My adobe premiere elements 2018 keeps crashing when I import files. Can anyone assist me?

The onscreen Render button is the same as pressing Enter while you are editing.  Doing either tells PrE to re-create the preview files.  The preview files are what you see during editing, not what is created at final output.   

Related is why or when you need new preview files.  Basically, if editing is going smoothly, you don't need them because your computer is keeping up with the task.  If editing is balky, new preview files may be needed.   PrE provides an indicator to help.  If there is a yellow (or amber/orange) line above the timeline it is a signal that new previews may be needed.  The line shows up frequently when you add transition, effects or make adjustments.  

If there is a yellow line above the timeline at the beginning of your work, it means there is a mismatch between source footage and project settings.  

In other words, if the resolution changes from timeline rendering, it is because your computer needs less complex files for the project.  The output should not be effected.  That is done more slowly and controlled by output settings.  

Hi Bill, I'm basically just clicking the "Render" button on the screen.   I assume correct...?

"my next problem is that when rendering videos, I'm losing resolution.  Any suggestions for this new problem?"

Need more detail about how you are "rendering videos".

Bill

Hi and thanks for your reply.  I did check the phone settings and they are set to the H.264 setting.  What happened recently is that I did end up making contact with someone at adobe via chat, and we updated some driver settings, which seem to have made a big difference. However now my next problem is that when rendering videos, I'm losing resolution.  Any suggestions for this new problem?

Without knowing more, I would guess that there is a mismatch between the smart phone video format and the capabilities of Premiere Elements.   Some phones record using a codec called H.265 or HEVC.  They may also record in what is called a "variable frame rate".  Neither of those work in version 2018.    The newest version 2020 has included better support for those two things.   You can download, install and try the new version for free.  

Another way to fix it is to set your phone to a more common format.  I think iPhones call it a "compatibility" setting.  You are looking for a setting that uses H.264, fixed frame rate and 1920x1080 HD.   I may sound complicated, but that is a VERY standard setting across most cameras.