Creative Cloud stuck on initializing

Question

I can access other installed apps like Lightroom, Photoshop… but I have to log in to those apps individually. Moreover, without access to Creative Cloud, I cannot update or install other Adobe apps that are not previously installed on my comuter.

My Creative Cloud has been like this for over a month now, it would get stuck at “initializing Creative Cloud” then continues to load until it exits and display the above message. I have tried a numerous fix but none solves the problem, including:

- Click “repair” (it gets stuck in a loop of downloading, installing then goes back to the pop-up again) (Popup in attached image)

- Uninstall from Windows settings then reinstall

- Uninstall using the uninstaller then reinstall

- Used AdobeCreativeCloudCleanerTool then reinstall

- Reinstall VC_redistx64 2015-2022

- Run “sfc /scannow” and “DISM” multiple times without any errors

Attached image is Adobe service terminated unexpectedly in event viewer.

Here is the log from installers from the last attempt to reinstall Creative Cloud:

-------------------------------------- Summary --------------------------------------

1 fatal error(s), 0 error(s), 0 warnings(s)

FATAL: Error occurred in uninstall product workflow with error code 130 error message

1 fatal error(s), 0 error(s), 0 warnings(s)

FATAL: Error occurred in uninstall product workflow with error code 130 error message

04/17/25 14:29:52:207 | [INFO] | 55496 | HDSetup | HDPIM | HDPIMSessionManager | | HDPIM | 9972 | Inside hdpimTerminateSession
04/17/25 14:29:52:207 | [INFO] | 55496 | HDSetup | HDPIM | WorkFlowManager | | HDPIM | 9972 | Repair workflow will be run after uninstall for product COSY
04/17/25 14:29:52:210 | [INFO] | 55496 | HDSetup | HDPIM | HDPIMSession | | HDPIM | 9972 | Running repair workflow for SAPCode: COSY, Version 7.4.0, Platform: win32
04/17/25 14:29:52:211 | [INFO] | 55496 | HDSetup | HDPIM | ApplicationManager | | HDPIM | 24568 | Populating repair data from database HDPIM.db
04/17/25 14:29:52:213 | [INFO] | 55496 | HDSetup | HDPIM | HDPIMDBHelper | | HDPIM | 24568 | Install Directory2 received from the DB(DBHelper) is C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Adobe Sync
04/17/25 14:29:52:213 | [INFO] | 55496 | HDSetup | HDPIM | ProductInfo | | HDPIM | 24568 | Install Directory received from the DB is C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Adobe Sync
04/17/25 14:29:52:242 | [INFO] | 55496 | HDSetup | HDPIM | HDPIMDBHelper | | HDPIM | 24568 | Install Directory2 received from the DB(DBHelper) is C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Adobe Sync
04/17/25 14:29:52:244 | [INFO] | 55496 | HDSetup | HDPIM | HDPIMDBHelper | | HDPIM | 24568 | Install Directory2 received from the DB(DBHelper) is C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Adobe Sync
04/17/25 14:29:52:246 | [INFO] | 55496 | HDSetup | HDPIM | HDPIMDBHelper | | HDPIM | 24568 | Install Directory2 received from the DB(DBHelper) is C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Adobe Sync
04/17/25 14:29:52:249 | [INFO] | 55496 | HDSetup | HDPIM | HDPIMDBHelper | | HDPIM | 24568 | Install Directory2 received from the DB(DBHelper) is C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Adobe Sync
