Document becomes unresponsive once I turn on Overprint Preview

[tak.izm]

I am using an M1 Macbook air on latest OS Sequoia. 

When I turn on overprint preview, the whole document becomes unresponsive. I am unable to turn it off, the cursor disappears and I can't click any objects on the document. The axis rulers move when I scroll but the actual document does not scroll. The only way to escape this is to restart the whole application. 

This seems about 60% of the time I use Overprint Preview, and typically when I am on GPU preview, and not on CPU. However Indesign performs much worse on CPU preview in my experience. 

Does anyone have an explanation for this? I can't find anything online. I have tried reinstalling and resetting preferences. 

As expected this has a pretty big impact on my workflow so would love to get it sorted out. 

Thanks!

[Abhishek Rao]

Hi @tak.izm,

Thanks for sharing the details. I tested Overprint Preview on the latest build, and it worked fine on my end. Could you please confirm if you're using an external monitor and whether the issue occurs only when it's connected? Also, let me know if this happens with a specific file or with all files, and share the exact InDesign version you're working on. If possible, please attach a short screen recording of the behavior, so I can review it further.

Looking forward to your update.

Abhishek

[tak.izm]

Hi Abhishek, 

I'm not using an external monitor, just using the laptop. 

This issue happens with all files, no matter how big. It even happens with simple text documents with no linked files. 

I am using InDesign 20.5 . I've had this issue for a while which makes me think it's the laptop, but it's got to the point where it's unbearable now. 

Will try and get a screen recording tomorrow

[tak.izm]

Hi sorry for the very late reply I have been away. I have attached a screen recording of the problem I'm having. The file is a simple text document and I toggle between both CPU and GPU performance. 

[leo.r]

This seems about 60% of the time I use Overprint Preview, and typically when I am on GPU preview, and not on CPU.

By @tak.izm

Do I understand correctly that it only happens when you have GPU Performance turned on, but never when it's off?

Also, how much RAM do you have?

[tak.izm]

Correct, although general performance is worse on CPU preview this issue doesn't seem to happen. Only when I'm on GPU. 

8GB RAM

[leo.r]

Correct, although general performance is worse on CPU preview this issue doesn't seem to happen. Only when I'm on GPU.

8GB RAM

By @tak.izm

The 8 GB RAM may contribute significantly to your issue. While 8 GB is the official supported minimum for InDesign, in reality it's barely sufficient to keep InDesign afloat. That's why you have unsatisfactory performance in general.

The GPU mode is in general known for various problems that affect some users from time to time without any kind of established consistency. And with 8 GB RAM, in my view, you can't expect any kind of advanced performance anyway. Should you have at least 16 GB, the GPU mode might work with no issues. So at this point you'll simply have to settle for CPU performance.

[tak.izm]

Agreed I could do with more RAM. However this issue persists even when working on a simple text document, which an M1 macbook should be able to handle easily. Which makes me think it's a bug, not a hardware issue. 

I've attached a screen recording of what happens 

[leo.r]

However this issue persists even when working on a simple text document, which an M1 macbook should be able to handle easily.

By @tak.izm

That's just your guess at this point. In your case, it's not just "M1 Macbook", but InDesign with both Overprint Preview and GPU Preview on. In addition to all other processes your machine has to handle. You either need more RAM or settle for CPU preview. Do you have access to a machine with at least 16 GB RAM? If you're able to reproduce this problem there, then you have a better chance to consider this issue a bug.

I also wonder if you have the same problem wit the new InDesign 2026?

[tak.izm]

Hi Leo, 

I assumed this was only happening on GPU preview, but as shown in the screen recording, it happens regardless of whether I'm using CPU or GPU preview mode. 

Sometimes I use a M2 macbook air (8gb RAM) and I never have this issue 

[rob day]

Have you tried the regular troubleshooting —clearing caches, and if that doesn’t work, trashing preferences? Also does it happen with all profile assignments—Edit>Assign Profiles...—does it happen with the defaults, AdobeRGB and US Coated SWOP?

[BobLevine]

Short version of Leo's post. You do not have enough RAM...Full Stop!

[rob day]

general performance is worse on CPU preview this issue doesn't seem to happen. Only when I'm on GPU

Hi @tak.izm , GPU Preview doesn’t work flawlessly on all displays—given that Overprint Preview is working when you have CPU turned on seems to indicate a graphics card problem rather than limited RAM. You might be able to tie activating CPU and Overprint Preview together with a script.