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Participant
September 10, 2026
Question

InDesign Error

  • September 10, 2026
  • 3 replies
  • 42 views

After updating to InDesign 21.5.1, basic functions such as dragging and dropping images, Ctrl+S, and Ctrl+Z stopped working properly.

Three days ago, I downgraded to InDesign 21.4 and continued working on my project.

However, when I tried to reopen the file I had worked on yesterday, InDesign would no longer launch properly.

I have completely uninstalled and reinstalled Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and Creative Cloud, but InDesign is the only application that still refuses to work.

I also used the Adobe Creative Cloud Cleaner Tool to completely remove InDesign and then reinstalled it, but the problem remains. When I launch InDesign, only the gray bar at the top of the window appears, and nothing else works. I cannot interact with the program at all.

Even when I open an existing InDesign document, I can only see the preview. None of the tools, menus, or other functions respond.

I have also tried installing multiple different versions of InDesign, including previous versions, but none of them work.

This is extremely frustrating. Adobe keeps adding various AI-related features and other new functions, while basic and essential features of the program are becoming increasingly unstable.

Is it really reasonable for users to spend hours searching through community forums and trying countless troubleshooting methods just to get a basic program to launch and function properly?

Please fix these fundamental stability issues and release a properly functioning version as soon as possible. Users should not have to go through all of this just to use a program they rely on for their work.

    3 replies

    leo.r
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    September 10, 2026

    Just in case: this is a duplicate of this post:
     

     

    Participant
    September 10, 2026

    I have not received any solution to my issue. So I repost it.

    leo.r
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    September 10, 2026

    Yes I understand. You already tried the CC Cleaner Tool so it appears there’s a serious issue on your machine.

    Try repairing C++ distributions, too:
    https://helpx.adobe.com/ca/indesign/desktop/troubleshoot/launch-and-crash-issues/launch-issues-windows-update.html#:~:text=Microsoft%2Drecommended%20workarounds.-,Corrupt%20VCRuntime,-Workaround%201%3A%20Repair

    I’m on Mac but hopefully Windows users will chime in with additional suggestions.

    Also, try to revert to a yet earlier version, for example InDesign 21.2. I know this helped some users in certain cases.