DaVinci Resolve 20 Unusable – Crashing and Freezing

Hi everyone,
I’m experiencing a critical issue with DaVinci Resolve 20 since updating earlier today in my Macbook Pro M1 Pro.

At first, the software would crash about 10 seconds after opening any project. The interface would freeze — I couldn't scroll through the timeline or interact with anything — and then the program would crash completely. This alone cost me an entire day of work.

Now the situation has worsened. DaVinci Resolve no longer opens any project at all. It freezes on the Project Libraries screen, and when I try to open something, the app becomes totally unresponsive. The only way to close it is by force quitting.

I checked Activity Monitor on my Mac, and Resolve is using over 102% of CPU during this freeze.

This has caused me to miss a deadline for a project that was due today. I’m desperate for a solution or a temporary workaround. Has anyone else experienced something similar? Any advice would be deeply appreciated.

System specs:

DaVinci Resolve 20 (latest public release)

macOS 15.5

MacBook Pro M1 Pro 8 Core 16/512GB (Macbook 18.3)

Thanks in advance.

[Rohit Singhal]

Hello,

Could you please send us your project?

Please review for more details: viewtopic.php?f=21&t=90190

I’m experiencing a critical issue with DaVinci Resolve 20 since updating earlier today in my Macbook Pro M1 Pro.

This has caused me to miss a deadline for a project that was due today.

Never ever update in the middle of a project, particularly ON THE DAY of a deadline! This is valid fo ANY software!

Agreed. Roll back to v19 and use your previously saved v19 version of your project to finish and deliver. Once you are in-between projects, take a stab at upgrading to v20. If you are so inclined, you can provide the project and other info from your crash to BMD so that they can start working on a solution while you finish up your project in v19.

Add - I see you are on macOS 15.5, that may prevent you from working with v19, not sure. When you say you upgraded, from which version did you upgrade?

no issues with macOS 15.5 and 19.4 here.

no issues with macOS 15.5 and 19.4 here.

Well that's good to know, Tony. Thanks for posting.

[Dwaine Maggart]

In addition to the project, we need the Resolve diagnostics log.

Open Finder and navigate to /Library/Application Support/Blackmagic Design/DaVinci Resolve and run the CaptureLogs.app app. This will place a .tgz log file on your Desktop.

Note that this is the root /Library folder, NOT the /Users/user_name/Library folder.

Having exact same issue on Windows 11 Pro. Resolve 20 crashes while relinking files in bin.

Consistently Crashing When Editing , I update this morning, and already crash 5 times. Resolve used to be a very stable software. I always wait for official released and always avoid beta verion. So the official 20 verison is super unstable and crashinh almost every hour. I love resolve because he never crash. But version 20 is not ready yet. Please review your copy

"Me too" won't get you very far, Rahim. Staff need specific info to help, which you can find detailed in the FAQ.

viewtopic.php?f=21&t=90190

I have the same issue, since I updated to Davinci 20 today. unfortunately can't upload my Log file, as it is 0.6 MB heavier than the attachment limit. but here is some text from my CrashLog:

#TIME Mon Jun 2 11:38:33 2025 - Uptime 00:15:19 (hh:mm:ss)
#PROGRAM_NAME DaVinci Resolve Studio v20.0.0.0049 (macOS/Clang arm64)
#BMD_ARCHITECTURE arm64
#BMD_BUILD_UUID 3857fb56-4865-4ef7-ade2-d502d7858a6b
#BMD_GIT_COMMIT 1e03967c993acd58dc825632d02d1b6b54038277
#BMD_UTIL_VERSION 20.0.0.0049
#OS macOS

