Creative Cloud freezes Apple Mail with amok fontd process

Question

Lately I have been getting Apple Mail crashes when replying or starting a new mail. Mail freezes.

The cause I found is the fontd process taking up a lot of processor time for like 10-15 minutes on startup. If I wait it out to stop running so processor intensive mail is ok.

Adobe Creative Cloud is the culprit. If i don't have creative cloud open on startup, no fontd process, no problem.

I have completely removed CC, with the Adobe CC Cleaner Tool, and reinstalled. This helps for a day or so and then it begins again.

The only solution I have found is to run this in Terminal on every start-up:

sudo atsutil databases -remove; atsutil server -shutdown

This kills the fontd process and everything runs fine after that.

But I don't want to have to do this every startup.

kglad · Answer

if the above does not help:

reset the cc desktop app by making sure it's in the foreground, then press:

Win: Ctrl + Alt + R
Mac: Cmd + Opt + R

if that fails, repair per https://helpx.adobe.com/download-install/kb/creative-cloud-install-stuck.html

if that fails and you have windows, open your control panel > add/remove programs > cc desktop app > repair

if that fails, uninstall using the correct uninstaller from https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/help/uninstall-creative-cloud-desktop-app.html#sa_src=web-messaging and then reinstall using*

if that fails, do a clean cc install carefully following each applicable step:

uninstall every cc app including preferences per https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/help/uninstall-remove-app.html

then uninstall the cc desktop app, again using the correct uninstaller per https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/help/uninstall-creative-cloud-desktop-app.html#sa_src=web-messaging

clean your computer of cc files per http://www.adobe.com/support/contact/cscleanertool.html

check for, and if available, update your os

if windows is your os, repair all ms visual c++ versions that can be repaired (use google if you don't know how to do this)

if windows is your os update your ms visual c++, if it can be updated (use google if you don't know how to do this)

restart your computer (don't skip this)

reinstall the cc desktop app using the "alternative download links" at the bottom of the page at https://helpx.adobe.com/download-install/kb/creative-cloud-desktop-app-download.html

use the desktop app to install your cc programs/trials>

if that fails, you probably have a corrupt user account. google your os and how to create a new one.

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