3 Solutions to Fix the iMovie Not Responding Issue

Shanoon Cox

Apr 24, 2025• Proven solutions

There are so many interesting things that iMovie can do for professional videographers but many users these days are facing not responding issues for this software platform. If you are also facing this situation while creating one of your important and time-bound projects, then definitely you need an alternative for your work.

• Part 1. What Is "iMovie not responding"?
• Part 2. How to Fix the iMovie Not Responding Issue?
• Part 3. The Best iMovie Alternative for Mac
• Frequently Asked Questions

Part 1. What Is "iMovie not responding"?

As you can predict from the word “Not Responding”, it means that iMovie fails to work, or it is not able to act for certain commands initiated by the user. This problem is observed to occur so often whenever the cache becomes too large, so in order to avoid the “iMovie not responding” issue, you need to have the right size of cache and clear it periodically.

Experts recommend using an approximated size of 10 MB in order to avoid the Not Responding problem on the iMovie platform.

It is a common issue when your browser is making use of too many cookies, so for a better response of your system, you need to delete them from time to time. Always prefer to use disc scans from time to time so that unwanted files can be deleted, and enough free space can be created for software programs to execute their tasks.

Part 2. How to Fix the iMovie Not Responding Issue?

If you are searching for an effective solution to stay away from iMovie Not Responding issue, then you can use the tricks given below.

Solution 1. Clear the iMovie Preferences

Whenever you are going to open iMovie on your device, hold the Options key along with Command Key. This shortcut helps to present a pop-up window asking about whether you want to resent all iMovie preferences or not. Press “Yes” and now your iMovie will open to a normal format.

Solution 2. A Temporary Solution

First, you need to go to Finder and then hit Applications. From the given options, you have to select iMovie and then right-click over it. An option for show package content will appear in the drop-down menu, select macOS, and then hit the “iMovie to Launch” option. It will help you to stay away from the not responding issue.

Note: In case if you have any working project on the iMovie platform, never try the first solution, because it will cause corruption of your current project. Go for the second solution and save your project to a new location.

Solution 3. Check the Compatibility

The iMovie not responding issue is also observed when your iMovie version is not supported by your current macOS. In this case, you need to update your device to the latest version of iMovie and soon your program will start working normally.

Part 3. The Best iMovie Alternative for Mac

If iMovie is still not working after doing all the troubleshooting steps, it's time to find an alternative. Wondershare Filmora is one of the best software tools for all iMovie users as it can provide all the interesting video editing features similar to the iMovie platform.

Filmora is available on its official website with a trial version that can be downloaded for free with most editing tools. The best thing to know is that it can support all popular video file formats with ease, and you can create awesome videos within very little time due to its interactive user interface. It makes video editing easy and fun. See its key features below:

• Over a million pre-made assets: Filmora gives you access to a massive library of stickers, filters, transitions, graphics, and more. You can mix and match to get the look you want without starting from scratch.
• More than 10,000 customizable templates: Great for intros, vlogs, tutorials, or even YouTube channel name ideas for storytelling. Just plug in your content and go.
• 5 million+ royalty-free stock media: Find music, clips, images, and video backgrounds in Filmora, all ready to use. It saves you hours from downloading things from other sites.
• Built-in AI tools: Try its AI voice enhancer, AI audio to video, AI image to video, AI video enhancer, AI video denoiser, AI video translation, AI sticker generator, etc. Use them to enhance voice quality, add subtitles, translate videos, generate music, and more.
• Supports multiple file resolutions: You can export in HD (720p, 1080p), Full HD, or 4K. This gives you professional-looking, high-quality output for YouTube, social media, or any screen size.
• Cross-platform compatibility: Use it on both Mac and Windows, including smartphones, if you switch devices often. It’s built for creators who need something fast, flexible, and reliable.

Here’s a quick side-by-side view:

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why is iMovie not working on my iPhone?

If iMovie isn't working on your iPhone, it might be because of app bugs, low storage, or version incompatibility. You can try fixing it by updating iMovie, clearing space, or checking privacy and security settings.

2. Why does iMovie keep not responding?

The issue could be that your disk is running low on space, which can stop iMovie from working correctly. Sometimes, the drive you’re saving doesn’t have enough space either. A damaged video clip in your project can also cause the app to crash. In some cases, the problem only shows up in one specific project.

3. Why isn’t my iMovie uploading?

iMovie needs a stable internet connection to upload videos online. If your internet is slow, the upload might fail. Check your speed using an online tool. Then, try using a faster network if needed.

4. Can iMovie automatically make a movie?

iMovie’s Magic Movie feature builds a professional-looking video using your photos and videos automatically.

5. Why can’t I open iMovie?

iMovie might not open because of restrictions. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions. Either turn off the restrictions or allow iMovie in the list of approved apps.

That's it. If you have a better solution to the iMovie Not Responding issue, please feel free to let us know. If the above methods do not help you resolve this issue, then you can try Filmora. It will perform better than iMovie.

Shanoon Cox

Shanoon Cox is a writer and a lover of all things video.

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