iMovie Not Responding on Mac | 4 Tips & 3 Methods

You can tell from the literal meaning that iMovie not responding stands for iMovie fails to launch, play a project, or iMovie cannot be open. The screen may turn transparent. Do not react however you click. But do not rush to get worried, for there is always a way out. You can try reinstalling iMovie or checking camera and media compatibility first. Or, read the quick tips and other methods we arranged specifically for you. If you are facing iMovie slow load or run, or iMovie is stuck on processing, you may also get them solved here.

Fix iMovie Not Responding Caused by Corrupted Videos with Video Repair Tool

Video corruption is one of the main reasons why iMovie is not responding. You can use video repair software for Mac to help finish the process. EaseUS Fixo Video Repair is a great choice for those without any idea how to repair video repair.

EaseUS Fixo Video Repair is a professional and reliable software that can repair corrupted video files on Mac. Common cases like MP4 not playing on Mac and MP no sound can be easily fixed. This video repair tool for Mac can be utilized by even computer rookies without any technical help, thanks to its easy-to-use user interface.

Here is how you can repair your corrupted videos with this video repair tool:

Step 1. Launch EaseUS Fixo on Mac

Download EaseUS Fixo on your Mac and launch it. Click "Video Repair" on the left and click "Add Video" to upload your corrupted MP4/MOV/MKV/3GP video files.

Step 2. Select the corrupted video and start repair

Select a targeted video and click the "Repair" button to start the single video repairing process. If you want to repair all the videos, select them all and click "Repair All".

Step 3. View and save the fixed videos

Wait a few minutes, and the corrupted videos will be repaired. The time you wait depends on how corrupted your videos are. Then click the "View Repaired" to preview the videos. To save the fixed video, hit the "Save" button. Keeping multiple videos is okay. Just choose "Save All" to complete.

Step 4. Run the advanced video repair process

If the quick repair doesn't work, try the advanced repair mode. Choose "Advanced Repair" to start the process. After uploading an example video, select "Confirm".

Step 5. View and save the video repaired in advance mode

A window of detailed information about the corruption and sample videos will pop up. Click "Repair Now" to start the process. When the repair is complete, you can view the fixed videos and click the "Save" button to keep the repaired video files on the path you want.

Four Easy Tips to Fix iMovie is Not Responding

To help you solve problems effectively, we prepared four easy tips so you can finish all processes within three steps. If you have already tried them out, you may go to more solutions for several advanced methods.

1. Tip 1. Relaunch iMovie App
2. Tip 2. Force Quit iMovie
3. Tip 3. Update macOS and iMovie
4. Tip 4. Reset iMovie by Clearing iMovie Preferences

Tip 1. Relaunch iMovie App

You can first simply relaunch your iMovie app to solve this problem. This way is also workable when you find black screen in iMovie.

📌Option 1:

Step 1. Hold the Command + Space key to open "Spotlight search".

Step 2. Type in iMovie in the search bar and hit Enter.

Step 3. Click the iMovie icon or hit Enter to launch it.

📌Option 2:

Step 1. Click to open Finder from the dock.

Step 2. From the left panel, click "Applications".

Step 3. Navigate to iMovie and click open it.

If iMovie still refuses to work, you may update the firmware or have your Mac serviced.

Tip 2. Force Quit iMovie

You can try to force quit iMovie if the whole screen turns transparent and your click does not take effect.

Step 1. Click the Apple logo and select "Force Quit" from the drop-down menu.

Step 2. Select the iMovie app from the list and click Force Quit.

Step 3. Click "Force Quit" again when the confirmation widow shows up.

Tip 3. Update macOS and iMovie

You can try updating macOS or iMovie, for there may be bugs that cause incompatibility in the older versions. It is recommended to do so when the video is not working on Mac. Here is how you do it:

Step 1. Click the Apple icon and select "App Store" from the drop-down menu.

Step 2. Click "Updates" in the left panel.

Step 3. If updates are available, click "Update" behind the app icon or update all software by clicking "Update All".

Tip 4. Reset iMovie by Clearing iMovie Preferences

You can check and clear iMovie preferences to default settings and resolve iMovie not responding.

Step 1. You need first quit the iMovie app on your Mac.

Step 2. Hold and press the Option + Command keys while you open iMovie.

Step 3. Click "Delete Preferences" when the confirmation widow shows up.

More Methods to Unfreeze iMovie with Ease

Here are some more complicated but also helpful ways to help you with iMovie not working on Mac:

1. Method 1. Reset PRAM or NVRAM on your Mac
2. Method 2. Test with A New Library and Project
3. Method 3. Boot your Mac in Safe Mode

Method 1. Reset PRAM or NVRAM on your Mac

PRAM and NVRAM are two special types of memory that save your data when you shut down your data. For instance, they will store the data even when you run out of battery. You can reset them to solve this no-responding problem. The method differs according to your processor.

📌For Intel processor users:

Step 1. Shut down your Mac by clicking the Apple icon > Shut Down.

Step 2. Restart your Mac by pushing the power button. You need to hold the Command + Option + P + R simultaneously for 20 seconds before you hear the start-up sound.

Step 3. Release all keys when you hear the start-up sound again.

📌For Silicon processor users

You don’t have to reset PRAM manually or NVRAM if your Mac is an M1 chip, for it will automatically reset once it detects issues.

Method 2. Test with A New Library and Project

Creating a new library and project may help you discover the issue stored in your iMovie app. Do like this: 

Step 1. Launch iMovie while holding the Option key.

Step 2. Create a new library by clicking "New".

Step 3. You can now create a new project to see if the problem still exists.

Method 3. Boot your Mac in Safe Mode

It is also an advisable way to reboot your Mac in safe mode to get rid of all third-party interferences:

Step 1. Restart your Mac and hold the "Shift key" when it boots up.

Step 2. Log in to your Mac when you see the login window.

Step 3. If asked, log in to your Mac again. If you see the "Safe Boot" in the upper right corner, you have successfully booted your Mac in safe mode.

Now, open your photos or videos again to see if it still exists.

FAQs on iMovie Not Responding

Here are some frequently asked questions that help you solve more related problems:

1. What should you do when iMovie is not responding?

You can try the following methods:

• Update iMovie and macOS
• Reset iMovie or resinatll iMovie
• Create a new library and project
• Reser NVRAM

2. How do you unfreeze iMovie?

You can try to force quit iMovie and then restart it from the Finder. But if you have any project working on iMovie, do not try this method. You can directly launch iMovie from Finder without quitting, as well.

3. How to fix black screen in iMovie?

To fix black screen in iMovie, you can try the ways below:

• Create a new media library
• Trash your preferences
• Reduce the memory usage
• Restart iMovie
• Import your video clip again
• Reinstall the iMovie app

Final Words

In this post from EaseUS, we have four easy tips and three advanced methods provided to help you troubleshoot iMovie not resoponding. You can choose from your needs and solve this problem. If your videos get corrupted accidentally, it is recommended that you consult EaseUS Fixo Video Repair for help. Try it now.