Illustrator Crashes When Copying - Illustrator 29.6.1 / Win 11

[Boon23853857gxj4]

I’m experiencing an issue with Adobe Illustrator where I cannot copy anything. Both Ctrl+C and right-click > Copy cause the software to crash immediately. This has been happening repeatedly throughout the day.

Could you please advise on the cause and any possible solution? It’s really frustrating that Illustrator can’t handle such a basic function like copying without crashing.

[keiths55952771]

When I have the element I want on my artwork and need to make another copy of that element, I pick it and COPY it and then paste it........annnnnnnnd it crashes.

[kerry_8192]

I have not seen anyone ask this question, ARE THERE ANY MAC USERS EXPERIENCING THIS CRASH? I have read hundreds of other people also having this issue and we all seem to be on a PC, and a lot of us seem to be running Windows Enterprise 10 or 11, as well as having Microsoft Defender in the mix. Since the "COPY" feature is usually an universal OS operation, I have a feeling there is a conflict with Illustrator "talking" with the OS clipboard.

[ZSS-S]

There're no Mac users effected. If there were we'd see a lot more people here with both Windows and Mac complaints. That's also why Adobe has been asking people to disable Windows Defender because there was a suspicion an update came through for it and possibly affected Illustrator in some way.

[Simran31086489uqgw]

I can't use that alt-drag workaround because I'm trying to copy paste from another file. Frustrating!

[ZSS-S]

You CAN use it. Open both Illustrator files. In one, use the ALT+Drag to duplicate the piece. Then click+hold the piece you duplicated and drag it to the Tab of the other file you opened. Hold it there and the window for the new file should open for you where you can then release the duplicated piece there.

You can use this same process if you're working with Photoshop. ALT+Drag to duplicate. With Photoshop open, drag the duplicated piece over the PS icon on your taskbar, hold it there until PS opens on the screen for you, and then drop the duplicated piece in PS.

[dana_3537]

This works until you save the file. Once the the second file is saved it will no longer transfer and Adobe Illustrustor will crash.

[ZSS-S]

That doesn't affect me at all, whether they're saved or not. ALT+Drag works on the current file being worked on and while dragging the element to a new file within Illustrator or PS. At least, for me.

[JKaroSPG]

We just tried with Window Defender off and that did not solve the issue in our case.

[JKaroSPG]

Another workaround: 

the browser/web application of illustrator works fine but you lose all of your custom settings so fonts, colors, etc. Not really a solution

We also reset my illustrator desktop application to "factory" settings and that didnt work.

We also checked if it was an issue among other adobe softwares - its not. Just Illustrator

[Sarahfelldown]

1. Does Illustrator behave this way when working with new files as well? For me, no. I just created a new file, and was able to copy and paste shapes and grouped shapes.
2. Is this problem replicable when saving the file as a Cloud Document? I don't know how to do this.
3. As a temporary workaround, try using Alt-Drag while keeping the documents open in tiled/windowed mode, and let us know if it works.  Alt-Drag worked. I was also able to drag from Illustrator to InDesign (which is what I was originally trying to do, my usual habit is copy from Illustrator, paste in InDesign.)

[John23117312vwyg]

Beyond frustrating. 
New files, old files, cloud files. Any files. 
The instant any sort of copy or cut is used, it shuts down instantly. Often it will not recover a file, and if it does, I see n option to 'check system' or 'run diagnostic' like all of the Safe Mode suggestions say will be there.
To say this is an annoyance is an understatement. It is a disaster. As many have said, we have livelihoods on the line. Money and customers are being lost.

[Norberto5F94]

Try saving to EPS ; close the file ; open and close the file 2x to achieve working file with no crashing. Hope its helps!

[keiths55952771]

This is a great workaround, but that would be like if your car doesn't start we have to drain the as, change the oil 2 times and then turn the key. 

