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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

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    168 replies

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    Michiel5FE3
    Participant
    May 1, 2024 12:35 PM UTC

    Same issue here unfortunately... Updated MacOS system, no gpu preview and deleted Adobe prefrences. Still the screen turns gray when plugging in and out the hdmi cable which is connected to a LG screen. What can I do to fix this?

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      leo.r
      Community Expert
      leo.rCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      May 1, 2024 8:20 PM UTC
      quote

      Same issue here unfortunately... Updated MacOS system, no gpu preview and deleted Adobe prefrences. Still the screen turns gray when plugging in and out the hdmi cable which is connected to a LG screen. What can I do to fix this?


      By @Michiel5FE3

       

      Are there any other ways to connect to this display with a different cable (USB-C etc?)

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      karenh74245468Author
      Participating Frequently
      May 1, 2024 10:13 PM UTC

      I have the same problem when connecting via USB-C, so it appears to not be an issue with the type of port. It's a GPU display issue.

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        James233416792ln4
        Participant
        Apr 25, 2024 9:49 PM UTC

        Also experiencing this issue, since updating to 2024 version of InDesign, as is our whole studio team. We are using new Apple monitors and macbook pros. The issue occurs equally using new Apple monitors and a BenQ monitor. Only solution we've found is to quit and reopen InDesign, which of course is not ideal. OS installed: Sonoma 14.4.1. Any updates on when this will be fixed? 

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          eliasc61626777
          eliasc61626777
          Participant
          Apr 25, 2024 9:59 PM UTC

          Have you tried just closing and re-opening the document itself instead of InDesign? That works for me.

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            karenh74245468Author
            Participating Frequently
            May 1, 2024 10:11 PM UTC

            Yes, for me too. I can close just the document and reopen and it usually works. If I'm in a pinch I can toggle the "Preview on CPU" on to see the artwork, but that preview mode is super glitchy when zooming in/out or moving objects around.

            I connect via the USB-C. Does anyone connecting with an HDMI have the same problem? I haven't tried that yet.

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            Stephen33645263lfvf
            Participant
            Apr 4, 2024 10:34 PM UTC

            Any updates on this issue yet? I have all the latest software inc macOS Sonoma 14.4.1.

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              Stephen33645263lfvf
              Participant
              Apr 4, 2024 11:00 PM UTC

              Just to add I am experiencing the same issue with Photoshop.. and Illustrator flickers and glitches when i move the mouse. The problem occurs when switching monitors or when i wake my macbook after lunch on the same monitor. I have to completely restart as the glitches persists after just a software restart.

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                eliasc61626777
                eliasc61626777
                Participant
                Apr 5, 2024 2:23 PM UTC

                I have also been experiencing this same issue for over a year now (the flickering in Illustrator when an external monitor is plugged in or unplugged). Usually toggling Presentation Mode on and off fixes it for me! Annoying bug(s) for sure.

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                  karenh74245468Author
                  Participating Frequently
                  Feb 1, 2024 5:07 PM UTC

                  I found a similar post that suggested deleting InDesign preferences. That has seemed to fix the problem.

                   

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                  karenh74245468Author
                  Participating Frequently
                  Feb 2, 2024 5:09 PM UTC

                  Well I thought deleted preferences fixed the problem, but it's happening again today. I had my file open on my external monitor at home, unplugged to go work at the coffee shop, open the macbook up and the window is blank again. I had to shut down InDesign and reopen it to continue working.

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                    karenh74245468Author
                    Participating Frequently
                    Feb 2, 2024 5:13 PM UTC

                    I tried to uncheck the GPU performance and turn off GPU Preview, which allows me to see the work again, but if I move or scale objects the screen goes blank while my curser is moving the selection.

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