0 Resolve 0x00000001041eb7f4 _ZN5QHashI7QString15QHashDummyValueE11deleteNode2EPN9QHashData4NodeE + 137504
1 Resolve 0x00000001041eabc0 _ZN5QHashI7QString15QHashDummyValueE11deleteNode2EPN9QHashData4NodeE + 134380
2 libsystem_platform.dylib 0x000000019fca3624 _sigtramp + 56
3 AppKit 0x00000001a3a93d94 -[NSWindow _commonAwake] + 1444
4 AppKit 0x00000001a39b7a90 -[NSWindow _commonInitFrame:styleMask:backing:defer:] + 1024
5 AppKit 0x00000001a39b7330 -[NSWindow _initContent:styleMask:backing:defer:contentView:] + 848
6 AppKit 0x00000001a39b6fd4 -[NSWindow initWithContentRect:styleMask:backing:defer:] + 48
7 AppKit 0x00000001a3ccf694 -[_NSOrderOutAnimationProxyWindow initWithSnapshotOfWindow:] + 320
8 AppKit 0x00000001a3b8cc18 -[_NSWindowTransformAnimation initWithWindow:type:interruptingAnimation:] + 536
9 AppKit 0x00000001a3b8c9e0 +[_NSWindowTransformAnimation windowTransformAnimationWithWindow:type:interruptingAnimation:] + 52
10 AppKit 0x00000001a44e4d2c -[NSWindow _doOrderWindow:] + 708
11 libqcocoa.dylib 0x0000000144588af8 qt_plugin_instance + 75636
12 libQt5Gui.5.dylib 0x000000012cd05a70 _ZN14QWindowPrivate10setVisibleEb + 932
13 libQt5Widgets.5.dylib 0x000000012c201bf4 _ZN14QWidgetPrivate8hide_sysEv + 348
14 libQt5Widgets.5.dylib 0x000000012c203a6c _ZN14QWidgetPrivate11hide_helperEv + 144
15 libQt5Widgets.5.dylib 0x000000012c203ff4 _ZN14QWidgetPrivate10setVisibleEb + 368
16 libQt5Widgets.5.dylib 0x000000012c2cb9b0 _ZN9QComboBox9hidePopupEv + 784
17 libQt5Widgets.5.dylib 0x000000012c2c4f28 _ZN25QComboBoxPrivateContainer11eventFilterEP7QObjectP6QEvent + 384
18 libQt5Core.5.dylib 0x000000012d4e8470 _ZN23QCoreApplicationPrivate29sendThroughObjectEventFiltersEP7QObjectP6QEvent + 264
19 libQt5Widgets.5.dylib 0x000000012c1cca90 _ZN19QApplicationPrivate13notify_helperEP7QObjectP6QEvent + 260
20 libQt5Widgets.5.dylib 0x000000012c1cf418 _ZN12QApplication6notifyEP7QObjectP6QEvent + 5940
21 Resolve 0x000000010770f40c _ZN9QtPrivate11QSlotObjectIM29UiProxyGeneratorFolderWatcherFvRK7QStringENS_4ListIJS4_EEEvE4implEiPNS_15QSlotObjectBaseEP7QObjectPPvPb + 274572
22 libQt5Core.5.dylib 0x000000012d4e8170 _ZN16QCoreApplication15notifyInternal2EP7QObjectP6QEvent + 292
23 libQt5Widgets.5.dylib 0x000000012c1cd350 _ZN19QApplicationPrivate14sendMouseEventEP7QWidgetP11QMouseEventS1_S1_PS1_R8QPointerIS0_Ebb + 820
