If you’re experiencing frustrating freezes or crashes when trying to play videos in QuickTime on your macOS Sonoma device, you’re not alone.
This issue can be disruptive, but the good news is that there are several effective solutions available.
In this blog, we’ll explore practical methods to address and resolve the problem of video playback issues in QuickTime on macOS Sonoma.
How To Fix MacOS Sonom Freezes/Crashes When Playback Videos In QuickTime?

To fix macOS Sonoma freezes/Crashes when playback videos in Quicktime you can restart your Mac, update macOS Sonoma, and update QuickTime and other related apps. Additionally, you can check for incompatible software, and run disk utility.
1. Restart Your Mac
Sometimes the simplest solution is the most effective.
Restarting your Mac can clear out temporary files and give your system a fresh start, which may be all it needs to resolve QuickTime playback issues.
- Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen.
- Select “Restart…” from the dropdown menu.

- Wait for your Mac to shut down completely, then turn it back on.
- Once restarted, try playing a video in QuickTime again.
2. Update MacOS Sonoma
Keeping your operating system up to date is crucial for both security and functionality.
An outdated OS can lead to various issues, including video playback problems in QuickTime.
- Click on the Apple menu and choose “System Settings.”

- Click General in the sidebar.
- Select “Software Update” to check for available updates.

- If an update is available, click “Update Now” and follow the on-screen instructions.
- After updating, check if QuickTime video playback has improved.
3. Update QuickTime And Other Related Apps
Outdated applications can cause compatibility issues with your OS.
Ensure that QuickTime and any other video-related apps are updated to their latest versions.
- Open the App Store on your Mac.

- Click on the “Updates” tab to see if there are updates available for QuickTime or other video apps.
- Click “Update” next to each app that requires it.
- Once all updates are installed, try playing a video in QuickTime.
4. Check For Incompatible Software
Some applications might conflict with QuickTime’s operation.
Identifying and removing or updating these can resolve playback issues.
- Go to the “Applications” folder and review the list of installed applications.

- Look for any apps that you installed around the time the issues began.
- Consider uninstalling these apps or checking for updates for them.
- After making changes, test QuickTime video playback.
5. Run Disk Utility

Corrupted system files can cause a multitude of problems, including issues with video playback. The Disk Utility tool can check for and repair file system errors.
- Open “Finder” and select “Applications” from the sidebar.

- Open the “Utilities” folder and launch “Disk Utility.”

- Select your startup disk from the sidebar.
- Click on “First Aid” and then “Run” to check the disk for errors.
- If Disk Utility finds any issues, it will attempt to repair them.
- After the repair process, retry playing videos in QuickTime.
6. Create A New User Account
User account corruption can lead to erratic system behaviour.
Creating a new user account can determine if the issue is with your current user profile.
- Open “System Preferences” from the Apple menu.

- Choose “Users & Groups” and click on the lock icon to make changes (you may need to enter your administrator password).
- Click the “+” button to add a new user account.
- Fill in the new account details, set the account type to “Administrator” for full access, and click “Create User.”
- Log out from your current account by going to the Apple menu and selecting “Log Out [Your Account Name].”
- Log in with the new user account and open QuickTime to test video playback.
7. Force Quit QuickTime
If QuickTime is unresponsive, force quitting the application may resolve the immediate freezing or crashing issue, allowing you to restart the app and attempt playback again.
- Press Option, Command, and Esc (Escape) keys together to open the Force Quit Applications window.
- Select “QuickTime Player” from the list of applications.
- Click “Force Quit” to close QuickTime Player.
- Reopen QuickTime Player and try to play the video again.
8. Contact Apple Support

If you’ve tried all the troubleshooting steps and QuickTime still freezes or crashes during video playback, it may be time to seek professional help.
- Visit the Apple Support website.
- Choose the option that best fits your situation, such as chat support, phone support, or scheduling an appointment at the Genius Bar at an Apple Store.
- Provide the support representative with all the details of the issue, as well as the troubleshooting steps you’ve already taken.
- Follow any additional instructions provided by Apple Support to resolve the issue.