Slow performance after updating Illustrator to version 26.0 (2022)

[Louis5ECF]

I updated illustrator 25.4.1 to illustrator 26 this morning. What a massive sh*tty update: you basicaly can't do thing, every action trigger the apple color wheel for ten seconds. So I rolled back to the previous version that worked fine before that and... same. Color wheel, color wheel, color wheel everywhere. So adobe, I hope that one day I could leave your environment.

{Renamed by MOD}

[wzgb]

Same here. I have updatetd to the current MacOs. That did the magic.

[marliton]

Hi. I updated too and I don't have any issue. Please try resetting the preferences, that could be helpful: https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/user-guide.html/no/illustrator/using/setting-preferences.ug.html

[darrenb18306087]

After getting very frustrated with the laggy update I also reset the preferences. This seemed to work and now back to full speed. Thank you.

[Srishti Bali]

Hi there,

I would like to know if the steps suggested above worked for you, or the issue still persists. If not, please try the suggestions shared on this page.  Also, please confirm which operating system is this? 

Kindly update the discussion if you still need assistance with it. We'd be happy to help.

Regards,

Srishti

[Louis5ECF]

Hi,

I did what you suggested, unfortunately it doesn't work. Please test your apps before releasing updates. You're just wasting everyone time and money by releasing "updates" with stuff that nobody care.

[r0xanne]

I see none of the problems listed above have been addressed.  I put off updating until a couple days ago and quickly gave up on 26 and reinstalled 25.4.  I tried the suggested fixes and nothing helped the lagging. The program would operate okay for a while but then it would start slowing down. Switching from one tool to another would probably take more than an actual second. I'm working on a Mac with Monterey.

Roxanne

[Terng5EB2]

for me is Windows version, i try made a clean install of Windows then clean install of adobe illustrator 2022

its terrible work process, every movement of object i have to wait about 5-10 second to move

really sh*tty slow performace

[emilymaliszewska]

Same here, it's so frustrating and I use illustrator every day for work. it takes SO long to do a simple action and is making me look very unprofessional to my clients.

May be time to switch to different software...

[luis_0510]

I'm presenting a lot of issues as well. The program crashes all the time, closes unexpectedly, and is not even letting me open it for the last two days! I have an excellent computer, so I'm blaming this new version. I NEED HELP ASAP; I have deadlines!

[George Ambroz]

Al updates installed... Nothing helps. Weirdly, outline mode is the slowest! How is this even possible?

[Anshul_Saini]

Hi All,

Sorry to hear about the trouble you are facing. In addition to @marliton & @Srishti Bali suggestions, you may try the following steps and let us know how it goes:

1. • Firstly, close all the software or services running in the background or run the app in Safe Mode (Mac/ Windows) 
   • Rename the CEP folder to CEP.old from the following location:
     MAC: /Library/Application Support/Adobe
     Windows: C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe
   • If that doesn't help, rename the UXP folder to UXP.old from the following locations:
     MAC: /Library/Application Support/Adobe
     MAC: ~/Library/Application Support/Adobe
     Windows: C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe
     Windows: C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe

   Kindly update the discussion if you still need assistance with it. We'd be happy to help.

   Thanks & Regards,

   Anshul Saini

[GoodBullyLLC]

I tried every solution in this discussion and it actually made the problem worse.

Before trying the solutions Illustrator was simply slow, now simply attempting to select an object causes Illustrator to stop responding. 

Specs:

Illustrator 26.0.2

OS: Microsoft Windows 10 Pro Version 10.0.19042 Build 19042
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-10875H CPU @ 2.30GHz, 2304 Mhz, 8 Core(s), 16 Logical Processor(s)
Installed Physical Memory (RAM) 32.0 GB
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 w/ Max-Q Design

[Anshul_Saini]

Thanks for trying the steps, @GoodBullyLLC. I would request you to please try the steps suggested below and let me know how it goes:

• First clean uninstall the application using the CC Cleaner tool and restart the system (most important) reinstall from the Creative Cloud Desktop app.
• Try the steps shared on this third-party help article (https://www.amd.com/en/support/kb/faq/gpu-110#faq-Customizing-Graphics-Performance-Preference-for-a-...)

