Why Is Runway ML Video Generation Stuck at Zero Percent?

You submit a video generation job in Runway and the progress bar just sits at zero, never moving forward. This is a common hiccup that usually clears up without losing your project or requiring you to start over.

Because video generation is far more resource-intensive than image or text tasks, jobs stuck at zero are frequently just waiting in a queue rather than actually failing behind RAFFIPLAY the scenes.

Possible Causes

• High demand on Runway’s rendering servers during peak hours can delay jobs from starting right away.
• A very large or complex input file can take longer to begin processing than a simpler one.
• A browser tab left inactive for too long can lose connection to the ongoing render job.
• Account-level generation limits being reached can silently prevent new jobs from starting at all.
• An unstable internet connection during submission can leave a job technically queued but not properly confirmed.

Initial Troubleshooting Steps

1. Keep the browser tab open and active rather than switching away for long periods.
2. Check your account’s remaining generation credits or minutes for the current billing period.
3. Wait several minutes before assuming the job has failed, since queue times vary with demand.

Advanced Steps

1. Try submitting a shorter or lower-resolution version of the same project to see if file size is the bottleneck.
2. Refresh the page and check your project history to confirm whether the job actually started in the background.
3. Log out and back in to refresh your session, then resubmit the job.
4. Confirm your internet connection was stable at the moment you submitted the original job.
5. Testing on a secondary device or browser profile is a fast way to confirm whether the problem is tied to your main setup or something broader.

Security and Data Warning

Avoid uploading confidential footage to test troubleshooting steps repeatedly; instead use a placeholder clip until you confirm the tool is working normally again.

When to See a Technician

If a job remains stuck at zero percent for over 30 minutes with no error and your credits are confirmed available, contact Runway support with the project ID for a direct check.

Conclusion

A stalled Runway render is usually about queue congestion or file size rather than a lost project. Keeping the tab active and checking your credit balance solves most stuck jobs within a reasonable wait time. Bookmarking these steps can save real time if this same hiccup pops up again in a future session.