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Participant
September 2, 2026
Answered

Creative Cloud desktop app is stuck on the loop of "sign in" and "initializing creative cloud" macOS

  • September 2, 2026
  • 7 replies
  • 110 views

I have spent over 6 hours trying to solve my problem. I updated my Macbook M1 Pro (2021) from macOS Monterey to Sonoma and Creative Cloud wouldn't sign in and open. I did many, many methods via Adobe Community, Reddit, and even Gemini Ai that led to repairing / uninstalling / Adobe Creative Cloud Cleaner Tool / reinstalling,  deletion of files / caches / OOBE (renaming adding .old and deleting as well),  overriding commands through Terminal,  using Command + Option + R,  force-quitting on Activity Monitor,  and upgrading to macOS Sequioa. Still, my Creative Cloud is stuck on the loop of "sign in" and "initializing creative cloud". If you have any clue on how to remedy this, could you please kindly help me out? Thank you thank you.

Correct answer kglad

@sammmmmmmmm 

 

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

 

then uninstall the cc desktop app, https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/help/uninstall-creative-cloud-desktop-app.html 

 

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

 

restart your computer (don't skip this)

 

download the cc desktop app by using the links at the both of this page, https://helpx.adobe.com/download-install/apps/download-install-apps/creative-cloud-apps/download-creative-cloud-desktop-app-using-direct-links.html 

 

install the cc desktop app using an administrator account (solution 4 here, https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/kb/creative-cloud-missing-damaged.html)

 

use the desktop app to install your cc programs/trials

7 replies

Community Expert
September 2, 2026

Give the following a try, uninstall Creative Cloud Desktop app using the Creative Cloud Cleaner tool from Adobe https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/apps/troubleshoot/diagnostics-repair-tools/run-creative-cloud-cleaner-tool.html. Reinstall and then see if things improve.

-Manan
Participant
September 2, 2026

Hello Manan, thank you for the reply--I just updated my post now stating that I have tried this tool already. Multiple times. Would you have any other idea on how to fix this? 🙏 

leo.r
Community Expert
Community Expert
September 2, 2026

try to create a new clean admin account in System Settings > Users & Groups and work from there. will it make a difference?