As a default macOS program, QuickTime Player is popular for its straightforward interface and diverse features. Many Mac users rely on it to play videos, record audio, and even capture screen recordings without installing extra software. However, like any program, QuickTime is not immune to occasional glitches.
One particularly frustrating problem that Mac users encounter is the error message: “QuickTime Player encountered an error while recording your screen.”
This issue often appears when you try to start or stop a recording, and it can interrupt important projects like tutorials, gameplay captures, or business presentations. The error can happen for several reasons — from software conflicts to insufficient permissions — but the good news is that there are effective ways to fix it.
In this article, we’ll cover:
- Why QuickTime shows this error
- Step-by-step solutions to resolve it
- An easy, reliable alternative to QuickTime for screen recording
By the end, you’ll have a clear plan to get your screen recordings working again, or even upgrade to a better, hassle-free tool.
1. How to Resolve “QuickTime Player Encountered an Error While Recording Your Screen”?
This error usually points to a problem with permissions, temporary cache files, or a bug in the macOS system. Below are several troubleshooting steps you can try, starting with the easiest solutions.
1.1 Restart Your Mac
Sometimes, QuickTime’s recording feature stops working due to temporary glitches in macOS. Restarting your Mac can refresh background processes and clear minor bugs.
How to do it:
點選 Apple menu in the top-left corner > Select Restart > Once your Mac reboots, open QuickTime Player and try recording again.
1.2 Check Screen Recording Permissions
Since macOS Catalina , Apple requires explicit permission for apps to record your screen. If QuickTime doesn’t have the right permissions, you’ll get an error.
How to enable permissions:
- Within 系統設定 , access Privacy & Security > 螢幕錄製 and make sure QuickTime 播放器 is turned on.
- If it’s already enabled, toggle it off, then back on.
- Restart QuickTime Player and try recording again.
1.3 Free Up Disk Space
If your Mac’s storage is nearly full, QuickTime may fail to save screen recordings and throw an error.
How to check storage:
- Click the Apple icon, select About This Mac , and go to Storage 。
- If your available space is low, delete unnecessary files, empty the Trash, or move large items to external storage.
1.4 Close Other Screen Recording or Video Apps
If you have other recording tools running in the background (e.g., OBS Studio, Zoom, Teams, or Loom), they may conflict with QuickTime’s screen capture process.
Fix: Close all other apps that could be accessing your screen or camera, then relaunch QuickTime.
1.5 Reset QuickTime Preferences
Corrupt QuickTime preference files can cause recording errors. Resetting them might solve the problem.
How to reset:
- Quit QuickTime Player > Open 發現者 , press Command + Shift + G , and type: ~/Library/Preferences/
- Search for files starting with com.apple.QuickTimePlayerX.plist and place them in the Trash folder.
- Restart QuickTime Player and test recording again.
1.6 Update macOS
Apple often fixes QuickTime-related bugs in macOS updates. If you’re running an outdated version, updating might resolve the issue.
How to update:
- Go to your Mac’s 系統設定 ， 選擇 General , and then click Software Update to ensure your system is up to date.
- Install any available updates and restart your Mac.
If you’ve tried all these steps and QuickTime still shows the error, you might be dealing with a deeper macOS issue. In that case, rather than wasting more time troubleshooting, you may want to switch to a more reliable screen recording tool.
2. Try the Best Easy-to-Use Screen Recorder — Recordit
While QuickTime Player is handy for basic tasks, it lacks advanced recording options, and errors like the one discussed can halt your workflow. If you need a fast, dependable, and feature-rich screen recorder, Swyshare Recordit is a great choice.
為什麼 Recordit Stands Out:
- Start recording instantly without navigating through multiple menus.
- Capture crisp videos in HD or Full HD without lag.
- Quick export recording in popular formats.
- One-click take still screenhots from screen.
- Work smoothly on both Windows and macOS.
- Minimal impact on system resources – perfect for long recordings.
如何使用 Recordit :
- 下載 Recordit ’s Mac version from its official website, and finish the installation process.
- Launch the program and choose your preferred recording settings, e.g. input resources, output resolution, format and file folder.
- Select the area of the screen you want to record, then start recording and perform the actions you want to capture.
- Click Stop Recording when finished, your recording will be saved automatically and ready to share or edit.
三、結論
The “QuickTime Player encountered an error while recording your screen” message can be caused by permission settings, storage issues, software conflicts, or corrupted preferences. In most cases, you can fix it by restarting your Mac, enabling screen recording permissions, closing conflicting apps, or resetting QuickTime settings.
However, if QuickTime continues to give you trouble, switching to a reliable and user-friendly alternative like Recordit is often the smartest move. With its simple interface and high-quality output, Recordit ensures you can focus on your recording — not on troubleshooting errors.
So, whether you’re creating tutorials, recording meetings, or capturing gameplay, Recordit offers the hassle-free experience that QuickTime sometimes fails to deliver.