04/17/25 14:29:52:251 | [INFO] | 55496 | HDSetup | HDPIM | HDPIMDBHelper | | HDPIM | 24568 | Install Directory2 received from the DB(DBHelper) is C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Adobe Sync
04/17/25 14:29:52:253 | [INFO] | 55496 | HDSetup | HDPIM | HDPIMDBHelper | | HDPIM | 24568 | Install Directory2 received from the DB(DBHelper) is C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Adobe Sync
04/17/25 14:29:52:255 | [INFO] | 55496 | HDSetup | HDPIM | ApplicationManager | | HDPIM | 24568 | Acquired product specific lock for SAPCode: COSY
04/17/25 14:29:52:256 | [INFO] | 55496 | HDSetup | HDPIM | ApplicationManager | | HDPIM | 24568 | Sorting packages to repair
04/17/25 14:29:52:256 | [INFO] | 55496 | HDSetup | HDPIM | ApplicationManager | | HDPIM | 24568 | Selecting packages to Repair
04/17/25 14:29:52:256 | [INFO] | 55496 | HDSetup | HDPIM | ApplicationManager | | HDPIM | 24568 | Package (Name: CoreSyncInstaller Version: 7.4.0.31) selected for Repair
04/17/25 14:29:52:256 | [INFO] | 55496 | HDSetup | HDPIM | ApplicationManager | | HDPIM | 24568 | Package (Name: CoreSyncExtensionInstaller Version: 7.4.0.31) selected for Repair
04/17/25 14:29:52:256 | [INFO] | 55496 | HDSetup | HDPIM | ApplicationManager | | HDPIM | 24568 | Package (Name: LiveType Version: 7.4.0.31) selected for Repair
04/17/25 14:29:52:256 | [INFO] | 55496 | HDSetup | HDPIM | ApplicationManager | | HDPIM | 24568 | Package (Name: ExchangePlugin Version: 7.4.0.31) selected for Repair
04/17/25 14:29:52:256 | [INFO] | 55496 | HDSetup | HDPIM | ApplicationManager | | HDPIM | 24568 | Package (Name: CoreSyncExtensionUninstaller Version: 7.4.0.31) selected for Repair
04/17/25 14:29:52:256 | [INFO] | 55496 | HDSetup | HDPIM | ApplicationManager | | HDPIM | 24568 | Package (Name: CoreSyncUninstaller Version: 7.4.0.31) selected for Repair
04/17/25 14:29:52:256 | [INFO] | 55496 | HDSetup | HDPIM | WorkFlowManager | | HDPIM | 24568 | Win32 Runtimes to install: VC10,VC11,VC12,VC14,VC14.1
04/17/25 14:29:52:256 | [INFO] | 55496 | HDSetup | HDPIM | WorkFlowManager | | HDPIM | 24568 | Win64 Runtimes to install: VC10,VC11,VC12,VC14,VC14.1
04/17/25 14:29:52:256 | [INFO] | 55496 | HDSetup | HDPIM | WorkFlowManager | | HDPIM | 24568 | runtime installer custom hook exe could not be found at path C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\Adobe Desktop Common\Runtime\customhook\RuntimeCustomHook.exe
04/17/25 14:29:52:256 | [INFO] | 55496 | HDSetup | HDPIM | WorkFlowManager | | HDPIM | 24568 | Time taken to install VC runtimes : 0 secs
04/17/25 14:29:52:256 | [INFO] | 55496 | HDSetup | HDPIM | TaskManager | | HDPIM | 49552 | Starting 'REPAIR' task for Package (Name: CoreSyncInstaller Version: 7.4.0.31)
04/17/25 14:29:52:350 | [INFO] | 55496 | HDSetup | OOBEUtils | FileUtils | | OOBEUtils | 49552 | Failed to remove directory C:\adobeTemp Error 145
04/17/25 14:29:52:350 | [INFO] | 55496 | HDSetup | HDPIM | TaskManager | | HDPIM | 49552 | Completed 'REPAIR' task for Package (Name: CoreSyncInstaller Version: 7.4.0.31), Time taken '0' sec
04/17/25 14:29:52:350 | [INFO] | 55496 | HDSetup | HDPIM | TaskManager | | HDPIM | 49552 | Starting 'REPAIR' task for Package (Name: CoreSyncExtensionInstaller Version: 7.4.0.31)
