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InDesign blank window when switching displays

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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.

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James3830878120u7Correct answer

Participant

I don’t want to speak too soon but… I think this might finally be fixed? For the first time in years, I was able to switch monitors without the blank screen issue. I’m on a 2021 M1 macbook pro running MacOS 27.0.1 / InDesign version 21.6

*edit: oops didn’t see Abhishek’s post from two weeks ago - platform won’t let me delete my post, but anyway, confirming it’s fixed for me

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Emma-Mal99

Participant

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

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jimc1005175

Participating Frequently

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

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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

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matthewe5262730

Participant

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

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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.

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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.

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jiveaces

Participant

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

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Grundoon Groundhog

Inspiring

My screen also sometimes turns bright pink.

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Abhishek Rao

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

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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

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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.

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barrya

Known Participant

It is ridiculous.

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gary_3708

Participant

This is typical of Adobe, years go by with no fix, this is a complete joke. Attending Config today and so happy Figma has allowed me to break free of having to rely on Adobe products to do my job.

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k34097905j6ua

Participating Frequently

Each update is another error of something that already worked. Not to mention that this program is getting slower and slower. Processors are getting faster, memory is already reaching 120 GB, and in Adobe there are no changes. After a quarter of a century of working with this software, I am looking for some alternatives because it simply annoys me that I cannot work comfortably.

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Cecilia5E25

Participating Frequently

It does seem to be a problem with the GPU/CPU preview. If you go to View and "GPU Preview" is showing at the top, toggle it to "Preview on CPU." If it's already on "Preview on CPU," try toggling it to "GPU Preview." I can't remembver which one was the one I had to change it to, but it's working for me.

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Cecilia5E25

Participating Frequently

Now I went back through and see that others suggested this and it didn't work for them. It's working for me currently, but I don't use animated zoom. I already have enough trouble trying to rein in my magic mouse which takes me places I don't want to be :-D. My magic mouse is one of the banes of my existence. I don't know if my fingers hang over it differently than others but I haven't mastered it in 16 years of using it. I don't hate it because there are positives, but other times, it drives me crazy. Every single one I've had and I've had quite a few. Even when I'm not touching it, pages are flying around, zooming in and out, and lately there are times I can hardly get it to move 😞 and I have three of them.... If anyone remembers seeing a question like this somewhere in this community, feel free to tell me where! Oh I just realized that would be the APPLE community! Sorry 😮

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leo.r

Community Expert

My magic mouse is one of the banes of my existence...

If anyone remembers seeing a question like this somewhere in this community, feel free to tell me where!

By @Cecilia5E25

I understand your pain. I don't have any suggestions on how to "improve" the Magic Mouse, because I never use them. If you ask me, even most of the cheapest mouses in a dollar store are better than the Magic Mouse because they're at least more ergonomic. Not to mention the plethora of better mice from reputable brands. Other than that, you can try hardware forums at macrumors.com

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Andrej22170220438j

Participant

May 2025, MB Pro M2 32GB, issue still persists!
My workaround is to work with an InDesign version from early 2023.

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k34097905j6ua

Participating Frequently

This company is a joke.

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creativenw

Participant

It feels absurd how long it's been going on; at this point, I don't think Adobe is even checking these discussions. Is there a place to report bugs so their team sees it directly?

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Cecilia5E25

Participating Frequently

I believe you can go here to suggest fixes or ideas for improvements:
https://indesign.uservoice.com/

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