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How to Fix Out-of-Focus Video: Step-by-Step Guide Using Editing Tools

December 16, 2025Lucas Hayes

Shooting a video only to realize it’s out of focus can be frustrating, especially when the moment can’t be recreated. The good news is that technology now makes it possible to bring clarity back to your blurry clips. Today, you’ll learn practical ways to fix out of focus video using both AI-powered tools and professional editing software. We’ll start by understanding why videos become out of focus. Then we’ll discuss a range of tools, including Aiseesoft VidHex, Premiere Pro, After Effects, DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro, and iMovie, to sharpen the focus. This post will show you how to give your videos a polished appearance again!

Part 1. What Makes Your Video Out of Focus

Before jumping into fixes, it’s worth understanding what really causes your footage to lose sharpness.There are a number of reasons why a video could become out of focus; the simplest mistake is forgetting to adjust the camera's focus. Less obvious reasons include low lighting conditions and movement. Possibly the most common reason for going out of focus is that it's possible that the autofocus does not keep up, especially with a fast-moving subject or changing light while recording. Finally, just a slight amount of smudging on your lens could soften the image more than you think.

So, can you fix out of focus video? Of course, yes! You can, to a great extent. You may not always be able to restore every single detail. Nonetheless, there are editing applications and AI-enhanced tools that can supply you with better detail, sharpness, contrast, and overall clarity. The goal is to enable you to have natural-looking, clean footage that is easier to view, even if your footage is not fully sharp.

Part 2. How to Fix Out-of-Focus Video

We now understand the reason for the blur in videos. Let's discuss how to fix the blur. With today's editing tools, recovering clarity is easier than ever. Whether you are using AI-powered software like Aiseesoft VidHex to quickly AI fix out of focus video or manual editors like Premiere Pro, After Effects, or iMovie, there is always a way to sharpen and enhance your footage. This section will teach you the best tools and techniques to bring your videos back into focus.

1. Aiseesoft VidHex

If your video appears blurry or lacks sharpness, Aiseesoft VidHex is one of the most effective tools for restoring it. It uses advanced AI enhancement technology that can automatically fix out of focus video, making it clearer and more detailed without requiring editing skills.

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Steps to Fix Out-of-Focus Video Using Aiseesoft VidHex

Step 1.

Click the Download button to visit VidHex and install it on your desktop.

Step 2.

Upload or import the blurry or out-of-focus video you want to enhance.

Step 3.

In the editing panel, select the option Video Denoise Model.

Step 4.

Go to the Output Resolution and select 4K for a clearer and higher-quality video. You can also review the other settings to choose the appropriate format for your out-of-focus video.

Step 5.

Click the preview button to see your video's improvement after enhancement. If you’re pleased with the result, click Export All to save your newly sharpened video in your preferred format. With Aiseesoft VidHex, you can effortlessly fix out-of-focus video and make it look professional in just a few clicks.

2. Adobe Premiere Pro

If you want to know how to fix out of focus video in Premiere Pro, the software offers several professional tools to help sharpen and enhance your clips. While it doesn’t use AI like dedicated enhancement tools, its built-in effects can improve clarity and make slightly blurred footage look more defined. Here are the following procedures to fix an out-of-focus video.

Step 1.

Launch Premiere Pro, then start a new project. Drag your blurry video into the timeline.

Step 2.

Now, click on the File icon and select Adjustment Layer from the list. It allows you to apply effects to this layer rather than your video clip. The adjustment layer can be dragged to the timeline over the video clip track.

Step 3.

Consider sharpening the entire soft-focus footage or specific sections when you need to clarify your material. If you need to be sharper in certain sections, select the Razor tool. Once you have chosen your razor, cut the adjustment layer and position it on any blurred video that needs to be unsharpened.

Step 4.

Locate Unsharp Mask in the Effects panel, then drag it onto your clip.

Step 5.

In the Effect Controls panel, increase the sharpness intensity starting with 100%. Next, adjust the area around each pixel to be sharpened and try 1–2 pixels. Controls which areas are affected, and lower values sharpen more detail.

Step 6.

Make use of Lumetri Color. To enhance contrast and highlight details, use color correction. (optional)

Step 7.

After reviewing the results and making any necessary adjustments, export your improved video.

You have complete control over your footage with Premiere Pro's superb manual grain feature. However, this tool requires a certain level of skill in editing, and it may not be able to restore a heavily blurred video fully in all cases. You will have to decide whether you're working on a project that requires that control or if you simply enjoy working on a project. A beginner will learn quite a bit if they are tackling a project in Premiere Pro, but the learning curve may be more than working with an AI-based tool.

3. Adobe After Effects

When it comes to advanced video enhancement, fixing out-of-focus video in After Effects is a reliable method for those familiar with post-production. After Effects offers precise tools and effects that let you sharpen, stabilize, and improve video quality, giving you better control over visual correction.

How to Fix Out-of-Focus Video After Effects

Step 1.

Open After Effects, create a new composition, and import your out-of-focus clip.

Step 2.

Go to Effects and select Blur & Sharpen, then click Unsharp Mask and apply it to your video.

Step 3.