04/17/25 14:29:52:387 | [INFO] | 55496 | HDSetup | OOBEUtils | FileUtils | | OOBEUtils | 49552 | Failed to remove directory C:\adobeTemp Error 145
04/17/25 14:29:52:388 | [INFO] | 55496 | HDSetup | HDPIM | TaskManager | | HDPIM | 49552 | Completed 'REPAIR' task for Package (Name: CoreSyncExtensionInstaller Version: 7.4.0.31), Time taken '0' sec
04/17/25 14:29:52:388 | [INFO] | 55496 | HDSetup | HDPIM | TaskManager | | HDPIM | 49552 | Starting 'REPAIR' task for Package (Name: LiveType Version: 7.4.0.31)
04/17/25 14:29:52:388 | [INFO] | 55496 | HDSetup | OOBEUtils | FileUtils | | OOBEUtils | 49552 | Failed to remove directory C:\adobeTemp Error 145
04/17/25 14:29:52:388 | [INFO] | 55496 | HDSetup | HDPIM | TaskManager | | HDPIM | 49552 | Completed 'REPAIR' task for Package (Name: LiveType Version: 7.4.0.31), Time taken '0' sec
04/17/25 14:29:52:388 | [INFO] | 55496 | HDSetup | HDPIM | TaskManager | | HDPIM | 49552 | Starting 'REPAIR' task for Package (Name: ExchangePlugin Version: 7.4.0.31)
04/17/25 14:29:52:389 | [INFO] | 55496 | HDSetup | OOBEUtils | FileUtils | | OOBEUtils | 49552 | Failed to remove directory C:\adobeTemp Error 145
04/17/25 14:29:52:389 | [INFO] | 55496 | HDSetup | HDPIM | TaskManager | | HDPIM | 49552 | Completed 'REPAIR' task for Package (Name: ExchangePlugin Version: 7.4.0.31), Time taken '0' sec
04/17/25 14:29:52:389 | [INFO] | 55496 | HDSetup | HDPIM | TaskManager | | HDPIM | 49552 | Starting 'REPAIR' task for Package (Name: CoreSyncExtensionUninstaller Version: 7.4.0.31)
04/17/25 14:29:52:390 | [INFO] | 55496 | HDSetup | OOBEUtils | FileUtils | | OOBEUtils | 49552 | Failed to remove directory C:\adobeTemp Error 145
04/17/25 14:29:52:390 | [INFO] | 55496 | HDSetup | HDPIM | TaskManager | | HDPIM | 49552 | Completed 'REPAIR' task for Package (Name: CoreSyncExtensionUninstaller Version: 7.4.0.31), Time taken '0' sec
04/17/25 14:29:52:390 | [INFO] | 55496 | HDSetup | HDPIM | TaskManager | | HDPIM | 49552 | Starting 'REPAIR' task for Package (Name: CoreSyncUninstaller Version: 7.4.0.31)
04/17/25 14:29:52:390 | [INFO] | 55496 | HDSetup | OOBEUtils | FileUtils | | OOBEUtils | 49552 | Failed to remove directory C:\adobeTemp Error 145
04/17/25 14:29:52:390 | [INFO] | 55496 | HDSetup | HDPIM | TaskManager | | HDPIM | 49552 | Completed 'REPAIR' task for Package (Name: CoreSyncUninstaller Version: 7.4.0.31), Time taken '0' sec
04/17/25 14:29:53:264 | [INFO] | 55496 | HDSetup | OOBEUtils | FileUtils | | OOBEUtils | 24568 | Failed to remove directory C:\adobeTemp Error 145
04/17/25 14:29:53:264 | [INFO] | 55496 | HDSetup | HDPIM | ApplicationManager | | HDPIM | 24568 | Released product specific lock for SAPCode: COSY
04/17/25 14:29:53:733 | [INFO] | 55496 | HDSetup | HDPIM | HDPIMSession | | HDPIM | 44004 | Received progressType: 2 sessionGuid: {71D3C239-81A3-4057-8B06-87981650BFE9}
04/17/25 14:29:53:733 | [INFO] | 55496 | HDSetup | HDPIM | HDPIMSession | | HDPIM | 9972 | Completed repair workflow for SAPCode: COSY, Version 7.4.0, Platform: win32
04/17/25 14:29:53:734 | [INFO] | 55496 | HDSetup | HDPIM | HDPIMSessionManager | | HDPIM | 9972 | Exiting hdpimTerminateSession, successfully closed session '0'
04/17/25 14:29:53:736 | [INFO] | 55496 | HDSetup | HDSetup | AppContext | | HDSetup | 9972 | ************************* END Adobe Setup *************************

