Summary: iMovie is the go-to user-centric video editor for Mac. It is a consumer-level video editor that helps create quick videos. It comes pre-installed on MacOS devices. But, despite being great software, it has a consistent crashing problem. One of the major reasons for iMovie crashing is damaged video while importing.
Some of the reasons for iMovie crashing are:
- Corrupted videos
- Video codec support problems
- OS compatibility problem
- Run-Time errors
- Common errors
- Hardware compatibility issues
Corrupted videos can be repaired using Stellar Repair for Video. It is a path-breaking software that helps recover damaged and corrupted videos using advanced repair algorithms.
Mac users can attest to the utility and ease iMovie videos bring to life. Unfortunately, however, iMovie crashes are more common than expected. While there are countless reasons for the crashing of iMovie, it mainly happens while importing a video for editing.
iMovie video editing software is a pre-installed application on macOS devices. It is an application designed to create slideshows, photos, and videos on a Mac. It is, thus, a bigger problem when software meant to make your life easy keeps crashing. We dug deep into the web but didn’t find any concrete solutions.
So we’ve tried to cover the problem in detail for you and the solution. Here are some of the possible explanations for the iMovie crashing issue.
1. Corrupted Video Files
If you import corrupted video files, iMovie video editing software is bound to crash. It’s easy to check whether a video file is corrupted or not. If you can play the file in a video player on your device, it is not corrupted. If you can’t play the file on your computer, you should check the file on other OS devices, like Windows, Apple’s iOS, or Android OS. If it doesn’t work anywhere, it is most likely that the file is corrupt. It is important to note that specific file formats are meant to work with professional video editing programs and video players. They are raw video files that contain heavier information for professional editing.
You will have to work with a different file or find the backup of the file if the file is corrupted. You can, alternatively, try to repair the video files and work with them. Finally, you can skip to video repair and skip the steps below if you’re facing a corrupt video problem.
2. Video Codec Support Problem
Video codecs are how video files are made playable on various devices. They compress and decompress files while defining the software and hardware specifications required to play them. iMovie, being a consumer-level program, doesn’t necessarily support all the codecs and file formats. If the codec isn’t supported, you can download codec packs or use a video converter to convert iMovie to MP4, MOV, or another supported file format.
It may also be possible to fix this error by updating your OS and iMovie software to the latest available version. Updates contain important security and bug fixes. Also, check for any other updates available
3. OS Compatibility Problem
You can run into a compatibility issue if your iMovie video editing software is updated, but the OS is older. Each version of iMovie comes with minimum compatibility. You need to update your Mac OS to the latest version, and iMovie will stop crashing. You won’t get an iMovie version that isn’t compatible with the latest OS version available for your Mac, as Apple sends updates only based on device hardware specifications.
4. Run-time Errors
Some of the errors that occur are either run-time errors or compilation errors. They can occur while using the program or during a conversion process. Some errors, like iMovie not exporting, may occur if the system power is cut off immediately. It is important to keep saving your files, which can help avoid such errors. You may also try to update iMovie to the latest version to fix several run times or compile errors. However, you might have to start from scratch or use an older file version if it isn’t out yet.
5. Fix Common Errors by Deleting Preferences
It might be possible to fix some common errors by deleting preferences. To do this, you must run the OS in safe mode. Run iMovie. Press the Command key with the Option key until a dialog box asking to reset preferences appears. Delete preferences and start working without iMovie crashing.
6. Hardware Compatibility Issues
Often, the problem can be because of a higher-resolution video or higher render settings than supported by your hardware. It may result in iMovie not exporting. Using a lower resolution or upgrading the hardware are two ways of fixing the problem. In case the video files are heavy, you can compress the videos using online or offline video converters, thereby reducing the load on the system.
Most of the solutions are quick fixes or update issues. The problem arises when you have corrupt videos. You can’t do much unless you have a backup of the files. But you can repair corrupt videos using ‘Stellar Repair for Video’ software. If you know about data recovery, you already know about Stellar – the data recovery experts. They have developed this magical software that helps repair and recover corrupt video files.
You can repair corrupt videos by the following steps:
- First, start the ‘Stellar Repair for Video’ software.
- Next, select your corrupted video/s by clicking ‘Add File’ on the software screen.
- Finally, hit ‘Repair‘ on the bottom.
- You will find the repaired videos once the process is completed in the selected output location.
- An ‘Advance Repair’ may help recover even the severely corrupted files.
- You will need sample video/s that are close to the corrupt videos regarding file type and video type. Select a video as close as possible to the corrupted videos. The best option is to use more videos from the same shoot.
- ‘Apply to All Files of Same Format’ will apply the same sample video/s in case more than one corrupted video is looking for repair.
- When the software prompts, save the file.
Making iMovie Crashes Disappear – Conclusion
iMovie can be a great asset as well as a hassle. The article helps you explain various reasons why iMovie crashes and their possible fixes. The primary reason for iMovie crashing is a corrupted video file. In the absence of backup files, only recovery software can help. Stellar is a powerhouse in data recovery, and their software, ‘ Stellar Repair for Video, ‘ helps recover damaged or corrupted videos.
FAQs
Can you get iMovie on Windows?
Apple iMovie for Windows isn’t available and isn’t likely to be known – just like FCP. Hence, it is recommended for Windows users to use other software like Windows built-in Video Editor or apps like Wondershare Filmora.
How to Convert iMovie to MP4?
It is straightforward to answer, ‘how to convert iMovie to MP4’. The answer lies in the question. Try a video converter. Several video converters are available – both free and paid. Some video converters are available as applications, including Adobe Media Encoder. Many converters work on the cloud, where you only have to upload files. The cloud solution may not work in the case of videos unless you have a very high internet speed, as the video file size can range from MBs to several GBs.
