iMovie vs Monterey - major problems

Started a thread here too. I can't open projects in my iMovie library -- gets stuck on "Loading" with the spinning beach ball. Assuming that's the same thing you're seeing, I'm actually glad to hear that it's a known problem, so it's not just me...

I was using iMovie 10.3 (the version that came out a week or two before Monterey) under Big Sur without issues, so my guess is that it's something to do with Monterey.

Did it eventually load? I was just finishing up my project and I got stuck in the validating library loop.

The video is just over 5 minutes and I've been waiting for 10 minutes to load!!

It took me a couple of hours to finish editing and I don't want to it again..

The contributors on this forum are consumers just like yourself. We have no input into the design or functioning of Apple's software. You can communicate directly to Apple at the link below:

https://www.apple.com/feedback/imovie.html

Sorry to hear of all the problems that the folks on this thread have been experiencing.

-- Rich

My iMovie library would not open as well. I reset my preferences and then reopened iMovie. A status bar appeared saying it was backing up library. It finally opened after about 1/2 hour. I have a 2.2TB library.

Reset iMovie

1. Quit iMovie if it's open.
2. Hold down the Option and Command keys on your keyboard, and then reopen iMovie.
3. In the window that appears, click Delete Preferences.
4. 

iMovie will reset your preferences and open with default settings.

You might find that Adobe Premier won't work, either. No guarantee.

Be patient. If it is a Monterey problem, you can expect that Apple will fix it shortly. They are not going to just trash iMovie.

-- Rich

I have iMovie 10.3 (latest version) and I've found that when I open it, it can take a while to validate the library - and it seems to have to validate the library every time I open it.

Then it takes a while to open a project. I'll click on a project and a message will pop up that it's loading something completely unrelated to the project I'm trying to open and then nothing. A second or third click on the project will finally get it open.

Then dragging stuff into the timeline can take a few attempts before it will actually place it in the timeline. Click, drag, release will result in nothing on the first few attempts. If I click, drag and hold for several seconds over the time line it will finally insert the item.

But once I get it to accept one new item into the time line it seems to work okay for the rest of the time I'm using it on that project. However, once I shut it down and then reopen it, it starts with these same problems all over again. Very frustrating to say the least. Switching to a new project will also result in the same problems with trying to open the project and add items to the time line.

iMovie 10.3 moving slower than molasses on a winter day on Monterey, plus it takes hours to load a project to a file and the file is sometimes corrupted - problem due to a corrupted project. Please hurry with the fix!!!!!

I left mine in the "Loading..." stage for a few hours. Did my errands away from the computer (which eliminated the temptation to Force Quit). When I came back, it was usable.

Something is definitely broken, but it doesn't seem like anything has been permanently corrupted or lost. My biggest worry was that my impatience and impulsiveness to Force Quite the app when it appeared to be stuck caused permanent corruption.

I don't know if the problems we're experiencing are related to the memory leaks that others reported in certain apps, but I'm hoping Apple will have a fix out soon...

My first video loaded after 6-7 hours (video was 30 minutes long). After editing a 2nd 30 minute video and loading it into a file (another 6 hours), it was corrupted. Had to trash the video and now waiting on Apple's fix. WHERE IS APPLE on this issue? It's costing us!!!

I own a Macbook Pro 2019. I had no issues with loading iMovie for about 3 days after I upgraded to Monterey. But when I was saving my 1 and 1/2 minute video project today, it was just loading endlessly. I forced-quit it, and reopen, but it was just showing an indication "loading imovie library." I tried rebooting, and it didn't solve the issue. Please resolve asap.

I have really a lot of problem, loading in a lot of time, issue when close the project, the app is not killed, I have to force quit, and also issue when try to change the "time" of a image uploaded in the timeline. I have no words, who test this app?!

Same problem. First of all it takes forever to load video media. Then the sound doesn't load. Then when it is finally all loaded a 25 minute clip it tells me that it is going to take 22 HOURS to upload to shareable video for FB/YouTube!!!! iMovie 10.3. And newly uploaded Monterey. Useless!

I’ve been lucky, I guess. After then initial delay in loading (which can be hours on my larger library), it seems to work with normal intervals after that. It’s taking about the same amount of time to export a 30 minute movie.

For now, I’m hobbling along with a new library file and forgoing using some of my earlier movie assets in the large library that takes hours to open.

I don’t have a ticket open with Apple; I know at least one other person mentioned having one. Just haven’t had the time to do it, but I know the drill: no ticket means the problem doesn’t exist for Apple.

I did that (deleted preferences) and was told it would not delete my projects. Nope!!! All my previous projects are GONE!!! BE CAREFUL if you do this method, which DID NOT help the iMovie situation. Thankfully, I have my projects backed up on an exterior hard drive. WHERE is Apple on this? I love Apple, BUT this is testing my patience.

I usually wait to install their new OS, but Big Sur became corrupted so I downloaded Monterey right away. BIG MISTAKE!!! COME ON APPLE!!!! THIS IS COSTING US TIME AND MONEY!!!!!