5 Solutions To 'Error Code 4' In Adobe Premiere Pro

To tackle the "Error Code 4" in Premiere Pro, clear out storage by deleting old video previews and cleaning up the Media Cache. If space remains an issue, consider exporting to an external drive or relocating the Media Cache to a different location.

October 10, 2023
5 Solutions To 'Error Code 4' In Adobe Premiere Pro
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How Do I Fix Error Code 4 In Premiere Pro?

Cause: Running Out of Storage Space

Commonly associated with the movie compiling error, the "Error Code 4" in Premiere Pro is a signal that your storage is reaching its limit. Imagine you're working on a project, and as you add more and more elements, the space required to save and preview these elements increases. If your storage runs out, Premiere Pro can't function properly, leading to this error.

Solution 1: Starting Fresh with a New Project

One of the simplest ways to tackle this issue is by initiating a new project. Here's how you can do it:

  1. Open Premiere Pro.
  2. Go to the "File" menu located at the top left corner of your screen.
  3. Select "New" and then "Project."
  4. Once your new project is open, go back to the "File" menu.
  5. Choose "Import" and select your old project file.
  6. This action will bring all the elements of your old project into the new one. It's like moving your belongings to a new room, hoping it's more organized and spacious.

Solution 2: Clearing Video Previews

Video previews are like small snippets or previews of your actual video. Over time, as you make changes, these previews accumulate. Let's clear them out:

  1. Open your project in Premiere Pro.
  2. At the top, you'll find the "Sequence" menu. Click on it.
  3. From the dropdown, select "Delete Render Files."
  4. A prompt will appear, asking if you're sure. Confirm the action.
  5. This step will clear out the old previews, freeing up some space. Think of it as deleting old photos from your phone gallery to make room for new ones.

Solution 3: Cleaning Up the Media Cache

The Media Cache is a storage area where Premiere Pro keeps temporary files to help speed up the editing process. Over time, this cache can grow and take up a significant portion of your storage. Let's clean it up:

  1. In Premiere Pro, navigate to the "Edit" menu at the top left.
  2. From the dropdown, select "Preferences" and then "Media Cache."
  3. A new window will pop up. Here, you'll see an option labeled "Delete." Click on it.
  4. You'll be presented with options. For now, select "Delete unused media cache files" and then click "OK."
  5. By doing this, you're essentially getting rid of old temporary files that you no longer need, similar to emptying the trash bin on your computer.

Solution 4: Exporting to a Different Drive

If your primary drive is almost full, consider using an external drive or another partition on your computer:

  1. When you're ready to export your project, go to "File" and then "Export."
  2. In the export settings, under "Output Name," click on the blue text (this is the name and location of your exported file).
  3. A window will pop up. Here, navigate to a different drive or location with ample space.
  4. Set your desired file name and click "Save," then proceed with the export.
  5. This method is like choosing to save a large file on an external hard drive because your computer's storage is almost full.

Solution 5: Relocating the Media Cache

If your current drive is filling up, you can instruct Premiere Pro to store its media cache files elsewhere:

  1. In Premiere Pro, go to the "Edit" menu.
  2. Select "Preferences" and then "Media Cache."
  3. In the window that appears, you'll see a location path. Next to it is a "Browse" button. Click on it.
  4. Choose a new location with sufficient space, preferably on a different drive.
  5. Confirm and save your changes.
  6. This step is akin to choosing a new folder to save your documents when your usual folder becomes too cluttered.