I get it, we are are all frustrated, and what gets me is the lack of transparency of Adobe.put out a statement to the compaies/corporations (we are a huge huge corporation) of the issue. This shouldn't be an issue to fix.....o back to the first reported incident and the day before and see what changed....then go from there. 

[Lou was here]

1. Does Illustrator behave this way when working with new files as well?
   Yes - a new, unsaved file, made a square tried to copy it. Immediate crash. 
   
   
2. Is this problem replicable when saving the file as a Cloud Document?
   Yes - new empty file, create a circle, save to cloud, try to copy it. Immediate crash. 
   
   
3. As a temporary workaround, try using Alt-Drag while keeping the documents open in tiled/windowed mode, and let us know if it works.
   Alt-Drag between windowed views did work, but I have to manually place the duplicated objects. Better than nothing but not a great replacement for the accuracy of paste-in-place, and flattens whatever you drag across to a single layer.
   
   

[ideapublications]

1. Does Illustrator behave this way when working with new files as well? YES
2. Is this problem replicable when saving the file as a Cloud Document? NO
3. As a temporary workaround, try using Alt-Drag while keeping the documents open in tiled/windowed mode, and let us know if it works. IT WORKS

[efficient_captain1991]

Please avoid upvoting this thread. Adobe reps often ask generic questions without offering real solutions, and then disappear. If you feel the support chat provided misleading or incorrect information, consider reporting it.

[margaret_3647]

Anubhav M,

Hello everyone,

Our team is still investigating this problem as a priority, and we will share more updates on its progress.
In the meantime, could you share the following information:

1. Does Illustrator behave this way when working with new files as well?

YES

1. Is this problem replicable when saving the file as a Cloud Document?

YES

1. As a temporary workaround, try using Alt-Drag while keeping the documents open in tiled/windowed mode, and let us know if it works.
   The workaround is not ideal. Especially when tasks commonly involve copying and pasting from one document to another.
   Looking forward to hearing from you.

Anubhav

The programmers need to resolve this sooner than later. This is literally crippling business output for a lot of companies.

We are all paid subscribers and the subscriptions are by no means cheap, so we should be able to rely on a consistent quality product from this suite of applications.

[Euan18024828vpim]

The workaround does not enable 'Paste in place' or bring the element to the same area in the artboard so this is still causing issues, Cntrl + D can be used for 'repeat last action' which can negate some of this but this issue needs collaboration between Windows + Adobe and should be escalated to high priority as affecting workflow for a lot of users now.

[Thari DV]

1. Does Illustrator behave this way when working with new files as well? Yes, old files and new files, any type of file- svg, ia, pdf, even my adobe library files tend to cause crashes when trying to open them or drag them into illustrator.
2. Is this problem replicable when saving the file as a Cloud Document? I have not noticed any difference between online or offline files, control copy or dragging something from a library will cause a crash

[KristyGange]

Day 13: August 12th  6:48 AM - Copy and paste still not working. Illustrator crashes EVERY time. It feels like a Windows 11 problem. Are they aware of the issue?

[keiths55952771]

I am on Windows 10 and it is doing this. 

[jacquelinem32886649]

It acts up when I do a copy and paste within the document. Even when trying to move objects, it will freeze and crash. 

[JKaroSPG]

Hello. Thank you for your assistance with fixing this issue. The issue is now affecting more users on our team than yesterday. My Windows was last updated Aug 2, but the issues started Aug 8 for our team. Also, we tested turning off Defender and the issue still persisted. Are there any updates?

[keiths55952771]

Its funny you say that. The issue started on my system on the 8th as well. I thought it was because I work from home on Thursday and Fridays and have to use a VPN to connect to the work servers. So, when I got in yesterday it was still doing it, and after reading all the comments of the last couple of days......it is more of a serious issue than initially thought. 

[Amanda4lb38n9fc]

Still happening. I opened a new doc with literally one single line and its still doing the same. Y'all need to hurry up, i have work to do. This is such a basic function, can't do anything without it