24 libQt5Widgets.5.dylib 0x000000012c224104 _ZN14QDesktopWidget11qt_metacallEN11QMetaObject4CallEiPPv + 10292
25 libQt5Widgets.5.dylib 0x000000012c222d58 _ZN14QDesktopWidget11qt_metacallEN11QMetaObject4CallEiPPv + 5256
26 libQt5Widgets.5.dylib 0x000000012c1ccab0 _ZN19QApplicationPrivate13notify_helperEP7QObjectP6QEvent + 292
27 libQt5Widgets.5.dylib 0x000000012c1cdf00 _ZN12QApplication6notifyEP7QObjectP6QEvent + 540
28 Resolve 0x000000010770f40c _ZN9QtPrivate11QSlotObjectIM29UiProxyGeneratorFolderWatcherFvRK7QStringENS_4ListIJS4_EEEvE4implEiPNS_15QSlotObjectBaseEP7QObjectPPvPb + 274572
29 libQt5Core.5.dylib 0x000000012d4e8170 _ZN16QCoreApplication15notifyInternal2EP7QObjectP6QEvent + 292
30 libQt5Gui.5.dylib 0x000000012ccfb734 _ZN22QGuiApplicationPrivate17processMouseEventEPN29QWindowSystemInterfacePrivate10MouseEventE + 3104
31 libQt5Gui.5.dylib 0x000000012ccdc878 _ZN22QWindowSystemInterface22sendWindowSystemEventsE6QFlagsIN10QEventLoop17ProcessEventsFlagEE + 248
32 libqcocoa.dylib 0x00000001445a3788 qt_plugin_instance + 185348
33 CoreFoundation 0x000000019fd54de4 __CFRUNLOOP_IS_CALLING_OUT_TO_A_SOURCE0_PERFORM_FUNCTION__ + 28
34 CoreFoundation 0x000000019fd54d78 __CFRunLoopDoSource0 + 172
35 CoreFoundation 0x000000019fd54ae4 __CFRunLoopDoSources0 + 232
36 CoreFoundation 0x000000019fd53738 __CFRunLoopRun + 840
37 CoreFoundation 0x000000019fd52d68 CFRunLoopRunSpecific + 572
38 HIToolbox 0x00000001ab50327c RunCurrentEventLoopInMode + 324
39 HIToolbox 0x00000001ab50631c ReceiveNextEventCommon + 216
40 HIToolbox 0x00000001ab691484 _BlockUntilNextEventMatchingListInModeWithFilter + 76
41 AppKit 0x00000001a39a5ab4 _DPSNextEvent + 684
42 AppKit 0x00000001a4342cd4 -[NSApplication(NSEventRouting) _nextEventMatchingEventMask:untilDate:inMode:dequeue:] + 688
43 AppKit 0x00000001a3bd1cfc -[NSApplication _doModalLoop:peek:] + 216
44 AppKit 0x00000001a3f42558 __33-[NSApplication runModalSession:]_block_invoke_2 + 84
45 AppKit 0x00000001a3f424e8 __33-[NSApplication runModalSession:]_block_invoke + 112
46 AppKit 0x00000001a3bd0114 _NSTryRunModal + 100
47 AppKit 0x00000001a3f423b8 -[NSApplication runModalSession:] + 148
48 libqcocoa.dylib 0x00000001445a24e4 qt_plugin_instance + 180576
49 libQt5Core.5.dylib 0x000000012d4e414c _ZN10QEventLoop4execE6QFlagsINS_17ProcessEventsFlagEE + 520
Signal Number = 10

