My composition window freezes, I can still make edits and it doesn't crash but I cant see what I'm doing

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, I also have tried changing my drivers and that hasn’t worked. 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. 

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