How to resolve export failures in Final Cut Pro?

I tried to export my file in 4K 60fps HDR (Apple ProRes 422 Proxy for the lowest size possible) But around 59% the export was getting failed. The estimated file size was 56GB but I had 400GB space left. Usually whenever there is an export fail, FCP shows the defective frame number on the timeline, but this error only has the code (error -536870181). Just For Your Information, I am using MacBook Pro with M4 Pro.


Edit: (I figured out the solution. Check it in the reply section.)





[Re-Titled by Moderator]

MacBook Pro 14″

Posted on May 2, 2025 12:20 PM

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Posted on May 2, 2025 12:26 PM

I figured out the issue by myself. I tried contacting the support, but they also don't know the actual meaning behind the error codes, leaving me to find my own answer.

Things I already tried by looking on the internet:

Deleting Cache, rendered files.

Creating a new Library and copying all the Events and Project without media and then relinking media.

Relaunching my Finder and then First aid my External hard drive.

Re recorded the footages 5-6 times.


After doing all these, I noticed that the video was not so smooth during playbacks in the app. So I figured out that there might be some issue with the video encoding itself. Even tho it is at the highest quality and its a mov file, still the code or something inside it was making FCP struggle with playbacks and exports. I put the videos in Apple Compressor app, then converted them in their own resolution, which also helped me to reduce the file size without any noticeable quality compromise.


And that's it. The exported files from compressor worked like a charm!

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

May 2, 2025 12:26 PM in response to amit_m_pro

I figured out the issue by myself. I tried contacting the support, but they also don't know the actual meaning behind the error codes, leaving me to find my own answer.

Things I already tried by looking on the internet:

Deleting Cache, rendered files.

Creating a new Library and copying all the Events and Project without media and then relinking media.

Relaunching my Finder and then First aid my External hard drive.

Re recorded the footages 5-6 times.


After doing all these, I noticed that the video was not so smooth during playbacks in the app. So I figured out that there might be some issue with the video encoding itself. Even tho it is at the highest quality and its a mov file, still the code or something inside it was making FCP struggle with playbacks and exports. I put the videos in Apple Compressor app, then converted them in their own resolution, which also helped me to reduce the file size without any noticeable quality compromise.


And that's it. The exported files from compressor worked like a charm!

May 4, 2025 6:09 AM in response to amit_m_pro

As Ian said, what app? Can you provide any other details about the specific software, versions and capture scenario? There is no criticism here. If you feel comfortable providing the info, we just want to know the details to build a picture of the things which may cause this error.


I wrote a rough version of a media QC utility to try and detect these problems, but it was buggy and I never finished it. Due to the wide internal variation in Long GOP formats, it's very difficult to detect those without raising spurious errors. Given enough info about specific problematic cases it might be possible to focus on those.

May 4, 2025 7:37 AM in response to Ian R. Brown

Hello Ian,

I used FonePaw screen recorder. ScreenFlow and OBS both either lagged or the screen of the recording freezes after 10-12mins of recording. So FonePaw is much better for my work. I am using Crossover app to play windows game CyberPunk 2077 (2.21).


The screen recorder version is 3.9, and the Audio and Video quality is set to maximum Lossless.


Feel free to ask any more questions if that helps others.

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How to resolve export failures in Final Cut Pro?

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