AME CC 17 won't encode/render - freezes, crashes, not responding

Have not been able to use AME in the last two days. IF I can get it to open, and IF it doesn't freeze and go unresponsive immediately, it will only render halfway (if that) through a AE clip before stopping and the time remaining goes up infinitely. If I don't keep AME as the top window, it will stop encoding at whatever point I click on another window.

Additionally, After Effects is facing similar issues. Regularly goes unresponsive and crashes/freezes, often within minutes of opening.

I've tried updating drivers, etc. My computer is brand new (2016) top of the line specs. ($2k)