10 Effective Solutions to Fix iMovie Crashes on Mac

If you're an aspiring filmmaker or simply want to create fun videos, iMovie is a great free video editing software for Mac. However, like any other software, iMovie can sometimes crash, which can be frustrating. If you're experiencing this issue, don't worry! We've compiled a list of effective solutions to help you fix iMovie crashes on your Mac.

1. Try with Another File

If iMovie crashes when opening a specific video file, it may be corrupted. To test this, try opening the file in QuickTime player. If it crashes there as well, the file is likely corrupt. Try using a different file and make sure it's properly downloaded or transferred to your Mac.

2. Force Start iMovie

You can force start iMovie to resolve any temporary glitches. Simply open Activity Monitor from the Applications menu, select iMovie, and click the “x” button at the top to force quit the application.

3. Check for Unsupported Codecs

iMovie may crash if you're trying to open files with unsupported video, audio, or image formats. Visit the Apple Support page to learn about the supported file formats for iMovie. If your files are not supported, convert them to compatible formats and try again.

4. Close Irrelevant Apps

If your Mac has insufficient RAM, iMovie may crash. To free up RAM, close unnecessary apps. Open Activity Monitor, go to the Memory tab, and close any apps that are not essential.

5. Delete Render Files

Corrupt render files can cause iMovie to crash. Deleting these files can help resolve the issue and free up storage space on your Mac. Open iMovie, click on Settings in the menu bar, and delete the render files.

6. Open iMovie in a New Library

Creating a new library and copying your existing projects to it can fix iMovie crashes. Hold down the Option key and double-click on iMovie to open it. Then, click on New to create a new library and copy your projects from the old library to the new one.

7. Check Mac Storage

If iMovie crashes while exporting a 4K file, low storage on your Mac may be the culprit. Check your Mac's storage by clicking the Apple icon in the menu bar, opening System Settings, and selecting General. Optimize storage, delete unnecessary files, and empty the trash to free up space.

8. Change Export File Format

Changing the file format during the export process can help resolve iMovie crashes. After editing your project, click on the Share icon at the top, select Export File, adjust the resolution and quality settings, and export the file.

9. Update iMovie

An outdated version of iMovie can cause crashes. Head to the App Store and update iMovie to the latest version to ensure compatibility and stability.

10. Reinstall iMovie

If none of the above solutions work, consider reinstalling iMovie. Open Finder, select Applications from the sidebar, right-click on iMovie, and choose Move to Trash. Then, download iMovie from the App Store and give it another try.

Remember, if all else fails, you can always explore alternative video editing software available on the Mac App Store or use a web-based video editing solution to complete your projects seamlessly.

With these solutions in hand, you can now tackle iMovie crashes on your Mac and continue editing your videos like a pro!