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Guiarderius
Participating Frequently
January 17, 2024
Answered

Random issue with color flickering in Illustrator.

  • January 17, 2024
  • 5 replies
  • 3999 views

The issue is that colors randomly flicker within the workspace. This only happens in the workspace, as you can see in the video, where menu and tool elements do not flicker. This issue is unique to Illustrator. Thank you in advance for your help!

    Correct answer Anshul_Saini

    Yes, thanks. Now I've encountered the error again while working, and switching from GPU preview (which I always use) to CPU preview has stopped it. I am attaching a video in which it can be seen.

    However, I can't work with CPU preview as it is very slow, and I understand there shouldn't be any issue working with GPU. Could this suggest that there is something wrong with my graphics card? Or could it be a compatibility issue with Illustrator? I'm working on a Macbook M1 Max. 

     

    If we see that there is no solution, I will check with Customer Care. Thank you.


    Hi @Guiarderius,

     

    Thank you for providing additional details about the color flickering issue in Adobe Illustrator on your Mac running macOS Ventura 13.4. The fact that switching from GPU preview to CPU preview temporarily resolves the problem is indeed interesting.

     

    To further investigate and help you, could you please:

    • Check if you encounter the issue after upgrading your macOS to the latest version (macOS Sonoma).
    • Share information about your external monitor setup if you are using one.
    • Provide details about your Mac's specifications (such as the model, RAM, etc.).
    • Share a screenshot of your color settings in Adobe Illustrator.

     

    This information will assist us in understanding the issue better and providing more targeted assistance. If the problem persists, reaching out to Customer Care is a good step, and they can log into your system to explore further possibilities.

     

    Thank you for your cooperation, and we'll do our best to help you resolve this issue.

     

    Best,

    Anshul Saini

    5 replies

    peterthomsen
    peterthomsen
    Participant
    August 14, 2025

    Same issue. I think I found the solution:

     

    I switched Proof Setup (View—>Proof Setup) from Working CMYK to Monitor RGB. So far this has alleviated the issue. The colors appear correct and no more flciker.

    Monika Gause
    Community Expert
    Monika GauseCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    August 14, 2025
    quote

    Same issue. I think I found the solution:

     

    I switched Proof Setup (View—>Proof Setup) from Working CMYK to Monitor RGB. So far this has alleviated the issue. The colors appear correct and no more flciker.


    By @peterthomsen

     

    Probabl< it will be better to turn off Color Proof altogether, because a random setting will not do the job.

      W
      wlym
      Known Participant
      July 21, 2025

      M4 Macbook Pro (Sequoia 15.5) here experiencing the flickering when using GPU. ONLY in Illustrator, not InDesign, Photoshop, Calendar, Mail, etc... But of course, Adobe says we should contact Apple?! 

      Monika Gause
      Community Expert
      Monika GauseCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      July 21, 2025
      @wlym  schrieb:

      But of course, Adobe says we should contact Apple?! 

       

      Can't see that in this thread. Maybe you can point to where that has been written? 

      T
      totaison2
      Participating Frequently
      July 31, 2024

      Hi, I am experiencing this from day one with my Macbook Pro M2 Max. I have everything up to date (sonoma and illlustrator). Randomly illustrator make colors flickering during cursor movement (usually when changing between apps or when back from sleepmode). If I stop moving cursor, flickering stops, or when changing to cpu and back to gpu. At least two years with this without any solution... You can see clearly in my attached video (when menu appears, I am changing from gpu to cpu and gpu again). This is very annoying and weird at proffesional level.

       

      My setup:

      Macbook pro m2 max

      Apple studio display (also occurs on laptop screen)

      Sonoma 14.5

      Illustrator 28.6

        Monika Gause
        Community Expert
        Monika GauseCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        August 1, 2024
        @totaison2  schrieb:

        Hi, I am experiencing this from day one with my Macbook Pro M2 Max.

         

        Is Photoshop running as well?

        Do you have a Window Manager installed?

        T
        totaison2
        Participating Frequently
        August 1, 2024

        Hi, yes, I usually have Photoshop open at the same time...

        and yes, I have Magnet installed and running... 

        Monika Gause
        Community Expert
        Monika GauseCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        January 17, 2024

        Which MacOS is it?

        Does that also happen when you turn off the GPU preview?

        G
        GuiarderiusAuthor
        Participating Frequently
        January 17, 2024

        It's MacOs Ventura 13.4. Now I'm noticing that when I switch to CPU preview, besides the change in performance and it becoming very slow, the colors are also affected. It seems that when the error occurs, the program intermittently switches from CPU preview to GPU preview, but at no point does it lose performance. It mainly causes visual disturbance.

        G
        GuiarderiusAuthor
        Participating Frequently
        January 17, 2024

        I forgot to mention that the colors flicker when I move the cursor or zoom. Thank you!

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