The fastest way to remove sound depends on your software
Most video editors let you mute or delete audio in seconds — you select the audio track and either mute it (sound stays in the file but plays at zero volume) or delete it (sound is removed entirely). The steps differ slightly between programs, but the principle is the same across DaVinci Resolve, Adobe Premiere, CapCut, and iMovie. If you are using your phone, the process is even simpler: most mobile editors have a single mute button right on the timeline.
The choice between muting and deleting matters. Muting is safer because you can unmute later if you change your mind. Deleting saves file space but cannot be undone unless you undo immediately. For most people, muting is the right first move.
Key Takeaways
- Muting audio keeps the sound in your file but plays it at zero volume, while deleting removes it entirely — muting is safer because you can change your mind later.
- In most desktop editors, you right-click the audio track on the timeline and select mute or delete from the menu that appears.
- On phones and tablets, look for a speaker icon or audio settings button in the timeline — tapping it usually mutes the entire clip or track.
- If you want to keep some sound and remove only part of it, you can split the audio at the point where you want the change and mute only that section.
- Exporting your video with muted audio creates a new file; the original file is not changed unless you save over it.
Muting audio in DaVinci Resolve
Open your video in DaVinci Resolve and locate the audio track at the bottom of the timeline — it appears as a separate row below your video clip. Right-click directly on the audio waveform (the wavy line showing your sound) and a menu will appear. Select Mute from the options. The audio track will now show a small speaker icon with a line through it, indicating it is muted.
If you want to mute only part of the audio, position your playhead (the vertical line showing where you are in the timeline) at the point where you want the sound to stop. Right-click the audio track and select Split. This cuts the audio into two pieces at that exact moment. Then mute only the section you want silent by clicking on that piece and selecting Mute.
To unmute, right-click the muted audio section and select Unmute. The sound will play again at its original volume.
Removing audio in Adobe Premiere
In Adobe Premiere, click once on the audio track in your timeline to select it — the entire track will highlight. Then press the Delete key on your keyboard. A dialog box will ask whether you want to delete the audio or ripple delete (which closes the gap left behind). Choose Delete if you want to keep the timing of your video the same, or Ripple Delete if you want everything after that point to shift earlier.
If you want to mute instead of delete, right-click the audio track and select Mute. The track will show a small speaker icon with a line through it. You can unmute it at any time by right-clicking and selecting Unmute.
To remove only part of the audio, use the razor tool (it looks like a blade icon in the toolbar) to cut the audio at two points, then delete the section between them. This leaves the rest of your audio intact.
Muting sound on your phone or tablet
In CapCut, import your video and tap it on the timeline to select it. Look for the Audio button at the bottom of the screen — it usually shows a speaker icon. Tap it and you will see options including Mute. Select Mute and the audio will be silenced. The video itself stays unchanged.
In iMovie on iPhone or iPad, select your video clip on the timeline and tap the volume icon (it looks like a speaker) at the top of the screen. Drag the slider all the way to the left to mute, or tap the mute icon to toggle it off completely. The audio is now silent but still part of your file.
On both apps, you can unmute by tapping the same button and adjusting the volume back up. Changes are not saved to your original video — they only apply to the version you export.
Splitting audio to mute only part of a video
Sometimes you want to keep the sound for most of your video but remove it from one section — for example, to cut out background noise or an unwanted comment. The way to do this is to split the audio track at the points where you want the change to happen.
Position your playhead at the moment where you want the sound to stop. In most editors, you can right-click and select Split, or use the keyboard shortcut (usually Ctrl+K on Windows or Cmd+K on Mac). Do this again at the point where you want the sound to start again. You now have three separate audio pieces: the part before, the silent part, and the part after. Mute only the middle piece.
This method is cleaner than deleting because it preserves the timing of your video — nothing shifts or jumps. If you delete audio instead, everything after the deletion point moves earlier, which can throw off your edits.
Exporting your video after removing sound
After you mute or delete the audio, you need to export your video to save the changes. In DaVinci Resolve, go to File and select Export. Choose your format (MP4 is standard for most uses) and click Export. The new file will have no sound.
In Adobe Premiere, go to File and select Export, then Media. Choose your format and destination, then click Export. On your phone, CapCut and iMovie both have a Save or Export button — tap it and choose where to save your video.
The export creates a brand-new file. Your original video is not changed. If you want to keep both versions (one with sound, one without), make sure you give them different names so you do not accidentally overwrite the original.
Common mistakes to avoid
The most common mistake is confusing mute with delete. If you delete audio and then immediately realize you needed it, undo right away by pressing Ctrl+Z (Windows) or Cmd+Z (Mac). If you close the file without undoing, the audio is gone for good. Muting is always safer because you can unmute later.
Another mistake is forgetting to export. Changes you make in the editor only exist in that project file — they do not change your original video. You must export to create a new file with the sound removed. If you share the original file instead of the exported one, the audio will still be there.
A third mistake is muting the wrong track. If your video has multiple audio tracks (for example, dialogue on one track and music on another), make sure you are muting the right one. Click on the track name or label to confirm which one you are selecting before you mute.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I mute just the dialogue and keep the background music?
Yes, but only if your editor separated the dialogue and music into different tracks when you imported the video. If they are on the same track, you cannot separate them without specialized audio software. Some editors like Adobe Premiere let you import audio on separate tracks if the original file was mixed that way. Check your video's audio settings when you import it.
What if I mute the audio but it still plays when I export?
Make sure you exported the file after muting — changes in the editor do not carry over to your original video. Also check that you muted the right track. If your video has multiple audio tracks, muting one might not mute all of them. Select each track and verify it is muted before exporting.
Does muting make my video file smaller?
No. Muting silences the sound but keeps it in the file. Deleting the audio removes it entirely and does make the file smaller, but you cannot undo it after you close the project. If file size matters, delete instead of mute — just make sure you are certain you do not need the audio first.
Can I remove sound from just one part of a video without splitting?
Not in most basic editors. You need to split the audio at the start and end of the section you want silent, then mute that middle piece. Some advanced editors have keyframe automation that lets you fade audio to zero at specific points, but this is more complex and not available in all programs.
Will removing audio affect the video quality?
No. Audio and video are separate — removing or muting sound does not change how your video looks. The image quality stays exactly the same.