Playhead won't move during timeline playback

Question

When playing video on the timeline, the playhead won’t move, or skips every few seconds.

Resetting to saved layout hasn’t worked.

Undocking the timeline panel works, but docking the panel again causes the issue to come back.

This has been occurring since Premiere version 25.6.3 until the current release, 26.0.2

InnovativeinAi · Answer

This issue is a known performance/UI bug in Adobe Premiere Pro (especially in versions 25.6.x–26.x), usually related to GPU acceleration, panel rendering, or workspace glitches.

[Edited by moderator]

2. Reset Preferences (Important)

Hold Alt + Shift while launching Premiere Pro
This fully resets preferences (more effective than “Reset Workspace”)

3. Update / Rollback GPU Driver

This bug is often GPU-related
Try:
- Updating your NVIDIA/AMD driver
- OR rolling back to a previous stable version

4. Disable High DPI / UI Scaling Issue

Go to: Edit → Preferences → Appearance
Turn OFF “Enable High DPI Scaling”
Restart Premiere

5. Clear Media Cache

Go to: Edit → Preferences → Media Cache
Click Delete All Cache Files

6. Workaround (you already found)

Undocking timeline works because it bypasses UI redraw bug
Confirms it’s a panel rendering issue, not playback

[Edited by moderator]

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