Final Cut Pro Export Failed Error (-536870181, -41561, 10004)

How to fix it

Try these in order — the most common fix is first.

1. 1. Delete generated render files

   Copy steps
   1. Select the library in the sidebar
   2. Choose File > Delete Generated Library Files
   3. Select Delete All Render Files, then click OK
   4. Re-run the export
   Did this fix it? Yes No

2. 2. Find the failing frame

   Copy steps
   1. Set the timecode display to frames in the viewer
   2. Look for the frame named in the error and play around it
   3. Replace, re-import or cut out the bad clip; or transcode it via File > Transcode Media > Create optimized media
   Did this fix it? Yes No

3. 3. Free disk space

   Copy steps
   1. Check that the system drive has at least 20% free
   2. Move or delete old renders and caches
   3. Retry the export
   Did this fix it? Yes No

4. 4. Try a different format or export from the browser

   Copy steps
   1. Restart the Mac and Final Cut Pro
   2. Select the project in the browser without opening it and export from there
   3. If one format fails, try H.264 or ProRes instead
   Did this fix it? Yes No

5. 5. PNG workaround for FCP 12.3 on M4

   Copy steps
   1. If an export fails only when a PNG is in the project, resize the PNG so its canvas height is a multiple of 16 pixels
   2. Re-import it and export again
   Did this fix it? Yes No

Symptoms

The share operation fails with a dialog or an error code such as -536870181, -41561, -41562, -536870186 or 10004 renderVideoFrame failed, often partway through.

Why it happens

• Corrupted render files
• Damaged or fragmented source clip
• Less than about 20% free space on the system drive
• Problem media such as a PNG on certain M-series Macs in 12.3
• Codec-specific failure (some users see it mostly with ProRes)

This guide also covers

• final cut pro export failed
• final cut pro error -536870181
• final cut pro error 10004 renderVideoFrame failed
• final cut pro share failed

The same problem in other apps

All export, render & quality loss guides →

• DaVinci Resolve Render Job Failed Error (DaVinci Resolve)
• Premiere Pro Export Failed, Frozen or Stuck (Adobe Premiere Pro)
• LumaFusion Export Failed or Crashes During Export (LumaFusion)
• CapCut Export Failed Error (CapCut)

Other Final Cut Pro errors

• Final Cut Pro Not Responding (Beach Ball Freeze)
• Final Cut Pro Missing or Offline Media (Red Warning)
• Final Cut Pro Playback Dropping Frames or Stuttering
• Final Cut Pro Library Won't Open or Is Damaged
• How to Cancel Final Cut Pro Subscription (Creator Studio & iPad)