Empty canvas, file layers visible - Illustrator on Windows

[Chenyuan5FFC]

Hi Adobe Community,

I'm encountering a perplexing issue with Adobe Illustrator. When I open a file, it briefly shows the contents for a split second, but then everything on the canvas disappears, leaving only a plain background. Despite this, I can still see all my layers and their contents in the layers panel, but no artwork is visible on the actual canvas.

I've tried installing different versions of Illustrator, but the problem persists. Has anyone else experienced this issue? Any advice on how to resolve it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance for your help!

[Anubhav M]

Hello @Chenyuan5FFC,

We understand that encountering technical issues can be frustrating. Would you mind sharing more details, like the exact version of the OS/Illustrator, a public link to a sample file after uploading it to Dropbox/Google Drive/etc., and screenshots of the layer panel so we can better assist you?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Thanks,

Anubhav

[Chenyuan5FFC]

Hi, I have the latest version of Illustratior and I can't open any file, even creating a blank new file will result a blank page like above. 

[Chenyuan5FFC]

[Anubhav M]

Hello @Chenyuan5FFC,

Sorry to hear the suggestions did not help. Would you mind trying the following steps and checking if they help:

• Close all Adobe applications
• Remove Illustrator using the Creative Cloud Cleaner Tool (https://adobe.ly/3Z7iN1A)
• Reinstall Illustrator using the Creative Cloud Desktop application
• Relaunch Illustrator

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Thanks,

Anubhav

[Chenyuan5FFC]

I still have this isuse. Is it possible to have some extension that I can't seems to delete? 

[Chenyuan5FFC]

Delete all extension still not fixing this. 

[Anubhav M]

Hello @Chenyuan5FFC,

Sorry to hear the suggestions did not help. Kindly try performing a clean reinstallation of the GPU drivers (Intel / NVIDIA / AMD) and setting the Graphics Preference to High-Performance for Illustrator (https://adobe.ly/4e4EaEO) and then restarting your computer and checking if it helps.

Also, try running Illustrator under a different administrator account (Windows / macOS) and share your observations.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Thanks,

Anubhav

[Bill Silbert]

Did this start happening after an update to Illustrator? If so then try resetting your Illustrator preferences. This will restore the program to its defaults and hopefully fix the issue.

To reset preferences on a PC:

You can try the quick way of resetting on a PC which is to hold down Ctrl + Alt + Shift when launching Illustrator 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: On Windows 7 and above 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 Name]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Adobe Illustrator [version number]\ Settings\<Language>. Make sure that Illustrator 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.

[Chenyuan5FFC]

Thank you for the instruction, I did what you listed and still, open a file and turn to blank page. 

[Chenyuan5FFC]

I haven't completely resolved this issue yet, but I wanted to share my experience in case it helps someone else facing a similar problem.

I have a setup with three monitors: two Dell 27-inch monitors and one LG 34-inch monitor, which I use as my main display.

I've noticed that this issue only occurs when I have Illustrator open on the LG 34-inch monitor. However, if I close the file, move Illustrator to one of the 27-inch screens, and then reopen the file, the problem doesn't happen.

[Chenyuan5FFC]

Report back, after a day, this happen to all my monitors now, still seeing the file for a blink of second then all turn to blank. 

[Monika Gause]

So you have multiple monitors? You might want to move the Illustrator app to another one and then try again.