Fcpx library running slow and constantly freezing

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Level 1

8 points

Fcpx library running slow and constantly freezing

Hi,

I have a library for a documentary film which, over time, started to severely slow down and constantly freeze up. Some more details:

Even doing little things like nudging clips or dragging clips - there's always a lag.
The library itself takes a long time to load. There's also a delay/freeze when I select any of the events in the library. They usually do load in the end, but it takes a while.
Often (sometimes very) the program will freeze up and I get the beachball. I'd say this lasts at least a minute or longer, and I have to force quit quite often.

I'm working with mostly HD footage from different Sony cameras, and some archival footage I've imported. Some of the footage was filmed in varying frame rates. I optimized, I believe, the clips in use with a varying frame rate. (I read that this can be an issue.)

Are there ways in which I can easily isolate the cause of the issue?

I'm working with the latest version of fcpx. Adding a screenshot of my system specs below.

Thanks!

Barak

MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 12.4

Posted on Apr 25, 2023 2:44 AM

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Answer 1

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

150,355 points

Apr 25, 2023 4:59 AM in response to LightningB

First, update the OS to the current version of Monterey. I think 12.6.5.

Please post an EtreCheck report https://etrecheck.com giving the application Full Disk Access in Privacy & Security System Settings. Copy the report and use the Add Text button to paste the result into reply box.

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Answer 2

Apr 25, 2023 6:36 AM in response to LightningB

Please post that Etrecheck report as Tom requested.

Also: where is the library stored? What type of drive (HD, SD)? How much free space? Is the media stored in the library? How big is it?

How much free space on the system drive?

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Answer 3

LightningB Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 25, 2023 8:26 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

Thank you Tom & Luis. I'm attaching the report as additional text.

RE: Storage - It's stored on an external 5TB Lacie HD, which has 1.29 TB available. The media is all stored in the library. The library size is 3.44 TB.

There are 126.64 GB of free space on the system drive.

EtreCheckPro report

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Answer 4

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

150,355 points

Apr 25, 2023 8:33 AM in response to LightningB

Your computer seems to be failing. The kernel panics are hardware related and may be caused by the battery.

You need to completely delete the Avast software. Do not run any software that is continuously checking system activity. For the same reason Chrome needs to be fully deleted.

You need to do a complete uninstall of Chrome and its launch daemons and reinstall FCP.

https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95319?co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop&hl=en

Right-click Chrome in the Dock and select Quit.

Open Finder.and go to the folder containing the Google Chrome application, usually the Applications folder

Drag Google Chrome to the Trash.

In the Finder at the top of the screen, click Go>Go to Folder.

Enter ~/Library/Application Support/Google/Chrome and click Go.

Select the Chrome folder, and drag it to the Trash.

1) Drag the application to the trash and empty it

2) Drag the following to the trash as well:

/Library/LaunchAgents/com.google.keystone.agent.plist

/Library/LaunchAgents/com.google.keystone.xpcservice.plist

/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.google.keystone.daemon.plist

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Answer 5

Apr 25, 2023 8:34 AM in response to LightningB

Before looking at the report: such a HUGE library, and besides, in a rotating hard drive, is bound to be darned slow...

I do hope you have a good backup, because such a library is a very dangerous thing, if it gets corrupted, you could be in trouble.

With a backup in place, I would delete render files and consolidate media outside the library.

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Answer 6

Apr 25, 2023 8:35 AM in response to LightningB

Oh, and Chrome...

Get rid of it, just like Tom said.

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Answer 7

Apr 25, 2023 8:38 AM in response to LightningB

You also should complete remove avast.

Never install any third party "antivirus" or "cleaner". Their main function is to separate you from your money. Their secondary function is to hinder your mac performance and safety.

Effective defenses against malware and other threats

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Answer 8

LightningB Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 26, 2023 11:54 PM in response to LightningB

Tom, Luis, again,

thank you for your replies.

I've been implementing your suggestions. So far I've completely removed Chrome (though I didn't find anything in LaunchAgents, nor did I have a folder called LaunchDaemons) and Avast.

I also backed up, and then consolidated media outside of the library. So far the performance seems to be the same. I'll try reinstalling Final Cut and deleting optimized media next, though I'm concerned about the absence of optimized media slowing down the project which has seemed to be the case in the past.

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Answer 9

Apr 27, 2023 2:41 AM in response to LightningB

Please post an updated Etrecheck report.

If the keystone things were not removed, they will continue to do their worst.

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Answer 10

LightningB Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 28, 2023 5:04 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

I'm attaching an updated Etrecheck report, thanks.

EtreCheck report

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Answer 11

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

150,355 points

Apr 28, 2023 7:13 AM in response to LightningB

I can't see anything that's changed. You still have Chrome and the keystone daemons and the hardware issues remain.

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Answer 12

LightningB Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 28, 2023 9:00 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

I couldn't find some of those files earlier for some reasons. Found them now and deleted. Here's an updated report:

EtreCheck report

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Answer 13

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

150,355 points

Apr 28, 2023 9:16 AM in response to LightningB

[Loaded] com.google.keystone.daemon.plist (Google LLC - installed 2022-10-13)

Executable: /Library/Google/GoogleSoftwareUpdate/GoogleSoftwareUpdate.bundle/Contents/MacOS/GoogleSoftwareUpdateDaemon

Loaded] com.google.keystone.xpcservice.plist (Google LLC - installed 2022-10-13)

Executable: /Library/Google/GoogleSoftwareUpdate/GoogleSoftwareUpdate.bundle/Contents/Resources/GoogleSoftwareUpdateAgent.app/Contents/MacOS/GoogleSoftwareUpdateAgent

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Answer 14

LightningB Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 29, 2023 10:36 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

I deleted these files now. I also realized, I have google drive installed as well. Is that the same deal as Chrome? Could that be causing the issue? Sorry, I don't know how these things work. Thanks

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Answer 15

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

150,355 points

Apr 29, 2023 12:23 PM in response to LightningB

I don’t know anything about Google Drive, if it has the same problems. Perhaps Luis does.

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Fcpx library running slow and constantly freezing

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