Can't save QuickTime screen recordings

After using CMD + SHIFT + 5 or by opening QuickTime -> File -> New Screen Recording... and pressing record, even with very short, few-second recordings, once I click the button at the top bar to stop the recording, I see a dimmed/greyed out preview in the corner, it cannot be dragged into an application, and when attempting to open it by clicking on it, I get a Quicklook window with the prohibited play sign, as shown below.


Upon closing this window, I get the error: "Your screen recording can't be saved." With the description: "Error saving recording." (Incredibly helpful :/ ), which is also captured below.


I have tried restarting several times, messing with save location, etc. but I can't seem to make it work.


As evidenced by the fact that I'm attatching these screenshots below, the screenshot functions work, it's only the recordings that fail.

iMac 27″, macOS 12.5

Posted on Oct 8, 2022 08:57 AM

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7 replies

Oct 8, 2022 12:02 PM in response to Ryryog25

Ryryog25 wrote:

once I click the button at the top bar to stop the recording, I see a dimmed/greyed out preview in the corner, it cannot be dragged into an application, and when attempting to open it by clicking on it, I get a Quicklook window with the prohibited play sign, as shown below.

is this "greyed out" preview in the upper right or lower right corner of your screen? if it's in the lower corner, you can de-select "Show Floating Thumbnail" in your recording options.


or you can wait a couple seconds until it moves itself from the lower corner to the top right corner before you interact with it.


Oct 8, 2022 12:10 PM in response to jeffreythefrog

That's... in no way the issue or helpful?


I know how to disable that, it isn't the problem. The problem is that it appears dimmer than it should (Which is almost certainly a byproduct of the latter issue), and when attempting to open it, as I used to be able to, and still can with screenshots, I get the screen that I attached above.


Also, to clarify, the screen recording is not saved in the specified location (Whether that's the Desktop or anywhere else I've tried). It just disappears.

Oct 8, 2022 12:26 PM in response to Ryryog25

Ryryog25 wrote:

Well I appreciate your snarky response…

you're welcome.

how was I “so understanding”?

by telling someone who's just trying to help you that "That's... in no way the issue or helpful" I cannot see or guess what you have or have not tried. and not using a floating thumbnail can solve some issues with saving recordings.

You didn’t address my question, so I said you didn’t address my question and attempted to clarify.

if you had asked for a clarification, I would have understood and would have been still willing to help. but no, you said I wasn't helpful, so I won't be beyond what I've already answered. and in many cases, de-selecting the floating thumbnail can help. so again I'm sorry I "wasn't helpful".

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Can't save QuickTime screen recordings

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