binh_5220 · Accepted Answer

Thank you @kglad for assisting me, I have recently gone through these 6 steps provided by Gemini AI:

Given everything you've tried, we need to look at potential system-wide conflicts, deeper OS issues, or more obscure Adobe components:

System Integrity Check (DISM): While sfc /scannow checks core system files, the DISM tool checks the underlying Windows Component Store health, which SFC relies on. Let's run it:
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
- Type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth and press Enter. (This scans for corruption).
- If it reports issues, type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press Enter. (This attempts repairs, requires internet).
- Restart your computer afterwards, even if no issues were found.
Windows Clean Boot: This is a crucial step to isolate software conflicts. It starts Windows with only essential Microsoft services and drivers running.
- Press Win + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
- Go to the "Services" tab.
- Check the box "Hide all Microsoft services".
- Click "Disable all".
- Go to the "Startup" tab and click "Open Task Manager".
- In Task Manager's Startup tab, disable all startup items listed.
- Close Task Manager, click "OK" in msconfig, and restart your computer.
- Important: Your computer will now be in a Clean Boot state. Try installing (if needed) and launching the Creative Cloud app now.
- Result:
  - If it works in Clean Boot: A non-Microsoft service or startup item you disabled is causing the conflict. You'll need to re-enable them selectively (in batches) using msconfig and restarting to pinpoint the culprit.
  - If it still fails in Clean Boot: The conflict is likely with a core Windows component, a driver, or the Adobe software itself at a fundamental level.
- Remember to reverse the changes in msconfig (re-enable services and startup items) once you're done testing to return to normal boot.
Check Windows Credential Manager: Sometimes stored credentials for Adobe services can become corrupted.
- Search for "Credential Manager" in the Windows search bar and open it.
- Click on "Windows Credentials".
- Look for any entries related to "Adobe". If you find any, expand them and select "Remove".
- Restart your computer.
Clear Adobe OOBE Cache Manually: Even the cleaner might miss some cached installer/updater data.
- Ensure no Adobe processes are running (Task Manager).
- Navigate to C:\Users\<YourUsername>\AppData\Local\Adobe\ and delete the OOBE folder.
- Navigate to C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\ and delete the OOBE folder (if it exists). Note: Sometimes deleting this causes issues, but given your situation, it's worth trying after backing it up if you prefer.
- Run the Cleaner tool (as admin, Clean All) one more time after deleting these folders.
- Restart.
Event Viewer Deep Dive: Revisit Event Viewer (Application and System logs) immediately after trying to launch Creative Cloud and it gets stuck initializing. Look for any errors or warnings, not just Adobe-specific ones, that occur precisely during that timeframe. Note down the Event ID and Source.
Try a Different Network: As a long shot, connect your PC to a completely different network (e.g., use your phone's mobile hotspot via USB tethering or Wi-Fi). This rules out any obscure filtering or blocking happening on your primary router or network. Try launching CC while on the hotspot.

I have checked with a hotspot and it still does not work, next, I proceeded with step 1 to 4, uninstall -> run cleaner -> restart -> install Creative Cloud each time. It works after I completed step 4, combined with clean boot from step 2. It appears that when I run the uninstaller and cleaner, the OOBE files are still there. This is a relief after spending 6+ hours doing exhaustive troubleshooting. I hope this could be of help to future users that come across this issue again.

