing file errors and keep your After Effects projects running smoothly!