after effect not responding when open preferences

If resetting the preferences doesn't work, make sure to update your GPU driver. It has helped users in such cases.

Let us know the outcome.

Thanks,

Nishu

I've had this from time to time.  It's possible that the preferences file is stored on a network share so the file is struggling to be accessed, but the more likely explanation is that there's some gone wrong with the file.

Either way, the first approach to solve this is to reset / trash your preferences file.  This page talks you through it:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/after-effects-discussions/faq-how-to-reset-trash-preferences-in-after-effects/td-p/10634342#:~:text=Here%20is%20how%20you%20can,Startup%20Repair%20Options%20dialogue%20box.

https://youtu.be/oXHgx1iuQR0?si=SJva5vtXVNwtVB87