If Final Cut Pro isn't working

Before proceeding, make sure to back up your Final Cut Pro libraries, media, and the Final Cut Pro application.

After trying each step in this list, test Final Cut Pro again to see if you've fixed your issue. 

1. Restart your Mac
2. Disconnect external devices
3. Check system requirements
4. Make sure the app is working as expected
5. Update Final Cut Pro
6. Verify installation of Pro Video Formats
7. Check media, device, and storage format compatibility
8. Check third-party software compatibility
9. Test with a new user account
10. Test with a new library project
11. Reset Final Cut Pro preferences
12. Remove and reinstall Final Cut Pro
13. Test with a new volume

Choose Restart from the Apple menu .

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An incompatible or malfunctioning external device can sometimes cause issues with Final Cut Pro. To test external devices:

1. Quit Final Cut Pro, then choose Shut Down from Apple menu .
2. Disconnect all external devices other than your keyboard and mouse.
3. For Intel-based Mac computers only, reset NVRAM. You only need to do this the first time you disconnect external devices.
4. Turn your Mac on.

If the issue only occurs when a particular device is connected, you might need to update or service the device. Contact the manufacturer for support.

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Make sure your Mac meets Final Cut Pro system requirements.

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Check the Final Cut Pro User Guide to make sure the app is working as expected. You can search the user guide for key terms shown in alerts, alert icons, or error messages.

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1. Try to complete all active projects.
2. If you haven't already, back up your existing libraries and your current copy of the Final Cut Pro application.
3. Choose Apple menu  > App Store, then click Updates in the toolbar. If a Final Cut Pro update is available, click the Update button to download and install it.

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Make sure that you've installed Pro Video Formats.

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1. Make sure to set the Privacy & Security settings on your Mac, which gives Final Cut Pro access to your photo library, Microphone, Camera, and Files and Folders.
2. Don't try to store Final Cut Pro libraries in these locations:
   • On a storage device you're using for Time Machine backups.
   • On the Desktop or in the Documents folder with Desktop & Documents turned on in iCloud Settings.
   • With third-party cloud storage services.
3. Check that you're using a supported media format.
4. Check that you're using a supported camera, and that you're importing media properly.
5. Check that you're using a supported storage device format, and that you have enough available storage space for your libraries and for exported project files. You might need to move your library.
6. For any external devices you're using like cameras, storage devices, or interfaces, check with the manufacturer for software or firmware updates. Follow the manufacturer's instructions when updating.

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If you're using a plug-in or other software not made by Apple with Final Cut Pro, make sure it's compatible with your version of Final Cut Pro and your version of macOS. Contact the manufacturer for support. If an update is available, follow the manufacturer's instructions to update the software. 

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Create another administrator user account on your Mac, then try to recreate the issue in the new account. If the issue doesn't occur in the new account, settings or files in the original account might be causing the issue.

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1. Create a new library
2. In the new library, create a new project using test media.
3. Try to reproduce your issue.

If you can't reproduce the issue using test media, the issue might be related to the media in the affected project. Obtain new copies of the media from the original source.

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Resetting preferences doesn't affect your libraries, projects, or media. However, any custom preference settings will be reset to their default settings. To reset Final Cut Pro settings:

1. Choose Final Cut Pro > Settings and note any specific settings you've made.
2. Quit Final Cut Pro.
3. Hold down the Command and Option keys, then open Final Cut Pro.
4. Click Delete Preferences.
5. Try to reproduce the issue you were experiencing. If the issue no longer occurs, open Final Cut Pro settings and reapply your custom settings.

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To remove and reinstall Final Cut Pro:

1. In the Finder, choose Go > Applications.
2. Locate Final Cut Pro and drag it to the Trash.
3. Reinstall Final Cut Pro from the App Store, or restore it from a backup. When restoring a copy of the Final Cut Pro application from a backup, you can either drag it from its storage location to your Applications folder or restore Final Cut Pro from Time Machine backups.

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These steps are a final check to make sure Final Cut Pro, macOS and your Mac are working as expected by isolating to only Apple software and hardware, setting aside your libraries and projects, media and all other third-party items like plug-ins.

1. Install macOS on a new volume of your built-in startup disk. Make sure it's the same version of macOS that you're currently using.
2. When macOS installation is complete, set up the Mac, then set the default startup disk to the new test volume.
3. Shut down your Mac and disconnect all devices, except for a keyboard and mouse or trackpad.
4. Turn on your Mac.
5. Select the primary volume in the Finder, then press Command-E to unmount the primary volume. This leaves only the test volume mounted.
6. Download and install Final Cut Pro from the Mac App Store.
7. Create test media for Final Cut Pro.
8. Use the test media to try to recreate the issue.

If the issue doesn’t occur, this confirms that Final Cut Pro, macOS, and your Mac are working as expected.

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Contact Apple support

• If you're unable to share an item in Final Cut Pro
• If you can’t burn to DVD or Blu-ray disc in Final Cut Pro
• Move a Final Cut Pro library