After restart, the app gets stuck in initializing again. I have done some more extensive troubleshooting steps and have had some findings.

- The Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop application consistently fails to initialize (gets stuck on the "Initializing" screen) when launched after a system restart or after installed.. Uninstaller and cleaner tool is irrelevant for the issue that I'm having. Launching the Creative Cloud app using "Run as Administrator" makes the app works again. This ruled out any installer file integrity or OS file integrity problems.

Key Diagnostic Behaviors:

Works Correctly with Elevation: The application launches and functions perfectly fine if explicitly launched using "Run as administrator", even immediately after a system restart where the normal launch fails.
Works Temporarily After Clean Install: The application works correctly immediately after a clean install process (using CC Cleaner Tool, deleting folders, running setup as admin), but only until the next system restart.
Works in Safe Mode: The application successfully initializes and runs when Windows is booted into Safe Mode with Networking.
Fails in Clean Boot: The application still fails to initialize when Windows is booted using Clean Boot (all non-Microsoft services disabled via msconfig, and all Startup Apps disabled via Task Manager).
Issue Persists on New User Profile: The same behavior (fails normally, works as admin) occurs when tested on a newly created local Windows administrator account.

Troubleshooting Steps Already Performed:

Extensive Cleaning & Reinstallation:
- Multiple clean uninstalls of all Adobe products.
- Used the official Adobe Creative Cloud Cleaner Tool multiple times (Run as Admin, selected "Clean All").
- Manually deleted core Adobe folders after cleaning (C:\ProgramData\Adobe, C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe, C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe, C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Local\Adobe, C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Roaming\Adobe, related OOBE folders, C:\adobeTemp).
- Installed using a fresh download of the Creative Cloud Desktop app installer (Run as Admin).
System File Integrity:
- Ran sfc /scannow (no integrity violations found).
- Ran DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth and DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth (no component store corruption found).
Driver Updates:
- Performed a clean installation of the latest official Nvidia/AMD/Intel Graphics Driver using Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) in Safe Mode.
- Reinstalled the latest official Chipset drivers from the laptop manufacturer (Razer Blade 16 2023).
- Updated Network Adapter drivers.
Permissions:
- Verified and explicitly granted "Full Control" permissions for the user account (and SYSTEM, Administrators) on C:\ProgramData\Adobe, C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe, and C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe folders. Also took ownership. Permissions persist after restart.
Software Conflict Checks:
- Tested in Clean Boot state (as described above - problem still occurred).
- Temporarily disabled Windows Firewall and any third-party Antivirus/Firewall completely (problem still occurred).
System Components:
- Windows is fully up-to-date.
- Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables and .NET Framework are up-to-date.
Adobe Services/Processes:
- Checked services.msc after restart; only Adobe Acrobat Update Service and AdobeUpdateService consistently appear as running services.
- However, Task Manager (Details tab) confirms that when launched successfully via "Run as administrator", essential processes like Adobe Desktop Service.exe, AdobeIPCBroker.exe, CoreSync.exe, CCXProcess.exe, and licensing-related processes (acrotray.exe) are running.

Current Hypothesis:
The issue appears to be related to permissions or access rights required during the initialization phase after a normal Windows boot. The application fails under the standard user context but succeeds with elevated privileges ("Run as administrator"). Since it fails even in Clean Boot (where 3rd-party apps are disabled) but works in Safe Mode (where drivers/core services are minimal), the conflict likely involves interaction between Creative Cloud, core Windows services, and/or full hardware drivers that requires elevation to succeed after a normal boot on this system. Potential areas include Inter-Process Communication (IPC) permissions, registry access, or interaction with specific system resources/services.

Current Workaround:
Setting the Creative Cloud shortcut compatibility option to "Run this program as an administrator".

kglad · Answer

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.

Sign up

To post, reply, or follow discussions, please sign in with your Adobe ID.

Sign in to Adobe Community

To post, reply, or follow discussions, please sign in with your Adobe ID.

Scanning file for viruses.

This file cannot be downloaded