After Effects Opens But is Unresponsive in Mac OS Monterey 12.4

[Robert Chelpka]

Recently, I upgraded my 2019 Macbook Pro to OS 12.4 and immediately thereafter, upgraded AE to 22.5. Upon opening a saved project, I got the usual request to upgrade the project, which I did. Everything opened up just fine but it wasn't long before I realized that I wasn't able to do anything at all. The only thing that works is to toggle the timeline to play and stop using the spacebar on the keyboard. Other than that, the entire interface is completely unresponsive to mouse clicks or any access to menu options. The only way to get out of the project is to force quit through the OS.

Is this a known bug with the program? Is anyone else seeing anything similar?

[John V Knowles]

If you create a fresh project in 22.5, does it work normally?

If so, try importing your 22.4 project into a new, blank project.

[Robert Chelpka]

@John V Knowles: Thanks for the tip! Sadly, even a new blank project exhibits the exact same behavior. I have absolutely zero access to anything, all menus are completely grayed out. It simply be haves as a view only window. I can't even minimize or close it. My only option is to force quit from the Apple menu.

[John V Knowles]

You may have to try deleting and reinstalling the application.

[Robert Chelpka]

That was one of my first steps to no avail. 😞

[John V Knowles]

Are you running any 3rd part plugins?

Try Adobe tech support and let them control your Mac remotely to diagnose the problem. This is seriously weird.