InDesign Known Issues Hub: See Workarounds, Vote on Priorities

InDesign Known Issues - [September 2026]

This post will be updated as issues are confirmed, workarounds are identified, or fixes are released. Please upvote the issues affecting you most—your feedback will help inform the team’s prioritization alongside broader product considerations.

HOW TO USE THIS POST

• Use the links for the issues in the description to go to the original conversation and use vote button on the post or reply "+1 [Issue ID]" here so we can gauge impact.

• If you’re issue is not listed here. First ensure that you update to our latest version of InDesign (check: https://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/desktop/whats-new/release-notes.html).
  If the issue still persists, comment below with the InDesign Version, steps to reproduce the behavior, Video recording/error screenshot, package of the document, and operating system.

• Subscribe/follow this post for updates as statuses change.

• Do not open a duplicate thread for issues already listed below. Reply on the original post instead, by going to it using the links available here.

RECENTLY RESOLVED ISSUES

DETAILED ISSUE REPORTS

ID-01: InDesign 21.x does not launch after Windows update due to corrupt VCRuntime

Current Status: Confirmed/In testing - External (Dependent on Microsoft)

Affected versions: 21.0 and later. Does not affect 20.x versions

Affected platforms: Windows

Description:

InDesign fails to launch or crashes on startup due to corrupted VCRuntime files after a Windows update.

Workaround:

1. Repairing the VC installed or manually installing VCRuntime v14.50.35719 resolves this issue. Before you begin, close all applications on your system.
   (https://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/desktop/troubleshoot/launch-and-crash-issues/launch-issues-windows-update.html)

If you are experiencing similar issues with InDesign on your computer, please upvote this community post (https://community.adobe.com/questions-671/indesign-v21-not-starting-after-update-win-11-897997?postid=7505433#post7505433) and share the required logs.

ID-02: InDesign 21.3 / 21.2 freezes with spinning cursor when placing or updating placed files

Current Status: Investigating - Workaround available

Affected versions: 21.2 and later

Affected platforms: Windows

Description:

InDesign intermittently freezes while placing files or updating placed files. The cursor gets stuck in a spinning/loading state, and the document may still respond partially, but the page editing area becomes unusable. In some reports, the app cannot be closed normally and requires a force quit.

Workaround:

1. Disable the two Generative AI options in InDesign Preferences.

2. If the issue persists, please use to InDesign 21.1.

If you are experiencing similar issues with InDesign on your computer, please upvote this community post (https://community.adobe.com/questions-671/indesign-21-3-freezes-with-endless-loading-cursor-when-placing-images-on-windows-11-1560065) and share the required logs.

ID-03: Undo/Redo disabled and History panel empty in InDesign 21.2 on macOS

Current Status: Confirmed (Reproducible internally) - Workaround Available

Affected versions: 21.2 and later

Affected platforms: macOS

Description:

On macOS, InDesign 21.2 and later, the undo/redo buttons stay greyed out, and the History panel remains empty even after editing a document. The issue may temporarily resolve after restarting the app or the system.

Workaround:

1. Use to InDesign 21.1. 

2. If needed, restart the application or system to temporarily restore functionality.

3. Few users have been able to fix this by disabling the Generative AI options in InDesign preferences.

If you are experiencing similar issues with InDesign on your computer, please upvote this community post (https://community.adobe.com/questions-671/indesign-21-2-undo-greyed-out-and-history-panel-blank-on-macos-tahoe-and-ventura-1551926) and share the required logs.

SUBMITTING A NEW ISSUE

If your issue isn't listed above, kindly reply to this thread with the following details:

• Title: A short summary of the issue

• The version of the OS and InDesign installed

• Steps to reproduce the behavior or problem

• Expected vs. actual behavior

• Screenshots or a brief screen recording (if applicable)

• Any workaround you've found

This information may help the team assess the problem, and the confirmed issues will reflect in the index above.

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