Severe lag in Illustrator since updating to 2025 version a few months ago and copy/paste issues.

[defaultnhpo25mrc9lj]

After installing and using the updated version (as well as the previous version after the install), Illustrator lags and takes about 2 seconds to respond to any click, command, or interaction. I've tried working in new files, old files, restarting, remote files, local files, etc. Nothing changes it.

It's starting to affect my efficiency and I need to find a solution. I've already read other conversations about this, and none of those answers are my issue. I don't have Magnet or any third party apps. I'm on windows. My laptop handled the programs perfect before the updated software was released. 

Specs:

13th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i9-13950HX 2.20 GHz, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090, 32GB ram. 

Also, worth noting: About 6mo - 1yr ago I noticed that copy/paste across the creative suite just randomly doesn't work. I've tried multiple keyboards and just using the menus. It mainly affects live text, but other things sometimes as well. If I copy multiple elements and one of them is live text, none of it will copy/paste. It happens between all CC programs I've been using, PS, ID, and AI.

[Monika Gause]

If you cannot copy/paste, then something else is interfering.

Does it all work better when you boot into Safe Mode?

[defaultnhpo25mrc9lj]

Hello, Thanks for your reply. I just tried the "safe mode" boot and opened a file. It still lags just the same. I can't replicate the copy/paste yet because it's so intermittent. 

[Monika Gause]

Several things have been identified to interfere with copy/paste, such as:

• Parallels Toolbox running with the Clipboard History
• LogoTech Keyboard management software
• TeamVewer Clipboard > Use Shared Clipboard
• Apple iOS device simulator from Xcode
• Windows Multi-clipboard
• Windows Clipboard History
• Clippy
• Chrome Remote Desktop
• Mouse Pointer Highlighter
• AnyViewer
• Pastebot app
• Overzealous antivirus (Digital Guardian) as well as viruses that empty the clipboard
• Vector Magic

Did you reset the preferences when updating?

(this will erase your settings)

[defaultnhpo25mrc9lj]

Thank you, I've checked many of these with no resolution.

I would prefer help with the lag issue over the copy paste issue if you have any ideas. 

I reset all preferences, rebooted the software and uninstalled any extra third party apps on my system. 

There's still a 1-2 second response to any input within the program. And it still turns grey with a "Not Responding" message occasianally if I do too many things too quickly.

[Monika Gause]

Probably staff can help you. @Anshul_Saini can you help?

[Bobby Henderson]

According to your computer's hardware specs it should be more than powerful enough to run Illustrator very well. Dumb question: is the driver for the RTX 4090 up to date?  The current version of the NVidia Studio Driver is 566.36 released on 12/10/2024. I prefer the Studio Driver over the Game Ready Driver. I'd also recommend checking for updates to other hardware components in the computer (including firmware updates). Some brands of Windows computers are good about providing push notifications for such updates.

If all the hardware drivers are up to date and the lag is still persisting I'd try using the CC Cleaner Tool to completely uninstall Illustrator, reboot the system and then try re-installing Illustrator. The CC Cleaner Tool can be good at removing corrupted files that don't always get fixed when simply resetting Illustrator Preferences.

[defaultnhpo25mrc9lj]

Thanks, I just updated the driver and it didn't change the issue. I'm looking into the CC cleaner tool, but it's a little intimidating. I'm connected to a larger network and need to be careful to not delete any files. I'll probably diconnect and give it a try over the weekend.

[creative explorer]

@defaultnhpo25mrc9lj  When you uninstalled it did you use Adobe Cleaner? From Adobe's website? Just to make sure all of Illustrator 2025 is removed. I wouldn't trust any other third-party website, only adobe.com,
https://helpx.adobe.com/ca/creative-cloud/kb/cc-cleaner-tool-installation-problems.html

Next, was Illustrator 2024 running the same issues? Did your recently upgraded toIllustrator 2025? 
Try using Illustrator 2024 if it has the same issues. 

I had a similar issue with Adobe Illustrator / Chrome issues, and what Apple told me (I am on a MAC) was to uninstall Illustrator, and Chrome (both applications lagged and gave me the spiining wheel of death!) but also manually remove the contents in the Preferences and Cache (Library) on the MAC, and restart the Mac. Then install the apps again one for Adobe Illustrator through, adobe.com and the other was Chrome. Once I did that, the Mac is working great! No more lagging or issues in general! 

