If you’re a Final Cut Pro user, you’re likely familiar with the dreaded spinning wheel of death. This is when your project seems to hang, and the beach ball spins endlessly. Not only is it frustrating, but it can also be costly if it affects your workflow. In this post, we’ll go over why this issue occurs, and more importantly, how to fix it.
What causes the spinning wheel of death in Final Cut Pro?
Before we dive into the solutions, let’s discuss why this issue occurs. The spinning wheel of death can happen for a few reasons, including:
Large file sizes
Large files, especially those in 4K or higher, can cause Final Cut Pro to slow down. Your computer’s processing power and RAM can struggle to keep up with the demand, leading to the spinning wheel of death.
Third-party plugins
While third-party plugins can enhance your editing experience, they can also cause issues. If a plugin is poorly optimized or incompatible with your version of Final Cut Pro, it can lead to performance issues.
Corrupted project files
Sometimes, a project file can become corrupted, leading to performance issues. If you’ve experienced a crash or unexpected shutdown, your project file may have been affected.
How to fix the spinning wheel of death
Now that we’ve gone over why this issue occurs let’s discuss how to fix it. There are a few things you can try, depending on the cause of the spinning wheel of death.
Optimize your media
One way to reduce file size and improve performance is to optimize your media. You can do this by right-clicking on the media in your Event Browser and selecting “Transcode Media.” From there, you can choose a lower resolution or a more optimized codec.
Remove third-party plugins
If you suspect a third-party plugin is causing the issue, try removing it from your system temporarily. You can do this by going to your computer’s “Library” folder, then “Application Support,” and “Final Cut Pro.” From there, you can remove any plugins you suspect are causing the issue.
Delete render files
Render files are temporary files that Final Cut Pro uses for smooth playback. However, they can take up a significant amount of space and contribute to performance issues. You can delete your render files by going to “File” and selecting “Delete Generated Library Files.”
Repair corrupted project files
If you suspect your project file is corrupted, don’t fret—there are ways to repair it. The easiest way is to create a new library and import your project file into it. Final Cut Pro will automatically attempt to repair the project file during the import process.
Conclusion
The spinning wheel of death in Final Cut Pro can be frustrating, but it’s not the end of the world. Hopefully, the solutions we’ve gone over in this post have helped you get back to editing smoothly. Just remember to optimize your media, remove third-party plugins, delete render files, and repair corrupted project files when necessary.
FAQs
Why does Final Cut Pro keep spinning?
Final Cut Pro can keep spinning for a few reasons, including large file sizes, third-party plugins, or corrupted project files.
How do I optimize my media in Final Cut Pro?
To optimize your media in Final Cut Pro, right-click on the media in your Event Browser and select “Transcode Media.” From there, you can choose a lower resolution or a more optimized codec to reduce file size and improve performance.
How do I remove third-party plugins in Final Cut Pro?
To remove third-party plugins in Final Cut Pro, go to your computer’s “Library” folder, then “Application Support,” and “Final Cut Pro.” From there, you can remove any plugins you suspect are causing the issue.
How do I repair corrupted project files in Final Cut Pro?
To repair corrupted project files in Final Cut Pro, create a new library and import your project file into it. Final Cut Pro will automatically attempt to repair the project file during the import process.
