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Rameez_Khan
Rameez_Khan
Legend
October 21, 2019
Question

FAQ: How to fix common After Effects crashes?

  • October 21, 2019
  • 12 replies
  • 103251 views

This page lists solutions to common After Effects crashes.

 

First things first:

 

After Effects is stuck on the splash screen

Take a closer look at the splash screen and check if the app is frozen while loading a specific plugin. Most of the time, it freezes on a third-party plugin and removing the plugin temporarily should fix the problem. However, if it is frozen while trying to load a built-in plugin, create a new discussion in the community for troubleshooting.

 

After Effects crashes on launch

  • First of all, submit a crash report with your e-mail address and a description of what you were doing when the problem occurred. Detailed instructions here: https://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/multi/submit-crash-reports-digital-video-applications.html
  • Update your computer's GPU drivers. If your computer has a dedicated GPU, make sure to update the GPU driver as well as the onboard Intel GPU driver. Our community recommends updating drivers from the manufacturer's website rather than installing them through Windows updates.
  • If you're on Windows, run the app as an Administrator. [Right-click the After Effects app icon > Click Run as Administrator]
  • If you get an error message on launch that says missing libraries, it is an indication of a bad install. Use the Adobe CC Cleaner tool to uninstall After Effects and reinstall it: https://helpx.adobe.com/in/creative-cloud/kb/cc-cleaner-tool-installation-problems.html

 

After Effects crashes while working

  • After Effects crashes in the middle of a project are mostly related to third-party plugins or scripts. Remove the plugin or script temporarily to resolve the issue.
  • When After Effects crashes while adding layers, changing the length of the frame, adding a new figure or other random steps, our community recommends uninstalling the GPU driver and reinstalling it.

 

After Effects crashes while rendering or exporting

  • First of all, submit a crash report with your e-mail address: https://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/multi/submit-crash-reports-digital-video-applications.html This will enable Adobe staff to read your crash report from the crash server and provide appropriate suggestions.

  • If you're getting an error message that reads Error Compiling Movie, check the timecode details in the error message and remove any effects or transitions that are applied to your composition anywhere in that timecode.

  • Turn off GPU Acceleration under File > Project Settings > Video Rendering and Effects

  • Update your computer's GPU drivers. If your computer has a dedicated GPU, make sure to update the GPU driver as well as the on-board Intel GPU driver. Our community recommends updating drivers from the manufacturer's website rather than installing them through Windows updates.

 

Specific error messages:

 

After Effects is frozen on Initializing Mediacore

Follow the steps given in this article to resolve the problem: https://helpx.adobe.com/premiere-pro/kb/startup-screen-hangs-premiere-after.html

 

After Effects can't continue: Error while accessing the preference files...

Follow the troubleshooting steps given in this article: https://community.adobe.com/t5/After-Effects/FAQ-After-Effects-can-t-continue-Error-while-accessing-the/td-p/9726148

 

After Effects error: The application was unable to start correctly (0xc0000005)

This error is mostly related to the GPU driver of your computer and can be resolved by uninstalling the video driver and reinstalling it. If your GPU driver is out of date, it's recommended to update it.

 

Anything else?

If the resolution of your issue is not mentioned in this post, please leave a comment below with the steps that resolved your problem.

If none of these solutions help, create a new discussion in the community so that we can troubleshoot the issue with you.


Thanks!

Rameez

 

 

    12 replies

    T
    Taka26918514t46x
    Participant
    October 29, 2024

    i found this error on my after effects Please help me to resolve it.

    S
    Sanshine117
    Participant
    September 4, 2025

    I am dealing with the same issue, please someone.....

    ShiveringCactus
    Community Expert
    ShiveringCactusCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    September 4, 2025

    Have you tried these steps (first posted by @Rameez_Khan ) :

     

    Try the following steps to resolve the issue:

    1. Press & hold the Option key. From the Finder menu bar, choose Go > Library [This is your User Library, which is hidden by default]
    2. In Library, go to Preferences > Adobe
    3. Control-click on the Adobe folder and choose Get Info
    4. In the Sharing & Permissions section, you see the computer’s users listed. Your User Account should say Read & Write next to it.
    5. If the Lock button at the bottom of the window shows a closed lock, click the lock and enter an administrator name and password. Then click and choose Read & Write for your User Account (if it is not already set that way).
    6. Click the gear icon directly under the usernames, then choose Apply to enclosed items...
    7. Click OK to confirm the action and click the lock once more to save changes.

