ESC key not working > Illustrator 29.7.1

[cosminm34227949]

I just updated to 29.7.1, and the ESC key isn't working when exiting a text frame. It works in Photoshop or Indesign. Already tried to fix the issue: reseting the preferences , changing the keyboard increment. I don't use any Illustrator plugin which could cause this problem. 
Any other solution ? 

[cosminm34227949]

Installing the previous version of Illustrator fix this bug 😞

[Abhishek Rao]

Hi @cosminm34227949,

I tested this on my end with Illustrator 29.7.1, and the ESC key worked fine for exiting a text frame, so it seems the issue might be specific to your setup. Could you confirm your OS details? Also, have you checked whether this happens with all files or just a particular one? Please review your keyboard shortcuts under Edit > Keyboard Shortcuts to ensure the ESC key isn't being overridden. If the issue persists, try creating a new user profile on your system to rule out OS-level conflicts.

For reference:
Mac: https://adobe.ly/3J497z3
Windows: https://adobe.ly/45ox7V3

Let me know your findings.

Abhishek

[cosminm34227949]

Hi,

OS details :

Edition Windows 11 Pro
Version 24H2
OS build 26100.4770
Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.26100.197.0

- It happens with all the files (even when I create a new, blank file)

- keyboard shortcuts > all okay

- It make no sense to create a new user profile > version 29.7.1 is installed on my laptop as well and ESC key isn't working

[Monika Gause]

---

@cosminm34227949  schrieb:

Hi,

OS details :

Edition Windows 11 Pro
Version 24H2
OS build 26100.4770
Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.26100.197.0

- It happens with all the files (even when I create a new, blank file)

- keyboard shortcuts > all okay

- It make no sense to create a new user profile > version 29.7.1 is installed on my laptop as well and ESC key isn't working

---

Exiting text editing or exiting the preferences dialog: works fine for me with Esc key on Mac OS 15.6

[Chinomatic]

Simple, I use that key a lot in Illustrator, it just stopped working. I've been looking for something related to this recently, but I can't find anything. I've reset the preferences, restarted the computer, no plugins, but nothing works. And yes, And yes, the ESC key is working fine in InDesign, Photoshop, Word... everything. Any thoughts?

MBP 2,4 Ghz 8-Core intel Core
AMD Radeon Pro 8GB
32 Gb Ram
Sequoia 15.6

[cosminm34227949]

Hi,

Temporary solution > install the previous version of Illustrator (I did it, it works). 🙂

Before to to this, don't forget to create a backup of your Illustrator Settings !!!!

C:\Users\USER25\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Adobe Illustrator 29 Settings

[Chinomatic]

Probably is the only solution so far, thank you!

[Anubhav M]

Hello everyone,

The product team has made some improvements in the latest Illustrator (Beta) release. Could you try installing the latest Illustrator (beta) and letting us know if it works for you?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Anubhav

[natural_neighbors5CA8 · Accepted solution]

I have installed the beta version of Illustrator, and everything is working fine.

[Beyza Sasmaz]

Same problem on Illustrator v29.7.1

Esc key should switch to Selection Tool while in a Text Box but it doesn't work.
Works fine on Photoshop and Indesign, so it's not a physical button problem.
I've checked some solutions like changing Keyboard Increment, checking Keybord Shortcuts, resetting Illustrator Preferences but didn't work.

OS: macOS Monterey 12.7.6

[Abhishek Rao]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for reporting this. Could you share a short screen recording showing the ESC key working in other Adobe apps (like Photoshop or InDesign) and then demonstrating the issue in Illustrator? This will help us understand the behavior in context.

Also, please test in Safe Mode and in a new local admin user account to rule out third-party interference or account-specific issues:

Windows Safe Mode: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/start-your-pc-in-safe-mode-in-windows-92c27cff-db89-8644...

macOS Safe Mode: https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/mac-help/mh21245/mac

New User (Mac): https://support.apple.com/en-in/guide/mac-help/mh15191/mac

New User (Windows): https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/manage-user-accounts-in-windows-104dc19f-6430-4b49-6a2b-...

In the meantime, I'll check with the product team to see if we can reproduce the issue.

Thanks for your patience and cooperation!
Abhishek

[wodobo]

Here's a video of it working in InDesign but not Illustrator. 

https://www.loom.com/share/9dc997bd077d43d79ed653e765f33b83?sid=0a0ca378-dded-4447-bea0-27caf716c8b1

I noticed this stop working a long time ago and was pretty frustrated with it. But I've tried to work around it, but tonight it was messing me up bad and I did a search and found out I'm not the only one. We've rebooted, removed preferences/etc. But no dice. 

Please help!

This is a feature that we've depended on and used for well over 10 years. Feels weird to have it gone. 

[Doug A Roberts]

Please check the pinned response. If you are able to try the Beta, it would be useful to get more confirmation of the fix.

[wodobo]

I'm not familiar with where to find the Beta. Any chance you could help? I'm sure it's obvious but it's been a long week and I'm just not seeing it. 

[Doug A Roberts]

Here in the CC app:

[wodobo]

I downloaded the Beta Illustrator and the problem is fixed there. I haven't tested other features, but that specific issue is resolved there. Thank you!

[Doug A Roberts]

Thanks for checking it out.

[introspectivenarwhal]

Why do we have to install another version (a beta version no less) of Illustrator? This shouldn't have happened in the first place. 

[Doug A Roberts]

I'm not suggesting anyone has to, just that it would be useful.

[smn.berger]

I have the same issue.
I deleted my prefs and reinstalled illustrator but nothing is working

[paulg18077112]

In Illustrator, I use the escape button to exit isolation mode. It's easy and convenient. However, yesterday (07/08/2025), I updated my Illustrator app, and now the escape button no longer exits isolation mode. Now I have to find a 'clear' space to double click on or click the arrow at the top of the screen to exit isolation mode; it's pretty disruptive to my workflow. It would be cool if Adobe could change this back. 

[Monika Gause]

Works fine for me.

Can you try rebooting the computer?

Maybe boot into Safe Mode and see if that works?

[Abhishek Rao]

Hi @paulg18077112,

It works fine for me as well. Could you try the suggestion from Monika to reboot your computer and, if needed, boot into Safe Mode to see if the Escape key works there? Reference:

Windows: https://adobe.ly/3HciVX7

macOS: https://adobe.ly/3Hfu2i2

Please update us with your results, so we can look into it further if the issue persists.

Abhishek

[UniqSchweick12]

Hey @Abhishek Rao! I also just started experiencing the same issue within the past day. Tried booting in safe mode as suggested and the problem was still present. Running on MacOS Sequoia 15.6 with an Intel i7 CPU.