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Captivating_Sunflowerc6b7
Participant
September 14, 2026
Question

Adobe preview/playback buffering

  • September 14, 2026
  • 2 replies
  • 16 views

currently my project is just two solid layers and two text layers with no animation, my preview resolution is set to third. Despite this when I want to playback the project by pressing the space bar it just buffers/freezes and cant seem to play it back for me. 

I have cleared the media disk cache very often and even made it so it will use my ssd to store cache instead of my local drive? 

For context I have a macbook pro 2019 which I recently updated to Tahoe? its an intel core aswell which ive heard might not be good for adobe? as you can tell idk much and am not a tech person im just a graphic design graduate tryna develop my skills and get a job in this crazy job market.

anyways, if anyone could help me figure out how to fix this/make my ae run a bit smoother it would be great thanks! 

2 replies

adventurous_Fluttere400
Participating Frequently
September 15, 2026

Have you tried lowering the preview resolution further and checking whether the issue happens in a new empty project? That could help determine if the problem is with the project or the system.

Nishu Kushwaha
Community Manager
Nishu KushwahaCommunity Manager
Community Manager
September 14, 2026

Hi, welcome to After Effects community.


Project this simple should be previewed in real time, especially when there is no animation. A couple of things that'd help me suggest the troubleshooting:

- Your exact AE version (Help > About).

- What are your system specs (CPU, RAM)?

- Can you try running After Effects in Safe Mode and see if it works any better? Here's how: https://adobe.ly/4reDR2n

Let me know.


Thanks,

Nishu

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