Adjust the unsharp mask settings. Increase the Amount gradually to enhance edges by starting around 150%. The Radius should be kept low by 1–3 pixels to avoid noise, and the Threshold should be set between 0 and 10 to control which pixels are sharpened.

Step 4.

Go to Effects, select Distort, and then click Detail-preserving Upscale to enlarge the video and slightly improve its sharpness.

Step 5.

Scrub through your video to ensure the enhancement looks natural and adjust the values if necessary. Once satisfied, render your video by going to File, selecting Export, and clicking Add to Render Queue.

After Effects offers more advanced video sharpening controls than most editors, making it ideal for those with editing experience. However, it can be time-consuming and resource-heavy. It’s perfect for using After Effects' precise adjustments, but it's not suitable for quick fixes or beginners looking for an easy way to correct out-of-focus video.

4. DaVinci Resolve

If you want professional-grade results, DaVinci Resolve offers advanced sharpening and detail enhancement tools perfect for video editors to fix out-of-focus video. Known for its color grading and clarity features, Resolve helps bring out lost details while keeping your footage natural-looking.

Steps to Fix Out-of-Focus Video DaVinci Resolve

Step 1.

Open DaVinci Resolve and begin a new project. Import your blurred video clip into the Media Pool.

Step 2.

Click the Color tab at the bottom to access the correction tools. In the OpenFX panel, search for Sharpen and drag it onto your node.

Step 3.

Adjust Sharpen Settings. Lower the Radius for subtle sharpening and slowly increase the Amount until edges appear crisp but not grainy.

Step 4.

Navigate to the Color Wheels panel and tweak the Midtone Detail to refine sharpness and contrast.

Step 5.

Once done, switch to the Deliver tab to render and export your enhanced video.

Verdict

DaVinci Resolve delivers high-quality sharpening and restoration tools ideal for professionals looking to fix out-of-focus video. Although its intricate controls yield remarkable outcomes, novices might find the interface difficult to use and time-consuming in comparison to more straightforward editors.

5. Final Cut Pro

Apple's Final Cut Pro is a powerful video editor that offers precise tools to enhance the sharpness and clarity of grainy footage. If you want to fix or refocus a video in Final Cut Pro, this software provides both built-in effects and plug-ins that help restore detail and make your clips look more polished and professional.

How to Fix Out-of-Focus Video Final Cut Pro

Step 1.

Launch Final Cut Pro and drag your video into the timeline. Go to the Effects Browser, search for Sharpen, click Unsharp Mask, and drag it onto your clip

Step 2.

In the Video Inspector, fine-tune the Amount slider until your footage regains definition without introducing too much noise.

Step 3.

Go to the Color Board or Color Inspector to slightly enhance contrast and midtones for a cleaner look.

Step 4.

After you're satisfied with the changes, export your enhanced video.

For Mac users seeking a straightforward yet professional solution, Final Cut Pro's out-of-focus video techniques offer excellent results, with controls that are easy to master and navigate. Unfortunately, it is only for Apple products. It lacks the potential to give the same level of manual control as more time-consuming, advanced color-grading tools, such as DaVinci Resolve.

6. iMovie

Suppose you’re relatively new to video editing or just want a simple way to enhance blurry footage. In that case, Apple’s iMovie is straightforward, free, and effective for basic edits, such as fixing out-of-focus video with a few quick adjustments. Here’s the procedure on how to fix:

Step 1.

Open iMovie and drag your video clip into the timeline.

Step 2.

Click on the Enhance (magic wand) icon or go to the Video Adjustment settings above the preview window.

Step 3.

Slide the Sharpness bar slightly to the right to make edges and details clearer.

Step 4.

Adjust the contrast and brightness, and play with these sliders to make your footage appear crisper and more defined.

Step 5.

Review your video to ensure it looks natural, then export it in your desired format.

Verdict

Using how to fix out of focus video in iMovie is perfect for casual users who need a quick fix without complex tools. It’s simple, fast, and completely free, but it has limited sharpening and video color correction capabilities compared to professional editors like Final Cut Pro or After Effects.

Part 3. FAQs about Fixing Out-of-Focus Video

How do I prevent my videos from being out of focus in the future?

Always use manual focus when possible, ensure proper lighting, and clean your camera lens before filming. If your camera offers focus peaking, enable it. It highlights in-focus areas to help you capture sharp footage every time.

Why does my camera keep losing focus while recording?

It usually happens when your camera’s autofocus struggles to track movement or lighting changes. Switching to manual focus and adjusting it based on your subject’s distance can help you avoid this problem.

Can motion blur be fixed the same way as out-of-focus video?

Not exactly. Motion blur comes from fast movement or slow shutter speeds, while out-of-focus issues are about lens sharpness. However, AI tools like Aiseesoft VidHex can still help reduce both by interpolating frames and enhancing edges for smoother visuals.

Conclusion

To sum up, blurry or soft footage does not indicate that you have ruined your video. With the tools available today, such as Aiseesoft VidHex or AI fix out-of-focus video, you can recover the sharpness, clarity, and overall quality of a professionally shot clip. When using editing software or AI tools, remember that restoring focus without degrading the original video quality is key to making an effective enhancement.