Participant

Answered

InDesign 21.3 freezes with endless loading cursor when placing images on Windows 11

Forum|Forum|5 months ago
May 3, 2026
57 replies
4461 views

Hi

Each time I import an image into Indesign, the image loads okay, but I get the blue swirling ‘loading’ icon that never stops. I can save my document, and the menus still work but I can’t work on the actual page, and the only way I can clear it it to Force quit Indesign using Task Manager.

This started about 2 weeks ago, and was fine before and I haven’t made any changes to my PC. I thought maybe it started after an update of Indesign, so I tried reverting to an older version, but still had the same problem.

I have tried re-installing Indesign. (version21.3) I use Windows 11.

I really hope you can help please?

Thanks Chris

Correct answer Abhishek Rao

Hi everyone,

Thanks again for continuing to share your reports and test results.

We’ve confirmed that some users are still experiencing the spinning cursor/freezing issue when placing or updating files in InDesign 21.5.1. The team is aware of the issue and is continuing to investigate a fix.

For now, disabling the Generative AI options in InDesign Preferences remains an effective workaround for several affected users. If the issue persists even after disabling these options, please let us know and share your InDesign version and workflow so we can continue tracking the reports.

I’ll keep this thread updated as soon as we have more information to share.

Thanks for your patience,
Abhishek

E

Enchanted_arta760

Participating Frequently

How do i turn of genrative AI?

Abhishek Rao

Community Manager

Hi @Enchanted_arta760,

You can disable the Generative AI options by going to Edit > Preferences > Generative AI in InDesign, then uncheck both Generative AI options listed there.

Once disabled, restart InDesign and check whether the issue persists.

Thanks!
Abhishek

T

Talitha_N�llen9692

Participant

I still have the issue with 21.6 and after disabling the AI features..

F

FienDesign

Participant

Haven the same issues for months now. Working in the newest Adobe Creative Cloud - Indesign.

Is there a fix yet?

leo.r

Community Expert

@FienDesign Did you disable Generative AI options in Preferences?

F

FienDesign

Participant

Yes I did and that solved the issue for now.

A

ajasto paperproo3902177

Participant

Also having this issue on 21.5.1 on 9/18/26

leo.r

Community Expert

Disable Generative AI in Preferences.

D

Divine_Radianced0a0

Participant

I’m having this issue on 21.5.1 x64 (Date: Sept 18, 2026)
Running Windows 11 25H2.

I disabled both Generative AI options before doing the following:

(1) Action → Import images with Ctrl+D
Issue → “Loading” icon appeared on the mouse pointer and did not disappear.
Possible Solution? → I simply clicked on the document and the image appeared. The mouse pointer turned normal.

Which then leads to the following issue:
(2) Action → I tried to save the document including Ctrl+S, File>Save, Closing the file to click “Yes” when the “Do you want to save?” prompt appeared.
Issue → It could not save at all and did not let me save it
Possible Solution? → I tried the following solution that was posted in Jan 2026 when the Windows Update occurs InDesign files corrupted and unable to save after Windows 11 update KB5074109 (January 2026) - Post #2 | Community

It did not work.
Now we’re stuck with unable to save the file. This only occurred after importing images.

D

Divine_Radianced0a0

Participant

[Update]
Seems like it got fixed after the new 21.6 udpate.

M

Magzzz28

Participating Frequently

Also having this issue on 21.5.1 on 9/15/26

E

Eccentric_precision981e

Participant

Issue is present in 21.5.1 on 9/1/26

leo.r

Community Expert

Just to make sure: did you disable Generative AI options in preferences?

E

Eccentric_precision981e

Participant

Hello, yes, disabling Generative AI options is an effective work-around. Just wanted to confirm the issue is present in the version I listed. Thank you!

Mike Witherell

Community Expert

InDesign GenAI Blocker Startup Script

https://trainingonsite.com/235-indesign-generative-ai-blocker.html

This will turn off the Alt-Text preference whenever you start InDesign.

Mike Witherell

dnbnc

Participating Frequently

My version of InDesign is 21.5.1 on Windows 11. All up to date.

And now, I disabled AI functions to see if it fix the loading forever cursor problem.

dnbnc

Participating Frequently

Same here! I only insert a new .ai image (same as before, but only changed a text in the .ai image)… No reason to hang, but the load cursor stays forever.

Agenturaxact

Known Participant

for my work: disabling both Generative AI options under Edit > Preferences > Generative AI

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