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.

[Vladislav26200866maoc]

Hello everyone. I had the same problem on my work computer, and here's what helped me personally.

• 1. Rename the “Plug-ins” folder located at C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Illustrator 2025. For example, rename it “Plug-ins123”.
• 2. Then restart your computer.
• 3. Go back to C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Illustrator 2025 and rename the folder back to “Plug-ins.”
• 4. After that, copying started working without crashing.

P.S. After completing all of the above steps, you can also disable GPU Performance when launching Illustrator and click on the “Restart All Warning Dialogs” and “Reset Preferences” buttons. After completing all the steps and checks, I re-enabled GPU Performance and everything continued to work properly.

[Mystical_artist1591]

You can finally pin a WINNING workaround. In Layers, uncheck "Paste Remember Layers".  I've tested this, I was able to "break" my Illustrator by enabling that feature, and doing a Copy/paste.  I then went onto a user's machine that was having the issue, unchecked that feature, and copy/paste is no longer broken. They can also re-enable this option, and now, copy/paste continues to function. You're welcome, everyone.

[Danielle28302250pv9r]

This does not work for me, but I'm glad it works for you!

[Danielle28302250pv9r]

This does not work for me, but glad it works for you!

[Anubhav M]

Hello everyone,

We have received reports from several customers that the latest Windows Defender security intelligence update - 1.435.148.0 has potentially fixed this issue.
Could you try installing the update and letting us know if it helps?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Anubhav

[Mystical_artist1591]

My workaround is known to fix the issue that you folks are chasing. The workaround is to uncheck this feature "Paste Remembers Layers".  I've tested this and verified this, it will fix the issue for the users. This issue occurred for our users on both Windows 10 and 11 so it's not specific to version, it's about this feature.   Users who wish to solve the issue, please open an illustrator document, go to the Layers section on the right, click on the hamburger.  Uncheck the feature above, and then test copy/paste. You will now be able to copy/paste, and yes, you may now re-enable that feature if you need to use it.  The End.

[Carol35262613zs8q]

Our company tried that. Didn't work. I'm happy for you, though.

[Melissa33344119158l]

No luck here either. Mine wasn't checked to begin with. I tried it then, both checked and unchecked. Went right to crash city both times.

[Mystical_artist1591]

The CONFIRMED workaround for MOST USERS, is to uncheck this feature "Paste Remembers Layers".  So please open an illustrator document that normally gives you this problem, go to the Layers section on the right, click on the hamburger.  Uncheck the feature "Paste Remembers Layers", test copy/paste.  You may then re-enable that feature after you successfully test a copy/paste action (should you need to utilize that feature). 

[Bobby Henderson]

If other people are saying your work-around isn't working for them then it just isn't working.

The actual solution that does seem to work is applying the latest Windows update.

[Kyra25828911yph8]

I am currently able to copy and cut content again. I didn't see any updates available to download, but I restarted my computer and it is working now. 

[cathy_6954]

Me, too. As of this morning.

[angelic_jubilee2651]

Day 8 - issue still occurs, security Intelligence update not working for me because windows already indicates that I am with the latest version:

Even though I have clicked the Check for updates it is still the same, unfortunately I cannot get the version of 1.435.148.0 as you and I don't think you should expect all users are having same version since there are security policies for different companies and it might take more days until the company pc get another update - by that means, I have to wait for more days to see if there is an windows update and it might "potentially" fixed this issue? COME ON!

Please work with MS for a more precise solution instead of telling us to deal with windows system by ourselves, we don't want the illustrator get screwed everytime if there is a windows update happening, we already paid Adobe for the applications and paid MS for the system and you guys are asking users to figure out the solutions - FUNNY!

[Lou was here]

This worked for me - updates auto ran overnight and it's back to normal! ❤️

[StrangeShenanigans]

Yup great, all fixed -thanks team 

[Myra D]

Yeah! It's working again!

[Moustafa Idris]

I installed the latest Windows Defender Security Intelligence update (version 1.435.148.0) as suggested, and it completely fixed the issue. Copy/Paste in Illustrator is now working smoothly again.

Thanks to the Adobe team and community for the support! Hopefully this helps anyone else facing the same crash.

[JKaroSPG]

**ANOTHER POTENTIAL FIX TO TRY**

My team has had luck when uninstalling Ai from the Control Panel in Windows and then reinstalling. We needed our IT's help with that. We suspect Adobe may have fixed the issue. Oddly, my Ai is now working fine and I did not restart or uninstall anything. Perhaps something updated in the backend, but I did not see it.

[jane-e]

My team has had luck when uninstalling Ai from the Control Panel in Windows and then reinstalling. restart or uninstall anything.

By @JKaroSPG

In case others see your post, the best way to uninstall/reinstall is from the Creative Cloud Desktop, not from the Control Panel in Windows. See the steps here: https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/help/uninstall-remove-app.html.

Also, can you tell us your version number of Windows Defender Security Intelligence?

Jane

[Earthling v42.0]

This is my work-around without any crashes today:

• Saving file as an .eps 
• instead of copy/paste, I drag item to a Library, then alt+drag it where I want it
• I manually type the text that I need. 

I have to wait for our IT to approve and send an update to my computer like Anubhav suggested. His post is pinned to the top of this Discussion board.

Good luck everyone!!

[FABIOLA SOLED22078730wk0l]

No puedo copiar - pegar en el programa, ya que al querer realizar dicha acción, el programa se congela y no responde, tengo que cerrar por completo el programa para que este vuelva a funcionar de nuevo, pero sigue sin realizar dicha acción, ya desinstale he instale el programa pero el problema persiste.

[gianvitulano]

Hi Fabiola,

does this problem occur with all files? On which OS are you running Adobe Illustrator? What are the features of your computer?

[FABIOLA SOLED22078730wk0l]

¿Se produce este problema con todos los archivos? si

¿En qué sistema operativo está ejecutando Adobe Illustrator? de 64 bits

¿Cuáles son las características de su computadora? es una lenovo con Windows 10

De hecho ya funcionaba, pero de repente empezo hacer esto.

[Victor34750799nil6]

Desde las últimas actualizaciones NO funciona copiar/cortar/pegar correctamante. Y NO lo arreglan...

[Monika Gause]

Do you have any kind of software installed that messes with the clipboard?

This could also be a virus checker.