[defaultnhpo25mrc9lj]

Hey there, I haven't run the cleaner yet, but it's my next approach. Just for reference I had AI 2024 running smooth with no issues until the updated 2025 versions released a few months ago. After it installed, both 24 and 25 versions started running with lag. I did try uninstalling 2025 and 24 still had lag. It must have had something to do with the entire update. 

[Anubhav M]

Hello @defaultnhpo25mrc9lj,

I'm sorry to hear about the trouble you're having with performance in Illustrator. I hope the suggestions shared earlier helped resolve the problem. If not, would you mind performing a clean reinstallation of the GPU drivers (Intel / NVIDIA / AMD) and setting the Graphics Preference to High-Performance for Illustrator (https://adobe.ly/4h33PiH) and checking if it helps?

Also, try running Illustrator under a different administrator account (Windows / macOS) and share your observations.

If the problem persists, kindly share more details, like if Illustrator behaves this way with all files/files from different folder locations, the system report from Illustrator (Help>System Info) and Windows (https://adobe.ly/4iZaGM1), and a screen recording of your workflow and the problem, so I can check it with the team.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Anubhav

[defaultnhpo25mrc9lj]

I will update you after trying everything on the list to troubleshoot. The drivers didn't make a difference. I opened the performance graphs under the task manager and noticed that while the CPU and both GPU panels stay relatively mild during the AI lag, the ethernet panel is spiking high in response. I have very good internet speeds and I've run several tests. The only variable I'm curious about is that I have a Raspberry Pi blocking ads within my network. It was added around the same time I started to get lag in Adobe. I'll try disabling it to see if that was interferring in some way.

[alicel25038346]

Hello,
I have the same issues.
Specs of my laptop running on windows 11 family: 13th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i9-13980HX 2.20 GHz, 32 GB Ram, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060.
I tried to downgrade the version, my Nvidia Studio Driver is up to date but nothing change. Let me know if you resolve the probleme. I'm also looking for solutionsof my own. It's really annoying, using Illustrator has been a nightmare for sevral months.

[defaultnhpo25mrc9lj]

Hey, I don't have a 100% solution yet, but I'm currently working in my work office without issue. Previously I was working from home with the issues. When I was at home, I actually tried disconnecting from my internet completely and the program was running as it should. When I reconnected to the internet, the issues returned. 

I believe my issue specifically is with the Raspberry Pi that was installed to block ads. I started having this issue at the same time, but I just now narrowed it down because that same week two other major changes happened. My work's IT created a new server to connect to and Adobe released the updates. But the Pi is connected to my local home network and intended to block any ads. It's somehow interferring with Illustrator specifically in a negative way. It didn't seem to affect Photoshop though.

[alicel25038346]

Thank you for your feedback!
Nothing is working on my side.
I tried disconnecting the internet but illustrator is still slow. I tested different version, I thougt for a second that 28.7.3 worked better, but after uninstalling and installed back it's still slow even with this version. I read a lot of feeds with peole having the same issues on mac or windows and with good specs. So I can't figure out for the moment, why with a recent laptop with good specs it's slower than ever. Opening the character panel take almoste 10 sec, when I deselect the text it took again 5 sec. I can't work like that.

[Anubhav M]

Hello @alicel25038346,

I have sent you a DM. Kindly check.

Anubhav

[Canon Menon]

The lag is 100% caused by MS Outlook.  Turn Outlook off and then copy and paste and it works like a charm.  This has plagued me for years, but I finally tested so many variations and came across this solution.

I have the exact same problem with lag with Illustrator 2025.  It slows down the whole laptop (brand new HP, 3 weeks old).  Go figure!

[alicel25038346]

I turned off outlook and it seems to be better, there is still some lag especially when I open a new document but is much better than before. Launching Illustrator through the Creative Cloud didn't fix the issue for me.

Maybe I have another application as Outllook which is conflicting wtih adobe. I should try to turn off one by one to see if I see any improvment.

Thank you for sharing!

Honestly adobe should find why their sowftware doesn't run properly if another software is install.

[Paul23131023z2sa]

I have also been experiencing a really laggy Illustrator 2025. Interestingly, if I launch Illustrator through  the Creative Cloud desktop, it works without problem. If I launch it using the shortcut on my start menu, it runs as people are describing.. Unusably slow!

[Canon Menon]

Paul, you are absolutely right.  Launching Illustrator from CS Desktop solves the lag.  Thank you so much, Paul.

[Maria Jose0D45]

I was having the same problem as all of you, and opening AI from the CC Desktop app definitely solved the issue.

Thanks!