Get help viewing, editing, and sharing movies on your Mac, iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Learn more about iMovie with these resources.

Before you begin, make sure to back up your iMovie libraries, your media, and the iMovie app.

Try these troubleshooting steps in order

After trying each step below, test iMovie again to see if you've fixed your issue.

Reset NVRAM

If you use an external device with iMovie like a camera, reset NVRAM:

1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Disconnect all external devices other than your keyboard and your mouse.
3. Reset NVRAM.
4. Open iMovie and attempt to reproduce your issue.
   • If iMovie works, reconnect devices one at a time until you can reproduce your issue. Restart your Mac after reconnecting a device if the device requires it.
   • If iMovie still doesn't work, you might need to update your device's firmware or have the device serviced.

Update macOS and iMovie

Choose Apple menu  > App Store, then click Updates. If an iMovie update is available, click Update to download and install it.

Check camera and media format compatibility

Make sure you're using a camera and media format that works with iMovie. If you can't find your camera listed or need further assistance, contact the manufacturer of the device for support.

If you're using a third-party video interface with your Mac, check with the manufacturer for firmware or other software updates for your device.

Test with a new library and project

You can create a new library and test project to check if the issue is with your library, project, or iMovie app. First, create a new library:

1. Quit iMovie.
2. While you press and hold the Option key, click the iMovie app in the Dock or double-click the iMovie app in the Applications folder.
3. In the Open Library window, click New to create a new library.
4. Name the test library 'Test iMovie Library,' then save it to the Desktop.

Next, create the test project using a built-in trailer template, then export it as a QuickTime video file:

1. In iMovie, click Projects to return to the Projects view.
2. Choose File > New Trailer, click the Action trailer template, then click Create.
3. Choose File > Share > File, click Next, name the file 'Finish Line,' then save the video file to the Desktop.

Next, import the QuickTime video file into a new project in the new library:

1. Click projects to return to the Projects view. In the window, click OK.
2. Choose File > New Movie.
3. Choose File > Import Media, then click Desktop in the Import window sidebar. Select the 'Finish Line.mov' file in the list, then click the Import Selected button.
4. Select the clip in the browser, then press the E key to add the clip to the timeline.
5. Try to recreate the issue you were having. For example, if iMovie quit when adding a transition, try to add a transition to the timeline.

If the new library and project work as expected, you've isolated the cause of your issue to the original library or project. Try to restore a previous version of the original library from a Time Machine or other backup.

Test iMovie with a new user account

Create another user account on your Mac, then test iMovie with the new user account.

Reset iMovie

Reset iMovie to default settings. Libraries won't be affected.

Imovie Price Mac App Store

Reinstall iMovie

Delete iMovie, then redownload and reinstall it. Libraries won't be affected.

Install Imovie App

Still not working?

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