Can't split clip

To split a clip, the playhead must be placed in the timeline at the point of the split and not be between clips or out of the timeline, such as past the end. The clip must be in the timeline and not in the media browser. Otherwise the Split Clip selection will be grayed out.

If that's not your situation, try deleting preferences. Open iMovie while holding down the Option and Command keys and select to delete preferences in the box that appears. iMovie will open in a new library. Reopen your old library to get back to your

projects.  Deleting preferences is a safe procedure that will not cause data loss or disruption to your project.

-- Rich

I think that the issue is particular to your iMovie app or setup, and not indigenous to the software in general, because it works for others. There's a glitch somewhere that needs to be rooted out. Nothing to do but try some diagnostic procedures.

Try booting up in Safe Mode (see Finder menu for instructions) and, after everything loads, immediately shut down and

reboot in normal mode. Then see if iMovie works properly.

Try opening iMovie in your Mac's Guest account, or in a new user account, and see if it works there.

If still no luck, try redownloading iMovie. To update/redownload iMovie 10, drag your iMovie 10 app from the Applications folder into the trash, but do not empty the trash.Sign in to the app store and open your purchases folder by clicking on your name at the bottom of the app store side bar. You will see your purchases displayed, including iMovie 10. Redownload/update iMovie from there. If not successful, drag your present iMovie app out of the trash and return it to the Applications folder.

If the problem still persists, try resetting the System Management Controller (but no longer available for the new M1 computers):

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201295

All else failing, contact Apple Support.  The techs there have the capability of remotely accessing your computer that we cannot do here.  To contact apple support click on the Get Support item in the upper right hand corner of this forum’s screen.  Navigate to a place where you can enter your phone number.

-- Rich

If you haven’t done so already, try putting your media into a newly created project and see if split clip works there. Also, be sure that your iMovie app is updated to current version.

Until this is solved, a workaround is to make a duplicate of the clip in the timeline, so that you have two clips, and then trim back the right and left edges of the respective clips to achieve the split point.

I think that if you read the forums of other video editor apps you will find that they all have their issues.

— Rich

Most welcome.

Good luck with this. If you have time, post back with whatever solution you come up with. It might help others who have this or a similar problem.

-- Rich