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iMovie crashes unexpectedly

When I click on a project to open, iMovie crashed and sent a report to Apple.


What are some possible issues and are there any steps that I can take to use the app as I urgently need to update a video for tomorrow?

iMac 27″ 5K, macOS 11.0

Posted on Dec 16, 2020 7:12 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Dec 16, 2020 9:32 AM

Hi, cw121,


Crashing issues take some trouble shooting. Try these diagnostic procedures and see if any of them cure it.


Deleting Preferences


Open iMovie while holding down the Option and Command keys and select to delete preferences in the box that appears.

iMovie will open in a new library. Reopen your old library to get back to your projects.  Deleting preferences is a safe procedure that will not cause data loss or disruption to your project.


Opening iMovie in a new library


Try opening iMovie in a new library.  To do that, open iMovie while holding down the Option key and then selecting to create a new library in the box that appears.


Opening iMovie in a new user account


Create a new user account from System Preferences/Users and Groups and try to open and use iMovie in the new account.

You can use the Guest account on your Mac for this purpose as well.


Safe Mode


You could also try booting up in Safe Mode (see Finder menu for instructions) and, after everything loads,

immediately shut down and reboot in normal mode. Then see if iMovie stops crashing.


Updating iMovie


To update/redownload iMovie 10, drag your iMovie 10 app from the Applications folder into the trash, but do not empty the

trash. Sign in to the app store and open your purchases folder by clicking on your name at the bottom of the app store side bar. You will see your purchases listed, including iMovie. See if you can update it from there. If unsuccessful, drag your present iMovie app out of the trash


Resetting the System Management Controller


Try resetting the System Management Controller. It is an easy process.


https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201295


Resetting the NVRAM or PRAM


Try resetting the NVRAM or PRAM.


https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204063


-- Rich

3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Dec 16, 2020 9:32 AM in response to cw121

Hi, cw121,


Crashing issues take some trouble shooting. Try these diagnostic procedures and see if any of them cure it.


Deleting Preferences


Open iMovie while holding down the Option and Command keys and select to delete preferences in the box that appears.

iMovie will open in a new library. Reopen your old library to get back to your projects.  Deleting preferences is a safe procedure that will not cause data loss or disruption to your project.


Opening iMovie in a new library


Try opening iMovie in a new library.  To do that, open iMovie while holding down the Option key and then selecting to create a new library in the box that appears.


Opening iMovie in a new user account


Create a new user account from System Preferences/Users and Groups and try to open and use iMovie in the new account.

You can use the Guest account on your Mac for this purpose as well.


Safe Mode


You could also try booting up in Safe Mode (see Finder menu for instructions) and, after everything loads,

immediately shut down and reboot in normal mode. Then see if iMovie stops crashing.


Updating iMovie


To update/redownload iMovie 10, drag your iMovie 10 app from the Applications folder into the trash, but do not empty the

trash. Sign in to the app store and open your purchases folder by clicking on your name at the bottom of the app store side bar. You will see your purchases listed, including iMovie. See if you can update it from there. If unsuccessful, drag your present iMovie app out of the trash


Resetting the System Management Controller


Try resetting the System Management Controller. It is an easy process.


https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201295


Resetting the NVRAM or PRAM


Try resetting the NVRAM or PRAM.


https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204063


-- Rich

iMovie crashes unexpectedly

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