• 1. Open the "Nvidia Control Panel."
  2. Select "Manage 3D Settings" under 3D Settings.
  3. Click on the "Program Settings" tab > "select a program to customize" > Illustrator > Select the preferred graphics processor for this program > Integrated/ High Permonce/Global settings. Check one by one in which Illustrator runs fine.

• Try creating a new user account and see if that helps.

I will be looking forward to your response.

Regards,

Anshul Saini

[oumanomano]

I had same problem--tried the suggestions from Adobe and none worked. Re-installed Ai 25.4.2 and works fine. The update clearly wasn't tested properly before release.

[Srishti Bali · Accepted solution]

Hi all,

We understand how frustrating performance issues are. We have consolidated the most popular solutions that help fix these issues. Please check this help article for more details.

If you still need help, feel free to reach out. We'd be happy to help.

Regards,

Srishti

[jefc302]

Please tell who ever is in charge of software dev that a lot of people who've used Adobe for many years are complaining about the same slooow issue!! It's been this way since CC started with this cloud BS...it sucks!!! I for one hate it and will never use the cloud features. I have a very  dry capable 2019 Mac Pro with more memory than needed as well as a very high end GPU. So it's not my machine or "viewing in outlines" or any other stupid setting that should not require someone who paid for the software yearly year after year to "try and turn off" to operate correctly. How about making and deploying it at its best performance then letting people choose the addional "features" if they want? Seriously considering switching to affinity. - long time Adobe user since 1995.

[Monika Gause]

Please contact Customer Care. They can look inside your system to figure out why yours is not performing: https://helpx.adobe.com/contact.html

[jefc302]

Just to clarify my earlier post...it wasn't 1995 but around 1997 or when ever illustrator 7 was released. I've tried clean installs of my latest OS then only Adobe CC and still had the same slow issue I've tried this multiple times with different OS since 2018 with my previous Mac Pro including my new Mac Pro. Same result. Just yesterday I stared a new doc with 3 tabloid sized artboards designing a logo with 3 different fonts and there was lag with every simple task...people who work fast will understand the frustration when you get a .5 to 1 sec lag for every simple task like drawing a line or coping and pasting a word. I've used previous illustrator versions in CS with very complicated files and multitudes of layers and artboards without issue so I know it's possible. 
Mac Pro 2019; Mac OS 12.5; 3.2 GHz 16 core intel XW; 240 GB memory; Radeon Pro W6800X 32 GB; 1 TB hard drive with 930 GB of free space and 4 additional scratch disks available.

[oumanomano]

Srishti, with all due respect, the "correct answer" as defined in the help article is an entirely lame attempt at solving the issue--"install a postcript printer and print something?!!" Did they pull this out of the Ai manual from 1987?! Your tech team should read the threads to see how users solve Adobe software issues....

[Soo5FF2]

I have a great machine and need to run adobe illustator with different softwares....is there a reason why the latest update is so slow? I tried all that was recommended and it's still slow....this is extremely annoying to see the rainbow pinwheel for every action I take and it's annoying that the response to the action is so lagged....this is unacceptable especially at the cost we all pay for....

[Monika Gause]

I have a great machine

By Soo5FF2

Please give us details.

[Anshul_Saini]

Hi @Soo5FF2,

We are sorry to hear about your experience. Would you mind sharing a few details like:

• The exact version of OS & Illustrator
• System specification
• Does beachball occur while performing a particular action/ using a specific effect or tool?
• Does it happen in a new file or an existing file?
• Where are your files & links saved (Network Drive/ System HDD/ Shared Folder on System/ External HDD)?
• What other application are you using simultaneously with Illustrator?

We are here to help. We just need more info.

Thanks & Regards,

Anshul Saini

[Dave22384896ez5w]

Have the same problem. Over and over again , Every update is even more worse then the previous one.

Also i am hoping on 1 good day i finally can leave the Adobe environment.
Alternatives are getting better and more compatible. And Adobe is digging its own grave with so much rubbish updates and even killing the PAntone books! The only feature i used adobe for....

Millions and billions are more important to Adobe the directors and stock holders  then customers and prolongivity, they have their millions now. And whatever happens after is other peoples problems, also for all the Adobe employees here on fora can probably shuff it after Adobe is at it's end.

[jdeyoung01]

To the "we understand your frustration" response: CLEARLY YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND OUR FRUSTRATION. IF YOU DID, YOU WOULD JUST FIX IT SO IT WORKS CORRECTLY ALL THE TIME!!!!!!!