I'm in a similar situation. Upgraded to 20 and now I'm experiencing crashes constantly. Specifically, if I hover over the smooth cut transition to preview, it instantly crashes. I foolishly didn't make a project backup in version 19 before upgrading, so now I'm stuck working on this project in version 20. I'm at a loss.

Device: MacBook Pro
Size: 14-inch
Year: 2021
Chip: Apple M1 Pro
Memory: 16 GB
macOS Version: Ventura 13.1

[Dwaine Maggart]

@Yazdan: Put the file on a file sharing site and provide a link to the file here. Since you are a new Forum user, it may not allow you to post a URL. If that happens, put a space near the front of the URL so the system doesn't see it as a URL.

@John, Ventura is not a supported Resolve 20 OS version:

Minimum system requirements for Mac OS
macOS 14 Sonoma or later.
8 GB of system memory or 16 GB when using Fusion.
For monitoring, Blackmagic Design Desktop Video 12.9 or later.
Apple Silicon based computer or GPU which supports Metal.

Please update to Sonoma or Sequoia.

@Dwaine, thank you!! That resolved the issue.

Hi @Dwaine

Here is the Link to my Log File:

URL: we.tl/t-bHZQ2uOXuU

I tried a fresh install today, still no chance. I check the Log of my only Video plugin as well, which is Video Village:Filmbox. apparently the crash is not caused by that.

Thanks for the support in advance.
Best,
Yazdan

@Yazdan: Put the file on a file sharing site and provide a link to the file here. Since you are a new Forum user, it may not allow you to post a URL. If that happens, put a space near the front of the URL so the system doesn't see it as a URL.

@John, Ventura is not a supported Resolve 20 OS version:

Minimum system requirements for Mac OS
macOS 14 Sonoma or later.
8 GB of system memory or 16 GB when using Fusion.
For monitoring, Blackmagic Design Desktop Video 12.9 or later.
Apple Silicon based computer or GPU which supports Metal.

Please update to Sonoma or Sequoia.

I am also having trouble with Davinci Resolve crashing all the time i was getting this problem with version 19 also but not as bad. I am a new user so not sure if my specification is the problem or setup.

i have downloaded the log file but do not know where to send it.

Can anyone help?

[Dwaine Maggart]

@Yazdan: Please send a project export .drp for the Ars_Festival highlights project.

@Mark: Put your Resolve diagnostics log file on a file sharing site and provide a link to the file here. Since you are a new Forum user, it may not allow you to post a URL. If that happens, just add a space near the front of the URL so the system doesn't see it as a URL.

Hi, similar issue here on another M1 MacBook Pro, I was able to click on the project but it would freeze at 95%, and would stay that way until I force quit.

I was able to work around it by exporting and re-importing the project.

Specifically, I am running:
2021 MacBook Pro
M1 Max 10/24 core CPU
32GB Ram
Mac OS Sequoia 15.5
Capture log after first few failures attached below

I am using quite a few of the new tools in this project, sometimes on top of each other, so I speculate that may have been a factor. Even after my fix there is a scary pause at 95% so there is something heavy going on with the project.

[Dwaine Maggart]

What's the name of the project causing the issue? And is it in a Local, Network or Cloud project library?

Apologies for the delay, it was Opportunity Int Master 20, and was in my main local project library.

[Dwaine Maggart]

From the logs you provided, that project was opened twice on 6-8, in the morning and in the afternoon.

I don't see a failure to load that project.

You guys have rushed these last two versions out way too quick. 19 wasn't even baked in until 19.1.2.
Perhaps in the future, you could gather a bunch of users that would willingly use a new version for at least a month or two per milestone to keep the community from actively avoiding updating because of how unstable each new version is. How many versions of this before you have a reputation for having janky software? Because, I gotta tell you, this is some janky software at this point. Still have screen splintering when the GPU fills with 19.1.4. Still losing Magic Mask caches, etc, etc...

There's no way I'm upgrading until at least 20.1, which at this pace will be in two months.

I love the idea of the new version but it is not out of beta and I don't appreciate being used as active Guinea pigs to weed out the myriad of common use bugs that are still very apparent.

I've never had any problems to speak of... but then again I don't update until at least two revisions of a new version have been released. It's just commonsense really.

[quote="Dwaine Maggart"]@Yazdan: Please send a project export .drp for the Ars_Festival highlights project.

Hi Dwaine,

Please find the mentioned project under this link:

we.tl/t-4fq1pLCO05

Thanks,
Yazdan

[Dwaine Maggart]

@Yazdan:

The project opens on the LIDO_STAGE timeline. Do you have issues with that timeline? If so, since it only has 5 PNGs and a ProRes clip, can you provide the media for that, so I can see what it does on my M1 Pro MBP?

I'm wondering if the weird 1248x1664 resolution of the ProRes clip might be related to the issue.

From the logs you provided, that project was opened twice on 6-8, in the morning and in the afternoon.

I don't see a failure to load that project.

Apologies, if you cant see anything for the 9/6/25 than force quitting the program must have meant those sessions weren't logged.

I can give another anecdotal update that the project has worked fine since I exported and re-imported, but I don't have anything more technical than that to contribute, sorry.