    Note: Even if the permissions are set correctly for this folder, please go through this step as the enclosed folders may be set incorrectly.

     

    If the problem still persists, follow these steps:

    1. Repeat steps 1 & 2 listed above
    2. Navigate to the Affects Effects folder inside Preferences > Adobe
    3. Rename the After Effects version folder number to OLD_version number. For example, 17.0 folder to OLD_17.0
    4. Then try to launch After Effects

     

    If that still doesn't solve the issue, please contact Customer Support for assistance.

    ShiveringCactus
    Community Expert
    ShiveringCactusCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    July 1, 2024

    I think this page is so useful, I made a video covering all the areas and the steps involved:

    S
    Sanshine117
    Participant
    July 1, 2024

    I tried it but it keeps saying "After Effects error: Crash in progress. Last logged message was: <9992> <Appdirs> <5> Required Dir =    C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe After Effects 2024\Support Files\ Required"

     

    What does this suppose to mean? 

    S
    Sanshine117
    Participant
    July 1, 2024

    It keeps crashing for me whenever I try to open it. I tried every way possible to solve the issue starting with uninstalling and reinstalling the app, then also creative cloud, I turn the computer on and off, trying to start in Safe mode. Nothing is been solved. I also gave feedback multiple times, nothing happened. 

    it says "crash in progress" all the time and I got tired of it. 

    N
    NikITA3249294763v2
    Participant
    September 24, 2023

    Hello, I have this error when I start the after effects program, after which the program offers to save the project and immediately closes

      B
      Adobe Employee
      bhaskardas
      Adobe Employee
      September 25, 2023

      Sorry for this, Please try to open an After Effects project if you already have from previous works, it should allow you to open the application. Then go to AE menu  choose Edit>Preferences>Startup and Repair> here, uncheck Enable Home Screen, hit ok, And try to launch the application once. 

      M
      MegaKenn
      Participating Frequently
      June 2, 2023

      My AE keeps crashing the entire system. It just freezes up the whole computer except for mouse cursor. MacBook Pro 2019 i9 32GB RAM, AMD Radeon Pro 5500M, latest Ventura. Same thing happens with the AE beta.

       

      • The crash happens randomly but regularly after about 10 minutes of working in AE regardless of graphics settings in the operating system and in AE.

      • AE is the ONLY program that does this. I use a lot of different software, including other CC applications, and the computer is generally very stable.

      • I've uninstalled and reinstalled AE AND the operating system.

      • I DO NOT have any plugins.

      • I've had this issue for several months now. 

      • This makes it impossible to work so please help me.

       

      Thanks.

      D
      defaultxnapr2tn7d7h
      Participant
      February 13, 2023

      We can not open our previous projects on the new AE update. How do we fix this?

      S
      SAMIR5EDA
      Participant
      February 8, 2022

      M
      Mohammed5DA0
      Participant
      September 17, 2021

      Adobe After Effects needs to be run in Windows 8 Compatibility Mode to make it work

      E
      Erin270817516q1q
      Participant
      November 23, 2022

      Agree with you

      quote

      Adobe After Effects needs to be run in Windows 8 Compatibility Mode to make it work


      By @Mohammed5DA0

       

      Y
      YesBR
      Participant
      March 4, 2021

      Hello,

      I am working and suddenly, that happens, it says: don´t answer. So, what I can do now? I can´t loose my job.

      Thanks in advance.

      BR 

      H
      hannaha58007009
      Participant
      February 2, 2021

      Hello, I have been having this problem with after effects it will not let me do anything first it will make both my computer screens go black then turn on and the after-effects screen looks like this.

      I don't know what to do. I uninstalled it and reinstalled it and restarted my computer but nothing seems to help this problem.

       

      S
      smooth_video5EEA
      Participant
      February 13, 2021

      This is exactly what has been happening to my computer after I've started up After Effects and then attempt to open a project I was working on previously. I've gone through and updated my graphics software, I've tried reverting back to a previous version of After Effects, and occasionally something works and I'm able to work on the file again, but that can change in just a few hours. I haven't been able to figure out the common cause here and this has been going on for the past couple of weeks off and on. 

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