After Effects composition freezing issue

Hi everyone,

I have been having this issue with after effects that has confused my professors and I. I will be editing on the app and eventually the preview panel will freeze. Not only on the frame but when I try to start the preview it will go forward a frame and stop. Even when I switch to a different composition it will only show that frame and nothing else. When I do try to edit anyways I can’t see the edits I am making but when I come back to the project they are still there. On top of this I tried starting a completely new project without restarting after effects and even though the composition is blank it still shows the frame from my previous project. I purged my cache, restarted after effects and my computer, reset preferences, and tried uninstalling and reinstalling the current version along with the one directly prior. My professors have never seen anything like this. The app doesn’t crash but literally just freezes the preview. I haven't been able to make any progress on my projects and midterms are coming up so anything would be helpful. I do not have any third party plug-ins because I am not allowed to for my classes. 

After Effects 25.6

Device specifications:

Processor intel core ultra 9

Installed RAM 32 GB (31.4 usable)

Device ID 9B2F55E3-2F0F-4851-B3D2-9C9B9E5689B8

Product ID 00342-21570-60579-AAOEM

System Type 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor

Edition Windows 11 Home

Version 25H2

Installed on 1/20/2026

OS build 26200.7623

Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.26100.275.0