Illustrator EXTREMELY laggy. Both New v30 and past

[Mizuho0101]

Illustrator has suddenly become extremely laggy on my Mac (slow zoom, slow dragging, delayed movement). It was working perfectly until yesterday.
Had installed 2024, 2025 and had been using 2026 for a few days/week. None is working properly at the moment

I have already tried:

• updating macOS

• reinstalling Illustrator (29.8.3)

• removing all Illustrator preferences and cache folders

• resetting Illustrator

• checking "GPU Performance"

• confirming my GPU is active (AMD Radeon Pro 5300, Metal 3 supported)
  
  According to ChatGPT:

Despite this, Illustrator stays in CPU mode and performance is very slow. Other apps work normally.

How can I force Illustrator to use GPU acceleration again, or reset Illustrator’s GPU engine on macOS?

System:
• iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2020, Intel)
• AMD Radeon Pro 5300, 4 GB VRAM (Metal 3 supported)
• macOS Ventura 13.7.8
• 16 GB RAM (Memory Pressure = Green, normal)

Thank you.

[Two26587638srbj]

I am having the same issue.
So far the only way to solve it is to use Illustrator offline...

[yukikikik]

I’m having exactly the same problem. I even reinstalled the software, but it’s still incredibly laggy and completely unusable!!!

The offline method works!!

But I really hope Adobe can fix this issue as soon as possible.

[Ten A · Accepted solution]

Try this:

1. Quit Illustrator, then turn off your Mac's network connection. If possible, unplug the network cable too.
2. Launch Illustrator while the network is disconnected and check how it runs.
3. Once you confirm it's working normally, restore your network settings.

Does it still not work?

[Mizuho0101]

Thank you! This worked! Do you know if this issue has a specific name? I wouldn't have found a solution without this post

[Ten A]

One very important thing to add: NEVER log out of your CC application.

[monokano]

I notice your screen recording is in Japanese - are you located in Japan?
Currently, this issue is believed to occur only on “Mac version + Japan region.”
---
画面収録が日本語版ですが、日本在住ですか？
現在、この問題は「Mac版＋日本地域」でのみ発生すると考えられています。

[Manu_989]

Thank you. I am also in Japan and facing the same issue. The answer by Ten A worked for me. Thank you very much. 

[Jacob Bugge]

これを日本のフォーラムに移せば, Ten A さんの回答がもっと多くの人の役に立つと思います。

If this is moved to the Japanese forum, I believe the answer by Ten A san will help many more.

https://community.adobe.com/t5/illustrator%E3%83%95%E3%82%A9%E3%83%BC%E3%83%A9%E3%83%A0/bd-p/illustr...

[Ten A]

I don't think that's necessary.
There's been a huge uproar in Japan, with so many related posts that it's impossible to keep track of them.

[Jacob Bugge]

Ah, I see, Ten A; and thank you for sharing.

[enricaraviola]

doesn't work me; no problem before i updated to this version; note: the preview of the ai file is correct, just if gpu is working… ad the file exported in pdf is normal and clear 

illustrator v 30

imac retina 5k,27 inch, 2017

4,2 GHz Intel Core i7 quad-core

Radeon Pro 580 8 GB

64 GB 2400 MHz DDR4

[Anubhav M]

Hello @enricaraviola,

I'm sorry to hear about your experience. Could you try the suggestions shared in this help article (https://adobe.ly/4aSxJGz) and see if they help? If the problem persists, please share the following information so we can check this further with the team:

For macOS computers:

1) AISniffer file

- Close all Adobe applications

- Navigate to the Illustrator Preferences folder and copy the AiSniffer file to the desktop from this location: Users/YOUR USERNAME/Library/Preferences/Adobe Illustrator #(version Number)Settings > AISniffer

2) System Report

- You can generate it from the Apple icon > About This Mac > System Report > Save to the desktop.

Kindly upload the files along with a screen recording of your workflow and the problem to Google Drive/Dropbox/etc, and share a public link here or via DM so that we can investigate this further.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Anubhav