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Answered

Has Indesign become unusable?

Forum|Forum|1 year ago
March 22, 2024
6 replies
5434 views

Coming from the 2022 version 17.x, I today installed the latest 19.3 just to see this:

Just started, no document open, keeps going like this for hours.

Bug

This topic has been closed for replies.

Correct answer Robert at ID-Tasker

It was a question, a doubt. As I explained, I just did an update and it changed what ID did. Back in the day, I started with Adobe CS2. ID, as for what it is, hasn't changed much since then, but the way it works in the background and what it requires from the CPU and RAM has drastically changed. With every version Adobe changed something to the worse, making it more and more less convenient to use. With time you simply learn to live with it. Every new version is a small step towards "unusable". Perhaps the point is reached for me. Means, I need to stick to the older version. Well, regarding the other stuff you mentioned, the actual work with ID, I haven't had the chance to try the 19.3. Maybe there is even more that would freak me out. It's also a matter of point of view . In my POV, exactly those things like syncing unwanted files, CC libraries, sharing or whatever are those things which slow down ID and I don't need them. It's a document design tool, not an asset manager.

In my case, the desktop PC I have is an outdated model so that high CPU usage has a bigger impact. However, I'm not forced to install updates, I know, but especially if you work with a version that has bugs, some of them you found yourself, then you hope for them to be fixed one day. You don't know when, but between 17.4 and 19.3 there were a few updates.

@Doc Maik

Have you seen this thread - this is VERY interesting reply:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign-discussions/high-cpu-usage-while-idle-indesign-2021-2022-2023-2024-versions/m-p/14223182#M549966

Also, your % use of the CPU will depend on how many cores you have - and if your CPU is HT capable.

Can you let us know your EXACT configuration?

CPU, RAM, HDD/SSD, Network, external devices, etc.

James Gifford—NitroPress

Legend

Time to nail this sock drawer shut.

BobLevine

Community Expert

Indeed it is. This "discussion" has run its course and is now locked!

M

Maverick370612416egu

Participant

It is a performance problem that occurs in versions 2021 and above. After waiting 1-2 hours, the processor returns to normal, then more processor usage is observed than in older versions. This is the case even if you use the old features.

I am using the 2020 version and I am very pleased. I will continue with the old version until this problem is fixed.

N

Neil370610571vro

Participant

Absolutely the same problem, Adobe should make a statement about this!

James Gifford—NitroPress

Legend

First, the elevated CPU usage is a known, occasional and seemingly persistent bug. I know it's been addressed in the forum, with comments by Adobe reps that the development team is aware of it and working on a fix. That it keeps recurring is... probably due to a combination of old code, newer OSes and (since it is not a common problem) some combination of platform, OS and version.

But while recognizing that it's not 'nothing' or completely ignorable... how does this dashboard-gauge indicator make InDesign "unusable"? Does the elevated idle CPU usage keep the app from running properly? Or keep any other apps from running properly?

I mean, it's not as if it reduces the laptop's gas mileage. 🙂 And it's not overuse of a finite resource like RAM, where a 'leak' or expanding usage can cripple performance or crash the system. It's just... not running efficiently.

So if this is anything but an annoyance, noticed only because you're a dashboard-watcher... can you explain how and why?

D

Doc MaikAuthor

Legend

But while recognizing that it's not 'nothing' or completely ignorable... how does this dashboard-gauge indicator make InDesign "unusable"? Does the elevated idle CPU usage keep the app from running properly? Or keep any other apps from running properly?

Simple: it reduces the amount of CPU power tasks within ID get. Example: you export a PDF in the background and then continue to work and save the next document - then ID would halt the PDF export for a moment. This is already the way it was before 19.3. ID has a bad process and memory management. Like all Adobe tools, it loads everything upon start, instead of when needed. I see that everyday when working with ID. Photoshop is even worse, by the way. However, this level of CPU and RAM usage on the 19.3 is new. Never had it that bad before, so I simply assume that it won't be usable anymore or at least way worse than before.

The system will limit ID additionally. Plus, I think that the ~30% are already system limited.

Robert at ID-Tasker

Legend

@Doc Maik

People were reporting high CPU usage for ages - it's not limited to 19.3.

As per my screenshot - I don't have this problem so something must be going on with your installation.

I'm not saying that it's your fault - but it will be rather hard to find what is the problem...

You can start by disconnnecting network - ALL network connections - and I mean completely, even with unpluggin cable from the port.

Maybe too many fonts - I know it's crazy, because no documents are open...

Antivirus, etc. - try to disable.

Do you have any extra plugins installed?

Any extra devices connected? External drives, pendrives, etc.

Bill Silbert

Community Expert

If you are on a Mac running Sonoma make sure that it is updated to the latest version (14.4). Earlier versions of Sonoma were not compatible with InDesign. If you are on Mac Ventura make sure that is also updated to its latest (13.6.5). There were also issues with earlier versions of Ventura.

E

Eugene Tyson

Community Expert

The screenshot looks like it's from Windows Task Manager.

E

Eugene Tyson

Community Expert

No, I use it everyday - completely usable.

What's your system specs please? What OS? What RAM? What processor?

Try resetting your preferences:

Windows: Start InDesign, and then press Shift+Ctrl+Alt. Click Yes when asked if you want to delete preference files.
macOS: While pressing Shift+Option+Command+Control, start InDesign. Click Yes when asked if you want to delete preference files.
A dialog will appear asking to delete the InDesign Preferences, select 'Yes' on this dialog.
Further info and instructions here if needed:
https://helpx.adobe.com/in/indesign/kb/indesign-preferences-support-file-locations.html

Even an update to a new version can still reference some old things - resetting your prefences might help.

And if not working

Reinstalling rarely fixes everything - you can do a complete reinstall using the
Creative Cloud Cleaner Tool https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/kb/cc-cleaner-tool-installation-problems.html

D

Doc MaikAuthor

Legend

Thanks, Eugene, but this is a technical problem. I suppose the system requirements have once more been raised, but you don't see why.

The 17.x, when started, also uses a lot of RAM, thought approx. 1 GB isn't the problem when you have 16. The point is the CPU power. Permanent 30% - for what? It's not supposed to sync anything. It's not supposed to do anything in the background. I can imagine why it does that: bad programming. Since ID starts, like, 50 background tasks including the absolutely unnecessary CCX, CC and IPC, I have banned some exe files into archives, the they can't be started. The 17.x

has no problem, though it also uses approx. 6% when running idle.

E

Eugene Tyson

Community Expert

It's important that you can supply your system specs.

I have a Dell 10750H processor with 8gb RAM and can run InDeisgn 2024 with no issues.

I have a Mac M3 processor 32gb RAM with InDeisgn 2024 and it randomly hangs.

I guess I need to know the specs so we can eliminate that as an issue.

You've put some files into non-working modes - which could be problematic.

I've no idea what to tell you - except what I've already suggested.

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