Number of issues since the last update with InDesign

I can understand the frustration, particularly when you're relying on InDesign for commercial work and something that worked perfectly yesterday suddenly stops working after an update.

One of the reasons I have automatic updates turned off is exactly this. I generally stick with the most recent stable release of the previous major version. I'm currently using InDesign 2025 and don't intend moving to 2026 until 2027 has been released and had some time to settle down.

You don't necessarily need to be using the latest version, particularly if the features you're using haven't changed.

That said, there are a few things worth investigating before writing off the current installation.

First, regarding the crashing during output:

• Is it crashing when exporting a PDF or when printing?

• Does it happen with every document or only particular files?

• Have you tried exporting a completely new document with just a simple text frame?

• Are you using Windows or macOS, and what exact version of InDesign?

If it's happening with just one document, try exporting it as IDML, reopening that file and saving it as a new INDD. This can sometimes resolve document-related problems.

If it's happening with everything, I'd be looking at preferences, fonts or possibly a conflict introduced by the update.

You mentioned font and formatting issues too. Are fonts actually going missing, being substituted, or is the text reflowing unexpectedly? They're quite different problems and could have different causes.

One other option: You can install an earlier version of InDesign through the Creative Cloud desktop app (under Other Versions), provided it's still available.

You could potentially get yourself back to a working version while investigating the problems with the latest release.

I agree with your underlying point, though. For anyone working in production, stability and reliability are far more important than having the latest features. When you're working to deadlines, the last thing you need is an update disrupting a previously reliable workflow.

Not to minimize the bugs that do appear with every program update but quite often performance issues after an update are the result of using the option to import previous settings and preferences that comes up during the update process. Using preference files that were “married” to the older code of the previous version usually causes unpredictable performance issues. Over the years I have always started with fresh preference files after every update and can report that my issues with new versions has been minimal. It may be inconvenient to go through this process each time but at least for me it has been worth it. If you want to try deleting your present preferences and see if it helps the process for doing so is:

For Macintosh Users: The User Library folder in which InDesign’s preferences are stored is hidden by default on most Macintoshes. To access it make sure that InDesign is closed and click on the desktop to launch a Finder Window (Command-N). With this window in column view follow the path User>Home folder (it’s the folder with an icon that looks like a house—it may have the user’s name rather than “Home”) and click on the Home folder. With the Option Key pressed choose Library from the Finder Go Menu. “Library” will now appear within the Home folder. Within the Library folder find the folder called Preferences and within it find the folder called “Adobe InDesign” and the file called “com.adobe.InDesign.plist” and delete both that folder and that file. When InDesign is next launched it will create new preference files and the program will be restored to its defaults.

For Windows Users: You can try the quick way of resetting on a PC which is to hold down Ctrl + Alt + Shift when launching InDesign and respond affirmatively when asked if you want to reset. There have been some recent reports that the window asking if you want to reset is not popping up but that the prefs are being reset anyway. If this works great but if it doesn’t you may have to manually delete them.

To do so:

The preference files are hidden. To find them go to the Control Panel and open Folder Options and then click the View tab. Then select “Show hidden files and folders” or “Show hidden files, folders or drive options” in Advanced Settings. Then delete (or rename) the folder at the end of this path: C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\InDesign\<Version #>\<Language>. Make sure that InDesign is closed when you do this. When you relaunch the program it will create  new preference files and the program will be at its default settings.

The advantage of manually deleting preference files is that after you’ve reset up the program (make sure that no document window is open) to your liking, you can create copies of your personalized “mint” preference files (make sure that you quit the program before copying them—that finalizes your customization) and use them in the future to replace any corrupt versions you may need to delete.

Very good question. Every “improvement” causes problems. I realize software engineers enjoy tinkering and have to justify their jobs, but why can’t they iron out the bugs BEFORE releasing updates?

I’m sorry you feel that way. But all we can do is ask you what problems you’re having and offer what we can to help you. We’re end users just like you, and most of us are volunteers and not Adobe employees.

This is a user-to-user forum to help folks with their technical problems working with InDesign. With that said, how can we help you? I think I can speak for the group here in saying we’re willing to take our best shot.

Randy