After Effects freezes when starting up on initialising Media Core

[Gerbren Boere]

I hope someone could help because I'm at a loss with this problem.

I had several versions of after effects installed (23/24/25). I was working in 25, all went well and suddenly there was a crash. Since that moment I'm not able anymore to open any of these AE versions anymore.

When opening AE it freezes on "Initializing Media Core", it hangs and that's it.

Things I tried so far:

- removed all third party plugins

- removed all files in the Library/Application Support/Adobe/Common map

- uninstalled andn reinstalled all AE

- even did the total Adobe clean up and installed everything again

- but the problems is still there

Needless to say this is really frustrating and stressfull because I have projects to deliver. I am a user of Adobe and after effects since 2001 (!) now, and I never experienced such a severe crash problem as this one. Adobe how on earth is this posssibe.

So far my complaint, I hope someone can help me.

I'm on Mac, M1, 15.1.1 (Sequoia). Updated a few days ago, maybe that causes the problem?)

This is where it freezes:

Last log message was: <70496> <AppDirs> <5> Required Dir = /Applications/Adobe After Effects 2024/Adobe After Effects 2024.app/Contents/Required

Hope anyone can give me advise!

[ToolfarmJP]

Would you try to run After Effects, using sudo command? The cause may be related to the permission of MediaCore.

[nishu_kush]

Hi Gerbren Boere,

Sorry to hear about the issue. Here's what I think:

1. If you're opening After Effects by double-clicking a project file and the file is corrupt, you may see the crash. Try opening After Effects by clicking its icon.
2. There are some third-party plug-ins or their residue files that are interfering with After Effects. Go to the following location and remove (or move to a different location to keep a backup) all the files and folders except dummy.txt and try to launch After Effects. Location on macOS - HD/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Common/Plugins/7.0/MediaCore

Let us know how it goes.

Thanks,

Nishu

[isaac_3912]

I'm having the exact same problem, which started today while in a project that's due Monday...I've tried every single fix I can find. And I still can't get AE to work. I've tried all the solutions listed here and everything else I can find on the wider net. I've deleted everything and re-installed. Version AE 25.3.2.

[isaac_3912]

Apple Macbook pro, Sequoia 15.7 

[nishu_kush]

Sorry to hear that, Isaac. After Effects freezing on Initializing Media Core usually means that After Effects is not able to load at least one of the plug-ins from the MediaCore folder. If removing the plug-ins from the MediaCore folder and running After Effects in Safe Mode with third-party plug-ins disabled didn't help, can you share the crash report? That'll give us a clearer picture of what's going on.

Thanks,
Nishu

[isaac_3912]

Hi Nishu, it started working again about an hour ago. The previous posts I made contain an image of the singular and repeated error. I'm not sure if this is the solution, but I noticed my GPU was listed as 'unknown'. I googled that and changed the battery options. I switched off "automatic graphics switching".  I also then temporarily switched off "Bitdefender Shield". And AE started working again and appears to be working fine at the moment. Not sure if these are the answers to the problem but it's working! Thankyou for your prompt response, much appreciated.

[nishu_kush]

I'm glad to hear that it's working now. It could be either the GPU or Bitdefender. I'm leaning more towards Bitdefender because it can prevent After Effects from accessing crucial files and folders.

Feel free to reach out if there are any other questions.

Thanks,
Nishu