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Participant
August 29, 2025

After Effects Warning - Sytem returned -1

  • August 29, 2025
  • 2 replies
  • 425 views

 

  • Issue - I created a new comp within a file to play around with video color. When I clicked back to the original composition, I got the error as seen in the screenshot. I cannot continue, and am essentially forced to close AE. Opening that comp at all results in the same error. 
  • Steps to reproduce - I am not sure what caused this issue. I updated AE, and had the issue out of nowhere. 
  • Adobe After Effects version - 25.4
  • Operating system - Mac Sonoma 14.7.7
  • Steps I have tried to fix 
  • Reverting back to an older version of AE
  • Opening an older version of the file before the error happened
  • Sent the file to another person, had them save it, then sent it back. Did not work.
  • Restarted the computer after updating
  • Tried deleting Comp 1 to only have the problem composition left.
  • Tried deleting the last added files to the project. 
  • Tried opening with the caps lock on
  • Comparative information  
    • I was able to complete another project without issues. But other projects completely freeze AE and I have to force quit.
    • Does it affect new projects? 
    • The issue started right after I updated AE. I have tried reverting back to older versions, but the issue persists.

2 replies

Participant
September 3, 2025

System Returned -1 on attempt to open or import any previous project 

Version 25.3.1 (Build 3) 

Mac Sequoia 15.5 

Tried reseting prefs and cache 

Kevin J. Monahan Jr.
Community Manager
Community Manager
August 29, 2025

Hi Jennifer,

Welcome to the forum. Thanks for your post. Start with resetting preferences and cache, try importing the comp into a new file, and disable GPU acceleration. For persistently inaccessible files, please contact us. Ask for the video queue. Sorry for the issue.

 

Thanks,
Kevin

 

Kevin Monahan - Sr. Community and Engagement Strategist – Adobe Pro Video and Audio