After effects showing the spinning rainbow wheel when I add more than a few footage files

[Lily27263945ij5o]

I have after effects 2021 on my mac Macbook Pro and have been using it with no problems for almost 3 years. Since yesterday, whenever I add more than a few videos/ pictures to my project and then try to move them using keyframes or dragging, it will lock up or show the rainbow spinning wheel even when in quarter resolution. I am unable to upgrade my after effects and I tried clearing my cache and deleting footage but nothing helps. Not sure what to do please help!

[nishu_kush]

Hi Lily,

Sorry for your issue.

What are your system specifications (CPU, GPU, RAM, OS version)? Which device was used to record the footage? A variable frame rate media can cause such issues that you described. Here are more details: https://community.adobe.com/t5/premiere-pro-discussions/faq-issues-with-screen-recorded-footage-in-p...

https://community.adobe.com/t5/premiere-pro-discussions/faq-how-to-work-with-variable-frame-rate-vfr...

In short, if you're working with variable frame rate media, it's best to transcode them before importing them in Ae.

Let us know how it goes.

Thanks,

Nishu