Skip to main content
N
namenamenumbers
Inspiring
May 1, 2026
Answered

InDesign semi-freezes with background task spinning when placing or replacing images

  • May 1, 2026
  • 2 replies
  • 22 views

InDesign is doing this semi freeze thing when I place or replace images. Random images and random formats. The background task hoop turns on and I can do somethings sometimes but not always. If I close everything then close the program there is a message but it's up for a half a second, disappears and then a new start window opens then refuses to do anything else. I have to "End Task" to get it to close. I've deleted tempfiles, uninstalled and reinstalled, turned off GPU, and did that Ctrl + Alt + Shift thing.

    Correct answer leo.r

    Some other users reported a similar issue. If the new Generative AI options are enabled in Preferences, try to disable them — will it make a difference?

    2 replies

    Abhishek Rao
    Community Manager
    Abhishek RaoCommunity Manager
    Community Manager
    May 4, 2026

    Hi ​@namenamenumbers,

     

    Thanks for reaching out, and sorry you’re running into this issue.

    Adding to the suggestion already shared, could you please try resetting InDesign preferences manually by following the video at the bottom of this article: https://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/using/setting-preferences.html and see if that helps.

    It would also help to test this in a new document and confirm whether the issue occurs there as well or only with specific files. Also, please let me know if you’re working with files stored on a cloud service, network location, or external drive. If so, try placing files from your local drive and check if the behavior changes.

    Additionally, please try running your system in Safe Mode to rule out any third party interference. You can follow the steps here: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/start-your-pc-in-safe-mode-in-windows-92c27cff-db89-8644-1ce4-b3e5e56fe234

    If the issue still persists after this, I’d like to take it further with the product team. It would really help if you could share a short screen recording showing the issue in action, including the steps leading up to the freeze.

     

    Looking forward to your update.
    Abhishek

    Abhishek Rao
    Community Manager
    Abhishek RaoCommunity Manager
    Community Manager
    May 5, 2026

    Hi ​@namenamenumbers, 

     

    Thank you for your patience while we checked this with the product team. To continue the investigation, we’ll need a bit more diagnostic data from systems where the issue is occurring.

    Could you please share the following:

    • A short screen recording showing the exact steps leading to the freeze (while placing or updating files)

    • A sample file/package (File > Package) where the issue can be reproduced

    • A stack dump or crash dump captured at the time of the freeze. You can follow the steps in this article: Submit a crash report for InDesign

    Once we have this information from a few affected users, it will help the team better understand the root cause and move toward a fix.

     

    Thanks again for your support. I’ll keep you posted as soon as we have more updates.

    Abhishek

    leo.r
    Community Expert
    leo.rCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    May 1, 2026

    Some other users reported a similar issue. If the new Generative AI options are enabled in Preferences, try to disable them — will it make a difference?

    N
    namenamenumbersAuthor
    Inspiring
    May 5, 2026

    So far this has worked. I’ll come back if it starts up again Thanks.

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