Comprehensive How to Fix iMovie Crashing Guide to Fix Common Problems

Laura Goodwin May 21, 2024 Edit Video

Whether you’re an Apple device user or not, you might have known about the iMovie app. Now, like any other software or application, it is prone to various issues. Users reported that they experienced crashes, export issues, frustrating audio problems, and more. If you’re one of them, it can be a major headache, right? But worry no more. This guide is here to equip you with the knowledge and solutions to tackle these. Fix iMovie crashed when importing, exporting, and more here.

Fix iMovie Problems

PAGE CONTENT

Part 1. iMovie Keeps Crashing

When iMovie keeps crashing, it interrupts your workflow, and it can be really frustrating. There are several reasons why the tool experiences frequent crashes. It could be because of outdated software, corrupted project files, or conflicts with other programs. Insufficient system resources might also be the culprit. The question is, how to stop iMovie from crashing?

To resolve this problem, update your macOS and iMovie to their latest versions. You can also restart your computer to clear temporary files. Try creating a new project to see if the issue persists with a specific project. If crashes continue, delete iMovie preferences or reinstall the app entirely.

Update iMovie

Part 2. iMovie Export Problems

Exporting allows you to share your edited video. Yet, some complained that iMovie crashes when exporting. Common export problems include incomplete exports or low-quality output. Also, it could be due to the export process getting stuck or during the encoding process. Exporting issues in iMovie can also be upsetting. But fret not. There are ways to fix this.

First, ensure that your project doesn't contain any unsupported media formats or corrupted files. Next, try exporting to a different destination or file format. If that doesn't work, check for available storage space on your Mac and try exporting again. You can also try restarting iMovie or your Mac and attempting exporting the project again. That’s how you fix the iMovie error that occurred during export.

Change Format

Part 3. iMovie Crashes when Importing

Importing clips is the first step to editing. Crashes here can prevent you from using your media. If iMovie crashes when importing media files, some reasons lead to it. It could be due to incompatible file formats or corrupted media. Conflicts with third-party plugins can also be a reason for it.

To troubleshoot, start by verifying that the files you're importing are in supported formats. Be sure that they are MP4, MOV, or M4V files. If the problem persists, try importing smaller batches of files at a time. You may also disable any third-party plugins or extensions that might be causing conflicts.

Disable Plug Ins

Part 4. iMovie Audio Problems

iMovie audio sync problems are one of the issues experienced by users. Audio issues can ruin your video. These could be missing audio, audio out of sync, or distorted audio.

To address this issue, check if iMovie supports the file format you’re using. The tool supports MP3 and WAV. Next up, ensure that the volume levels are balanced and not too high. It is because it can cause distortion. Now, how about missing the audio track? Well, make sure that they haven’t been accidentally muted or muted from your project timeline. At the same time, check your computer’s sound settings. Ensure that you have selected the right audio output device.

Open Library

Part 5. iMovie Crashed and Deleted Your Project

“iMovie crashed and deleted my project” is one of those comments that you’ll see in the Apple Support Community. If you’re in the same situation, it can be devastating. This is especially true if you haven’t saved your work. Data loss is a serious concern. While iMovie doesn't intentionally delete projects, crashes can corrupt them. Thus, your projects will be inaccessible.

Yet, there are a few steps you can take to try to recover your project. The first thing you need to do is to check the iMovie Library. From there, see if there are any auto-saved versions of your project available. Access this by launching iMovie and selecting File > Open Library > iMovie. If you’re unable to find it, check the Trash on your Mac, too. Moving forward, remember to save your projects regularly. That way, you'll prevent the ‘iMovie crashed and lost my project’ issue in the future.

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Part 6. iMovie Storage Problems

Video editing requires significant storage space. Storage issues are also one of the most common problems faced by users while using iMovie. The reason could be due to large project files taking up space on your Mac's hard drive. Running out of space can lead to crashes and performance issues.

To resolve iMovie storage problems, you need to free up storage space. Start by deleting any unnecessary files or projects from iMovie that you no longer need. Do this by choosing Project in iMovie and clicking File > Move to Trash. Also, consider transferring large media files to an external hard drive. Finally, optimize storage by deleting unused iMovie project backups or rendered video files.

Part 7. Best Alternative to iMovie

If you find frequent crashes of iMovie too burdensome, consider using an alternative video maker. With that, we recommend Vidmore Video Converter. It can be a reliable alternative to iMovie. It offers a comprehensive solution for video editing and conversion tasks. Using it, you can trim, crop, merge, and add effects or filters to your videos with ease. It also boasts compatibility with a vast array of audio and video formats. It supports MP4, MOV, AVI, WMV, MKV, M4V, and more. Further, it ensures high-quality output without compromising on performance or speed. Whatever type of video or movie you want to craft can be created here in minutes. Plus, it supports more image and video editing tools you can use on its Toolbox. Finally, It is available on both Mac and Windows PCs.

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Free Download

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Part 8. FAQs About How to Fix iMovie Problems

Can you run iMovie on a PC?

No, iMovie is exclusive to Apple devices and runs on macOS, iPadOS, and iOS. There isn't a Windows PC version of iMovie available. Yet, there are several capable video editing programs available for Windows. One such tool you can use is the Vidmore Video Converter.

What are the disadvantages of iMovie?

While iMovie is a powerful video editing software, it does have some limitations. One disadvantage is that it has a limited export format. Another thing is that its compatibility is restricted to Apple devices.

What took the place of iMovie?

iMovie remains a popular choice for video editing among Mac and iOS users. So, there hasn't been a direct replacement for iMovie from Apple. Yet, there are alternatives you can use, like Vidmore Video Converter.

Why does iMovie have audio problems after exporting?

iMovie may encounter audio problems after exporting due to various reasons. One common issue is the mismatch between audio settings during export and playback devices. Another possible cause is corrupted project files or glitches during the export process.

Conclusion

To sum it up, that’s how you fix iMovie keeps crashing, and other issues. iMovie is a decent option for basic editing on Mac. Yet, if you’re looking for a more versatile alternative, consider Vidmore Video Converter. It also has a clean and intuitive interface. Thus, it is easy to navigate for both beginners and experienced users.

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