Adobe InDesign 2021 (v. 16) stuck on opening dialog at first start-up

[Adriaan V.]

Hi everyone,

I just became an adobe member and downloaded and installed InDesign through the creative cloud desktop. When I start the program it opens a dialog screen where he tries to load something in. After 1 to 2 seconds it closes again to then re-open and trying to load again. It keeps doing this in an infinite cycle of opening and closing (see picture).

I cannot do anything with the program, starting a new document stops the cycle but in the dialog that opens  it shows nothing.

So far I tried uninstalling and reinstalling, doing a full restart, and I tried version 15.1.3 which has the same problem! I cannot find any clear solutions to fix this.

I use Windows 10 Home 2019

64-bit system, x64-processor

Intel core i7 - 10750H CPU @2.60 GHz

16 GB Ram

Thank you for your answers!

[Derek Cross]

Welcome to the InDesign forum.

Try resetting the InDesign preferences.

1) Close InDesign
2) Double click on Adobe InDesign's icon to launch it
3) QUICKLY hold down Ctrl+Alt+Shift. (for Windows) or CTL+OPT+CMD+Shift (for Mac OS X)
4) When a dialog appears, ask you “Delete InDesign Preference Files?” Click Yes.

(If you don't see the question do it again.)

If that doesn't help return here for more suggestions.

[Adriaan V.]

Hi Derek,

Thank you for your answer. After a few tries I got the dialog and clicked Yes, it then continued starting up.

Once the program was open, that same dialog stayed open a bit longer than usual but after 3 seconds or so it returns to the same cycle and the problem is still there.

Also, I didn't mention, closing that dialog with the X in the corner closes the whole program.

So if you have more suggestions, please, I'm open!

[Adriaan V.]

I have the impression the program tries to connect to a server or log me in or something, but keeps failing. When I turn WiFi off it freezes on a white screen in front of the program.

[Geоrge]

https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign/troubleshooting-weird-indesign-problems-101-error-new/td-p/1...

[Adriaan V.]

Thank you, I'll check this out.

I now installed a different program from the creative cloud desktop and on startup it has exactly the same problem.

[Adriaan V.]

UPDATE

I narrowed down the problem and found a temporary fix although it does not fully fix the problem.

When I log out of the creative cloud and launch InDesign from the desktop the dialog does open and asks me to log in. Once I went through that procedure I can use the program.

Though! When I close the program and log back into creative cloud and launch the program from there the problem is back.

Logging in is very tedious, every time entering the code and my password when I want to use the program is not comfortable situation. I hope a better solution can be suggested.

[Adriaan V. · Accepted solution]

Found it!

I had to log in at adobe DC reader that I was already using for a long time

[Laubender]

Hi Adriaan,

when you say:

"…Logging in is very tedious, every time entering the code and my password when I want to use the program is not comfortable situation."

So "every time entering the code"… Does that mean that a double-authentification process is running in the background where Adobe insists that you have to enter a six-digit number? And that number is sent to you by mail? Plus after that, you have to log in as well with your Adobe ID?

I've seen such a tedious procedure with some of the installations of Creative Cloud at the university where I do my lecturing. Every time I connect to the server using Remote Desktop and start up whatever installed Adobe app there is, Adobe insists on that double-authentification process and sends me a six-digit number by mail to complete my log-in to e.g. InDesign or PhotoShop.

Not that I know how that can be set to "normal" again.

Just want to know if you experience something similar.

Regards,
Uwe Laubender

( ACP )

[Adriaan V.]

Hi Uwe,

While the problem was occuring the only way I found make it work at first was to log off from creative cloud, then launch the program where I had to log in and it asked me the full double authentification proces every log in. I used 7 codes just today.

But, as you can read above, I found the solution to my problem so if all is well, I should just stay logged in.

I wouldn't know how it would be with a shared computer situation as you have at your university, but do you first log in to the creative cloud or do you open the programs from the desktop? I think it would make a difference as it seems creative cloud holds everything together.

But I'll be honest, I'm really new to all of this, so don't take my word for it!

My best