Participating Frequently

Answered

InDesign blank window when switching displays

Forum|Forum|2 years ago
February 1, 2024
48 replies
15898 views

When having a file open in InDesign 2024 on my Macbook Pro (Sonoma 14.2.1 OS), close the lid, plug into my LG UltraFine external monitor and wake the computer up, the InDesign window is still open and all the tool bars are visible and working, but the area where the artwork is becomes black/blank and I can't see the work. I can see the bounding boxes if I select all, but no image or text. The window is entirely blank. The same thing happens if I'm working on my LG monitor, unplug the display and then open the Macbook to work. I always have my Macbook closed when plugged into the LG display and use both an external keyboard and trackpad. The solution is to always save, quit InDesign and reopen. If I go through that it works again. Is it a bug with Apple? Is it a bug with Adobe?

My LG firmware, OS and Adobe InDesign are all updated to the latest versions.

Correct answer Abhishek Rao

Hi everyone,

Thanks a lot for sharing your experiences and all the details here. I wanted to let you know that the product team is aware of this blank or black window issue when switching displays on macOS Sonoma and has logged it as a bug. The team is actively working on a fix to ensure smoother GPU behavior when connecting or disconnecting external monitors.

In the meantime, toggling the GPU Preview setting or reopening the file, as some of you mentioned, can serve as temporary workarounds. We really appreciate your patience and all the feedback, it's been very helpful for the team to narrow down the cause.

I'll keep you posted once we have an update.

Abhishek

islamfarid

Participant

Any update. I have the same issue on M5 Pro MacBook and the text frame flickering. I just upgraded my system and my investment is wasted with buggy software!!!!!

Abhishek Rao

Community Manager

Hi @islamfarid,

Sorry you're still experiencing this issue. The bug is still under investigation, and the product team is actively working on a fix.

I'll be sure to keep this thread updated as soon as I have any new information.

Thanks for your patience!

Abhishek

Javier Gómez Laínez

Inspiring

Bug still present in latest version of MacOS Tahoma… So not sure if the product team is working on a fix or simply relying in us users to toggle GPU acceleration off anytime the bug shows...

A

Advl

Participant

I have this issue since the release of GPU performance. It has been addressed several times already and still no fix in sight. Disabling GPU performance is a workaround, not a fix. We’d like to be able to fully make use of the faster display that GPU performance allows.

Abhishek Rao

Community Manager

Hi @Advl,

Sorry to hear you're still experiencing this issue. I understand how frustrating it is. This is a known bug, and the product team is actively working on a fix. However, they have not been able to consistently reproduce it on their end, so additional details would be very helpful.

Could you please share your exact macOS version, InDesign version/build, and the steps that reliably reproduce the issue on your machine? If possible, please also include a short screen recording showing the behavior from the moment you connect/disconnect the external display (or wake the Mac after switching displays) until the document area turns blank. This will help the team verify the behavior and continue the investigation.

Looking forward to your update.

Abhishek

A

Advl

Participant

macOS 26.5.1, InDesign 21.4.1, MacBook M1 Pro. Steps: external monitor is main display and connected via HDMI. Put the MacBook to sleep and disconnect the external monitor. Wake up the computer > the application window switches to the built-in display and the layout disappears.

Sometimes, even after these steps, the bug doesn’t occur immediately. If so, click the Zoom button on the application window (with the green + sign), and the layout should definitely disappear.

K

Karbo222

Participant

this happens ALL of the time- for months. It’s really frustrating!!

Emma-Mal99

Participant

This is still happening to me in April 2026 as well.

J

jimc1005175

Participating Frequently

same here. It’s annoying as he*l. Especially given the monthly subscription price

Abhishek Rao

Community Manager

Hi @Emma-Mal99 , @jimc1005175,

Sorry to hear that you’re still experiencing this, I understand how frustrating this can be, especially with frequent display switching.

I’m checking this further with the product team and will share an update as soon as I have more information. In the meantime, could you please try toggling the GPU Performance setting in Adobe InDesign Preferences and see if that makes any difference?

Please let me know how it goes.

Abhishek

M

matthewe5262730

Participant

It's happening to me too (macbook pro/apple display.) I'm eager for this to be addressed.. it's pretty disruptive.

M

Manuel33575430gqeg

Participant

It's baffling that this isn't fixed yet...I have this problem since the beginning of 2024 - and because I use a macbook with different displays at least 5-6 times a day - and every new update I hope it's finally patched, it's really annoying.

G

Grundoon Groundhog

Inspiring

The wheels of Adobe grind exceedingly slow if not exceedingly small.

I have to save the invisible document and quit the program, then reopen. This is on my desktop computer.

J

jiveaces

Participant

October 2025 and I have this exact same problem. Over a year and a half and no fix?

G

Grundoon Groundhog

Inspiring

My screen also sometimes turns bright pink.

Abhishek Rao

Correct answer

Community Manager

Hi everyone,

Thanks a lot for sharing your experiences and all the details here. I wanted to let you know that the product team is aware of this blank or black window issue when switching displays on macOS Sonoma and has logged it as a bug. The team is actively working on a fix to ensure smoother GPU behavior when connecting or disconnecting external monitors.

In the meantime, toggling the GPU Preview setting or reopening the file, as some of you mentioned, can serve as temporary workarounds. We really appreciate your patience and all the feedback, it's been very helpful for the team to narrow down the cause.

I'll keep you posted once we have an update.

Abhishek

MonsieurT

Participant

Hi,

This issue seems to have more than a year now... Really upset to have to close/re-open a file every time I switch from mackbook pro only to screen or reverse.

Please put this on top of your to-do list...

Cheers

G

Grundoon Groundhog

Inspiring

Sadly glad to know it's not just me. I have one screen, latest MAC software. I've deleted preferences, deleted and reinstalled the program, and it still happens.

B

barrya

Known Participant

It is ridiculous.

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