Photo Booth Freezes When Recording Video? 6 Workable Solutions

Jane Zhou updated on Jun 28, 2024 to EaseUS RecExperts

Learn how to fix photo booth freezes when recording video issues with the help of simple fixes. Also, find a more intuitive, and feature-rich tool to record your Mac screen in HD quality.

"I am recording videos using the Photo Booth, but it is constantly freezing right from the start. And sometimes, when I press the stop recording button, I am seeing the "spinning wheel of death." I have been forced to quit the application a few times, and after checking the Photo Booth tray, I do not have any recording material." - From Apple Discussion

Photo Booth is a resource-intensive application that takes up a lot of storage. Suppose your photo booth freezes when recording video or the Photo Booth is not recording video properly. In that case, you can work around some simple fixes to resolve the issue and record again.

Why Does Photo Booth Keep Freezing

Before moving on to the fixes, it is crucial to know why Photo Booth freezes when you try to record. Though Mac is seamless when it comes to handling resource-intensive apps, some apps seem to act up sometimes.

  • 🎯Temporary software glitches.
  • 🎉Running many resource-intensive apps at once.
  • 🕵️‍♂️Insufficient storage space.
  • 🎞️Microphone or Camera permissions.
  • 🎆Hardware issues with the Camera.
  • ✨Outdated OS or the app.

How to Fix Photo Booth Freezing While Recording Video

Try the fixes below if your Photo Booth freezes constantly while recording videos on a Mac or iPad.

Method 1: Restart the Mac and Record Again

A simple restart can work wonders on any electronic device. If you have minor glitches or software errors concerning the Photo Booth recording video or audio, you can fix them. Also, restart stops all the other running applications to allocate enough resources to Photo Booth.

Step 1. Click the Apple Icon at the top of your screen. 

Step 2. From the drop-down menu, click on Restart to restart the Mac.

If you wish to use the Keyboard, click the Control and eject button( key with the upward arrow in the top row) at once. Click on Restart in the popup window, and wait for a few seconds for the Mac to restart. 

Spread out this post to help more people who have the same problem with Photo Booth!

 

Method 2: Check the Mac storage

The built-in Mac webcam recorder, Photo Booth, takes up a huge memory to record videos, especially for high-quality videos. If you do have enough storage, you will see the Photo Booth freezing or giving errors. Here's how you can check storage on a Mac.

Step 1. Click the Apple Logo on the screen.

Step 2. Select the About This Mac from the drop-down options.

Step 3. Click on Storage. You will see a graph bar showing the various categories. Just beside the storage icon, you can see the available space on your Mac.

Step 4. If there is very little storage, it is probably the reason why you are unable to find the video. Remove the unwanted files by clicking on Manage and record again.

Method 3: Verify the Camera and Microphone permissions

Apple offers excellent privacy and security to users. To restrict the microphone and camera usage by the external apps, you have to give them access. Apps like Photo Booth and QuickTime Player are built-in tools, so they have unrestricted access. However, due to some issues, the app might get restricted. 

Step 1. Open the System Preferences on the device.

Step 2. Select the Security and Privacy option from the System Preferences.

Step 3. Click on the Privacy tab, select the Camera icon, and open it.

Step 4. Check for the Photo Booth app in the list. If it is not added, click on the padlock at the bottom and add the app.

Step 5. Repeat the same for the microphone, and ensure you have permission for both to record smoothly.

Method 4: Update the Mac

Outdated or faulty OS may result in the Photo Booth not recording. To fix such issues, Apple releases updates, so you can try updating the macOS to resolve the issue.

Step 1. Navigate to the System Preferences on your Mac. 

Step 2. Click on the Software Update from the window. 

Step 3. If the system detects the automatic updates, it will display them. Click on Upgrade Now to download them.

Method 5: Contact Apple Support

If you are unable to record or the photo booth freezes when recording video, it can also be due to a Camera or hardware issue. Check if the Camera is working for the other applications and make a decision about contacting Apple Customer Support. Hardware issues can be a little complex for us to resolve, so seeking a professional's help is required.

Method 6:  Use a Photo Booth Alternative 

If the Photo Booth is not working or freezes abruptly, and you cannot fix it, you can take the help of EaseUS RecExperts to record your camera and screen.

Photo Booth can only record your webcam and offers no features to record internal audio on Mac. If you want to record your screen with a webcam overlay along with both microphone and system audio, this Mac screen recorder is the best Photo Booth alternative.

With multiple screen recording options and a webcam, you can capture your screen in 4K/8K HD quality. The additional help you remove unwanted noise, edit the video, and add highlights to your video. Unlike the Photo Booth, this software offers the flexibility of exporting the video in various formats. Download the software now, and record your webcam and screen.

Final Words

While iOS apps are quite efficient, they sometimes tend to falter. Photo Booth is the Apple native recording tool, but if the photo booth freezes when recording video, there is an underlying issue causing this. Learn the possible reasons and fixes to resolve the Photo Booth freezing or not recording.

If the issue persists, the best way to record your screen is EaseUS RecExperts. You can access flexible screen recording options with excellent features to make professional videos. 

Photo Booth Keeps Freezing While Recording FAQs

Here are some of the most frequent FAQs asked on Photo Booth freezes when recording video. I hope you find these queries helpful. 

1. Why is my Photo Booth video not working on Mac?

If the Photo Booth video is not working on Mac, it could be due to reasons like software glitches, outdated software or apps, insufficient storage, hardware issues, and media restrictions. You can try to fix it by updating the app or restarting the Mac. 

2. Why can't I record a video on Photo Booth?

Outdated software or privacy reasons can stop you from recording a video on the photo booth. Check if you have the required permissions and the latest software update to start recording using the Photo Booth.

3. Why can't I record on my Macbook?

If you are unable to record on the Macbook, it could be due to restricted access to the Camera. To enable the camera access, navigate to the Apple menu > System Settings > Privacy & Security. Here, find the Microphone section and enable access to the software.