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Troubleshooting Generation Issues

Why generations fail or take longer than expected

Runbo (CEO of Magic Hour) avatar
Written by Runbo (CEO of Magic Hour)
Updated over 2 months ago

Generations may fail or take longer than expected for several reasons:

Queue and system load
Free generations are processed after paid jobs during peak hours. Subscribers and users with credits receive priority processing.

Connection problems
Unstable internet connections can interrupt file uploads or generation progress.

Input quality issues
Low-quality inputs produce poor results. Common problems include:

  • Unclear or contradictory prompts

  • Low-resolution images or video

  • Blurry, poorly-lit, or off-angle footage

  • Faces that are too small, obscured, or in profile

  • Non-human subjects (less reliable)

Account limits
Free accounts have restrictions on duration, resolution, and include watermarks. Generations will output an error when you click render if you've exhausted your available credits.

Content moderation
Generations that violate our content policies are automatically blocked. Learn more about content guidelines

Browser compatibility
Ad blockers, script blockers, outdated browsers, or aggressive privacy settings may interfere with uploads and previews.


Troubleshooting steps

Follow these steps in order for the best chance of resolving your issue:

1. Check your account status

View your available credits and plan limits in the top navigation bar.

2. Retry your generation

Server issues occasionally cause random failures. Retry once before troubleshooting further.

3. Switch models or modes

Different models handle different content better:

  • Lip Sync: Toggle between Standard (faster) and Pro (better quality)

  • Face Swap: Try Face Swap v1 for challenging scenes

  • Text-to-Video / Image-to-Video: Switch between available models if you see artifacts

4. Improve your inputs

For images:

  • Use high resolution (1080p or higher recommended)

  • Ensure good lighting and focus

  • Center your subject in the frame

For video:

  • Use frontal, well-lit faces when generating face content

  • Avoid motion blur and shaky footage

  • Keep subjects large in frame (30-70% for faces)

  • Use H.264 MP4 format at 24-30 fps

  • Trim unnecessary frames from start and end

For prompts:

  • Be specific and descriptive

  • Remove contradictory instructions

  • Structure prompts clearly: subject → action → setting → camera → style

  • Keep prompts concise but detailed

5. Generate shorter clips

AI performs best on 5-10 second clips. For longer content, generate multiple short segments and combine them in a video editor.

6. Try a different browser

Switch browsers or disable ad blockers and privacy extensions. Clear your browser cache if previews appear stuck.


Expected processing times

Processing times vary based on queue load, model complexity, and generation length:

  • Images: Under 1 minute (typically)

  • Short video (5-10s): 30 seconds to 2 minutes

  • Longer video: Increases with duration and resolution

These are typical ranges and not guaranteed. Peak hours may result in longer wait times for free users.


Tool-specific guidance

Face Swap

Best practices:

  • Use clear, frontal faces occupying 30-70% of the frame

  • Avoid sunglasses, heavy shadows, extreme angles, or obstructions

  • Ensure good, even lighting

If results look distorted:

  • Switch to Face Swap v1

  • Use footage where the subject faces the camera more directly

  • Crop tighter around the target face

  • For multi-person scenes, ensure your target face is dominant and well-lit

Note: Non-human faces and artistic styles are less reliable than human faces.

Lip Sync

Mode selection:

  • Standard: Faster processing, good for straightforward footage

  • Pro: Better quality, handles difficult footage

Audio requirements:

  • Clean speech with minimal background music

  • Remove long silences at start and end

Video requirements:

  • Front-facing subject with clearly visible lips

  • Stable footage (minimal head movement)

  • Trim clips to 5-10 seconds for best results

If timing drifts: Trim silence from the beginning of your audio or use footage with less subject movement.

Text-to-Video & Image-to-Video

Prompt structure: Use this format for best results:

  1. Subject: What is in the scene ("close-up of a basketball player")

  2. Action: What is happening ("drives left, executes step-back jumper")

  3. Setting: Where and when ("packed arena at night")

  4. Camera: How it's shot ("handheld, shallow depth of field, slow push-in")

  5. Style: Visual aesthetic ("gritty, cinematic, high contrast")

  6. Constraints: What to avoid ("sharp details, no text, stable lighting")

Tips:

  • Start with 5-8 second generations, then extend if needed

  • Avoid contradictory descriptions ("noisy yet ultra clean")

  • Don't mix incompatible genres or styles

  • Switch models if you see flickering, melting, or unwanted stylization

Video-to-Video (Stylize/Transform)

Source video tips:

  • Use steady camera footage

  • Ensure consistent exposure throughout

  • Avoid motion blur

  • Keep subjects centered and large in frame

If the output loses detail or identity:

  • Use brighter, steadier source footage

  • Generate shorter clips for action scenes

Image-to-Image

If your output doesn't match expectations:

  • Increase resemblance setting to stay closer to source

  • Lower creative strength for more subtle changes

  • Add negative prompts to avoid specific unwanted elements

  • Use the highest quality source image available

AI Image Upscaler

Upscaling magnifies existing details—including defects. Always start with the sharpest, highest-quality source image you have.

Best practices:

  • Try 2× upscaling first, then 4× if results are good

  • Available to all signed-in users with credits (no plan upgrade required)

AI Headshots

Photo requirements:

  • Upload 8-12 photos of the same person

  • Include varied angles and expressions

  • Use well-lit, high-quality images

  • Avoid heavy filters, sunglasses, and extreme side profiles

QR Code AI Art Generator

For scannable results:

  • Preserve quiet zones (blank borders) around the QR code

  • Maintain strong contrast between light and dark elements

  • Test with your phone camera during generation—highly decorative designs may not scan reliably

  • Note: Daily usage limits apply


Quick reference: Common issues

Problem

Solution

Lip sync looks off on profile angles

Switch to Pro mode and use more frontal footage

Face swap misses the subject

Switch to Face Swap v1 and crop tighter on target

Text-to-video doesn't get my prompt

Try using a more detailed prompt that just mentions a single motion, shorten to 6-8s


Creating longer content

"Can I generate a full movie or long video?"

AI video generators work best for short scenes (5-10 seconds). For longer content:

  1. Break your concept into individual shots

  2. Generate each shot separately (5-10s each)

  3. Combine clips in a video editor

  4. Maintain consistency across shots by using similar prompts (subject, color palette, camera style)

  5. Use reference frames to maintain visual continuity between shots


Still need help?

If you've tried these steps and still experience issues, contact support using the in-app help icon.

Please include:

  • Job ID (found in your generation history and URL of your generation)

  • Screenshots or screen recordings showing the issue

  • What you've tried

This information helps us diagnose problems faster and provide accurate solutions.

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