Illustrator Flickering Workspace Background

[Goose Marketing]

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! 

[smashkirk]

I have the same problem. It occurs in Illustrator, XD and InDesign. I'm using Macbook Pro M1 with an external monitor. This has been happening for a long time now, probably over a year. 

[cyclopsdx]

Although it's still not been fixed I've found a quick workaround for stopping the flickering whilst I'm using Illustrator - Go to top menu, select View > Overprint Preview, then switch back to normal view again. That appears to resolve it for me - until the next time.

[cainamrtin]

Thanks, this is much faster than closing and reopening the software 😄

[cyclopsdx]

Upgraded to 27.2 and the flickering problem is back. My previous workaround still works, though.

[LizaMurphySydney]

I am having the same Issue Mac Mini with external Samsung Monitor. Really irritating having to quit illustrator after sleep mode every time. the flickering is not something you can gnore. its really distracting.

[edin_pasovic]

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)

[peterk95479582]

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.

[steve-bbb]

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]

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

[Zen Creative Agency]

yep, same problem here (amongst 1000 others)

[Anubhav M]

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/12967..., and a screen recording of the problem from https://community.adobe.com/t5/illustrator-discussions/screen-record-an-issue-on-windows-amp-macos-f...? This will help us investigate the issue further and find a solution. Thank you and we look forward to your response.

Thanks,

Anubhav

[Michal30658209d88r]

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.

[cyclopsdx]

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]

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-f...), so we can investigate this further?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Thanks,

Anubhav

[cyclopsdx]

Hi @Anubhav M 

The problem I have is that, whenever I try and screen record, the issue seems to stop. I'll try and capture it on my phone next time and upload the footage to you.

[Michal30658209d88r]

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]

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).

[Ross5FB7]

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]

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

[cyclopsdx]

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]

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. 

[steve-bbb]

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

[Monika Gause]

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@steve-bbb  schrieb:

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

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Which ones would that be?

[GillesVI]

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]

Probably on Sonoma?

There are still so many issues with it.

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