Skip to main content
karenh74245468
Participating Frequently
Feb 1, 2024 5:00 PM UTC
Answered

InDesign blank window when switching displays

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.

    James3830878120u7Correct answer
    Participant
    Oct 8, 2026 7:14 PM UTC

    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

    View reply

    168 replies

    Show previous replies
    rjrh
    Participating Frequently
    Oct 17, 2024 7:02 PM UTC

    Just another post to say "yup, me too." It's such a daft, trivial, yet utterly infuriating bug.

    Translate
    jeffhalmos
    Inspiring
    Oct 16, 2024 4:37 PM UTC

    Amazingly—or not at all amazingly—InDesign 20.0 didn't fix the issue. It's the ONLY app that does this on my MacBook Pro, so it ain't Apple and its contant goalpost moving with each OS update.

    Translate
      Katelyn5D95
      Participant
      Oct 10, 2024 6:38 PM UTC

      I'm also experiencing the same issue when switching displays. Has there been any update?

      Translate
        jeffhalmos
        Inspiring
        Oct 10, 2024 6:40 PM UTC

        Many. But none address the issue.

        Translate
          raquelvieira
          raquelvieira
          Participant
          Oct 1, 2024 9:50 AM UTC

          In preferences, go to GPU Performance and untick the box that says "Animated Zoom", that will stop the screen from going black when changing screens.

          Translate
            jeffhalmos
            Inspiring
            Oct 1, 2024 12:04 PM UTC

            I don't like the zoom feature so it's never need on. Still blank windows. 

            Translate
              christyknell
              christyknell
              Participant
              Sep 19, 2024 4:36 PM UTC

              I just went into my System Preferences for my Macbook Pro, in Displays, and changed the refresh rate to 60 Hertz. I think maybe the newest operating system has a fancy new option that is too different from my external display?

               

              Translate
              Cecilia5E25
              Participating Frequently
              Sep 20, 2024 1:49 PM UTC

              Did that make it work better?

              Translate
              Dennis_Z
              Dennis_Z
              Known Participant
              Sep 6, 2024 7:26 AM UTC

              Same here! Multiple colleagues have this issue in the office.
              OS: Sonoma 14.6.1  / InDesign: 19.5 / Monitor: LG Ergo 32UN880

              It's really annoying. Resetting my preferences as the top comment suggested didn't fix it. Tried reinstalling InDesign, deleting my preferences. 

              Translate
                jeffhalmos
                Inspiring
                Sep 6, 2024 11:11 AM UTC

                Well, don't worry.—it also happens in Sequoia. 

                Translate
                cd93771380
                Participant
                Sep 5, 2024 9:47 PM UTC

                Same thing happening to me. Have to quit the file and reopen. Kind of annoying.

                Translate
                asif_7627
                Participant
                Aug 27, 2024 3:02 AM UTC

                It sounds like you’re encountering a GPU rendering issue when switching displays with InDesign 2024 on macOS Sonoma. This problem, where the workspace goes blank, is likely due to how macOS handles the transition between the MacBook’s built-in display and your LG UltraFine monitor, especially with GPU-intensive apps like InDesign.

                Your current workaround of saving, quitting, and reopening InDesign resets the GPU context, which is why it works. You could also try resetting InDesign’s preferences or adjusting display settings in macOS to see if that helps. If this issue persists, it’s worth reporting to both Apple and Adobe, as it might require a software update from either party.

                For more on optimizing your tech setup, consider resources like ThePackagesPK, where you can find guides that might help with similar issues.

                Translate
                jeffhalmos
                Inspiring
                Aug 27, 2024 3:24 AM UTC

                Yes but. The but is that earlier versions didn't have this issue. So, my guess, is that it's Adobe that's done something. It's been happening in Sonoma and dev betas of Sequoia. I believe the first few versions of this year's ID were fine.

                Translate
                studio38541005zbny
                Participant
                Aug 26, 2024 9:50 PM UTC

                have also had this issue for 2+ years. M1 Macbook pro tried all versions of Adobe INDD

                 

                Translate
                lukc666
                lukc666
                Participant
                Aug 5, 2024 11:51 PM UTC

                Same issue - been going on since I got my M1 macbook. I've been closing and reopening files for ~2 years now. Every few months I check if there's some fix for this.

                The CPU preview hack remains the only thing that "works".

                Translate
                Show more replies
                Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
                Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices