Skip to main content
G
Goose Marketing
Participant
May 20, 2021
Answered

Illustrator Flickering Workspace Background

  • May 20, 2021
  • 22 replies
  • 27960 views

Whenever I move my mouse on some of my Illustrator files, the background grey flicks between two shades of grey really fast and it hurts my eyes. I've recently just converted over to a new Apple Mac Mini with an M1 chip, so I don't know if this has anything to do with it (not sure if the issue is related to GPU or not). It also happens when I zoom in and out too. The only way to make it go away is to close and reopen the document. It will be fine for a while and then it will start up again. Again, not on on all documents, and not all of the time, just sometimes and it's just a minor inconvenience! I've attached a little screen recording as an example. 

I've done lots of searching and I can't find any resolutions yet, I'm thinking it's just a bug. Unless I'm wording this all wrong! 

    Correct answer MagnusC

    BTW, Unchecking GPU performance doesn't do anything...


    When the screen goes crazy to you have to:
    1. Open Settings/Performance

    2. Uncheck GPU Performance

    3. Click OK to close settings

    4. Open Settings/Performance again

    5. Check GPU Performance

    6. Click OK to close settings

    22 replies

    M
    MagnusC
    Participating Frequently
    March 12, 2024

    Adobe, will you please fix this! It’s been years since it was first reported and we still have to disable and then enable GPU-Performance again to stop flickering after swapping external screens. (Using v. 28.3)

      W
      Waldo35100592wtsf
      Participant
      May 7, 2024

      ADOBE!! This problem is already going on for several years now. Please get this problem FIXED asap. My screen is  a STROBOSCOPE. We don't pay you for software that behaves like this. It simply isn't workable!! Macbook Pro M2 / 2x External DELL 27" Thank you for a final solution. 

      W
      Waldo35100592wtsf
      Participant
      May 7, 2024

      BTW, Unchecking GPU performance doesn't do anything...

      G
      GillesVI
      Participant
      February 23, 2024

      Got the same issue, here in Feb. 2024, with a MCBP M2 14 inches and a Iiyama 27 inches monitor.

      A REAL fix would be much appreciated !

      Monika Gause
      Community Expert
      Monika GauseCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      February 23, 2024

      Probably on Sonoma?

      There are still so many issues with it.

       

      You might want to contact Customer Care, https://helpx.adobe.com/contact.html 

      C
      cyclopsdx
      Inspiring
      October 14, 2023

      It does seem pretty preposterous that Adobe are now building technology into their tools that will, literally, create elements from written prompts, remove entire backgrounds and even fill in missing frames of video footage, but they can't resolve a two-year screen flickering problem. With the billions they make from us users, you'd think they'd spend a few thousand bucks on similar hardware and assign some testers in a room to try and replicate the issue. It's not like this is the only discussion thread where this is a problem, either. A simple request - sort your GPU Performance issues out. If you don't know how, remove it from Preferences so that our workflow isn't affected.

        smashkirk
        smashkirk
        Inspiring
        October 14, 2023

        I agree! It's probably a complex issue that can't be solved too easily. Plus fixing it isn't a huge money maker. They are facing a lot of pressure from competition so they are spending a ton on new features to help drive new customers. Follow the money. 

        S
        steve-bbb
        Participating Frequently
        January 20, 2024

        probably busy replicating the tools which affinity serif are getting ahead with

        R
        Ross5FB7
        Participant
        October 13, 2023

        How has this not been resolved yet!? This thread is also marked as "solved", disabling GPU performance to fix the issue is not "solved".

         

        Since then I've done every MacOS update and Illustrator update, as soon as I try to re-enable GPU performance the issue is back.

         

        I'm not running any unusual set-up, it's simply an M1 MacBook Pro connected to a 4K Samsung monitor.

          smashkirk
          smashkirk
          Inspiring
          October 13, 2023

          It's definitely not solved. But I've had to "let it go" as they say. I have work to do.

          M
          Michal30658209d88r
          Participating Frequently
          October 13, 2023

          The problem persists in the latest October 2023 release (v. 28.0, MacOS 13.6 Ventura, Macbook Pro M2 Pro).
          I guess GPU acceleration is basically a no-go on Macs.

            smashkirk
            smashkirk
            Inspiring
            October 13, 2023

            Yes, it's still very much an issue. My go to "fix" for this is, after waking up my computer and going into Illustrator, I do Command+E twice. It switches GPU off and then on. The problem then goes away (until the next computer wake up).

              M
              Michal30658209d88r
              Participating Frequently
              September 18, 2023

              The latest 27.9 version has the same issue (M2 Macbook Pro). Disabling GPU Performance also disables this display glitch, but this effectively takes away all the advantages of GPU acceleration. This is not a solution, and it is not "solved" at all.

              C
              cyclopsdx
              Inspiring
              September 18, 2023

              Still the same problem for me, too. Updated to 27.8.1 with the latest Ventura OS. The shifting workspace windows appears to be resolved but the flickering issue isn't. I notice this is a long-term, lingering bug, too - over two years old!

                Anubhav M
                Community Manager
                Anubhav MCommunity Manager
                Community Manager
                September 20, 2023

                Hello @Michal30658209d88r, @cyclopsdx,

                 

                We understand how frustrating it can be to experience technical issues while working in Illustrator. Would you mind sharing more details, like the exact version of the OS/Illustrator and a screen recording of the problem (https://community.adobe.com/t5/illustrator-discussions/screen-record-an-issue-on-windows-amp-macos-for-sharing/td-p/12967727), so we can investigate this further?

                 

                Looking forward to hearing from you.

                 

                Thanks,

                Anubhav

                Zen Creative Agency
                Zen Creative Agency
                Known Participant
                May 21, 2023

                yep, same problem here (amongst 1000 others)

                Anubhav M
                Community Manager
                Anubhav MCommunity Manager
                Community Manager
                May 31, 2023

                Hello @Zen Creative Agency,

                 

                We apologize for any inconvenience caused by technical issues. To better assist you, could you please provide us with more information such as the specific version of your operating system and Illustrator, your system configuration including CPU, GPU, and memory, a sample file from https://community.adobe.com/t5/illustrator-discussions/share-your-files-in-6-simple-steps/td-p/12967531, and a screen recording of the problem from https://community.adobe.com/t5/illustrator-discussions/screen-record-an-issue-on-windows-amp-macos-for-sharing/td-p/12967727? This will help us investigate the issue further and find a solution. Thank you and we look forward to your response.

                 

                Thanks,

                Anubhav

                S
                steve-bbb
                Participating Frequently
                May 1, 2023

                same issue - screen flashes black and also seems to switch between different colour settings - this happens for 10-20 seconds and either settles back (with all the panels and windows out of place and settings lost) or it just locks up sometimes

                 

                using m2pro 16gb with studio diplay illustartor27 with macos fully updated - 

                 

                i do not get any of these problems with an adobe apps on my work office pc which is a 16gb i7 running windows10

                Anshul_Saini
                Community Manager
                Anshul_SainiCommunity Manager
                Community Manager
                May 3, 2023

                Hi @steve-bbb, @peterk95479582,

                 

                Thank you for reaching out. We apologize for the inconvenience caused. Our product team is aware of this issue, and they have been trying to identify what is causing this for a long time, but they aren't able to replicate the same behavior at their end.  They have requested the following details to investigate the issue further:

                 

                • Does this happen randomly/ intermittently?
                • Screenshot of the Activity Monitor in the CPU & Memory tab when it happens.
                • Note down apps opened in the background.
                • Screenshot of Mac device from About this Mac
                • Display(s) specification - Brand, Model No. & Screen resolution.
                • Is it happening while working on a specific file or all?
                • Illustrator version in which this is happening.
                • Screenshot of Color Profile/ Settings
                • Is Photoshop opened simultaneously or running in the background? Does closing it resolves the issue?
                • Does turning off GPU Performance from the Ai preferences help?
                • A screen recording of the issue would be really helpful.

                 

                We understand that this is a lot of information, but it will further help us investigate the issue. We appreciate your cooperation and will be looking forward to your response.

                 

                Best regards,
                Anshul Saini

                peterk95479582
                peterk95479582
                Participant
                April 25, 2023

                I am having the same problem. I have an external monitor and it always happens after waking from sleep. I am fully up to date with both software and OS.

                E
                edin_pasovic
                Participant
                February 1, 2023

                Confirming that this is still happening in 27.2 version, every time I get out of sleep mode back into Illustrator AND InDesign as well. Happens in both programs when GPU acceleration is turned on, regardless whether they're open on an external monitor (IIyama 34" ultrawide) or on the Macbook 14" itself (M1 Max model)

                Show more replies
                Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
                Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices