InDesign 2025 SLOW

[Bigwig]

Just started using ID 2025 this morning and I'm noticing a LOT of lag time with pretty much any activity. I'm running a Mac Studio with an M2 Ultra, so it's not my computer. I've tried some simple troubleshooting but it is simply not responding like ID 2024. Help!

[cyclopsdx]

All these issues are still occuring for me. Here's the screen recording again of what's happening. System details same as previous post.

[HARSHIKA_VERMA]

Hi All,

We are sorry for the bad experience. Would you mind trying the steps suggested in this article: https://adobe.ly/4jvhujJ and let us know if that resolves the issue?

We will try our best to help you.

Thanks,

Harshika

[Haggi Hug]

I really don't like the answer.
The article only deals with generalities, all with the thought: It's not us, it's the stupid user.
When I install a new version of the programme and THE ONLY thing that has changed is this: Then it's not the setup. It's because Adobe stubbornly and regularly brings out Indesign versions that are not performant and then leaves the user out in the cold!!!
The current problem has existed for so long and nothing - I repeat: nothing! has changed.

[zevendesign]

Would it be possible to release an update that runs smoothly out of the box, without requiring extensive manual tweaks just to achieve normal performance? It’s a bit concerning that a performance guide needs to exist at all—especially one that involves disabling 15 different features just to make the software usable.

[zevendesign]

Would it be possible to release an update that runs smoothly out of the box, without requiring extensive manual tweaks just to achieve normal performance? It’s a bit concerning that a performance guide needs to exist at all—especially one that involves disabling 15 different features just to make the software usable.

[cyclopsdx]

Unbelievable. Now this problem occured today (attached screengrabs). When GPU Performance is switched on (which is the only way I can get it to function qucikly enough) I now get redraw issues when switching layers on and off. The attached are two different layer examples.  If I use Overprint Preview, the problem goes away but slows my workflow down again. When I switch Overprint Preview off, the problem reoccurs. This software is so broken, it's past pathetic. 2024 is still working fine, even without the 19.5.4. update, which I'm petrified of installing in case it causes further issues. This version is clearly disfunctional - when do I get my subscription refund?

[Frans v.d. Geest]

Which OS? Which OS version?

[Mike Witherell]

Hi Bigwig,

Try exploring this compendium of troubleshooting advice:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign-discussions/reset-indesign-preferences-and-other-troubleshoo...

and a similar article about slowness:

https://trainingonsite.com/145-how-speed-up-indesign-2025.html

[MAK_ACE]

I had the same problems with speed. Was still using ID 24 (19). But since the update to 20.3.1 i can work normal with ID25. Didn't change anything on my computer, iMac 27_2020_3.8 GHz 8 core with 64 GB memory. So i'm happy that - atleast for me - it works again.

[zbulaja]

No idea what happened, but all Adobe programs work with speed of light in past couple of days.

I didn't do anything, but possibly they finally fixed the issues. I can even open 3-4 programs at the same time and still be able to work without lagging. Hooray!

[Craig McLaughlin]

I was so happy to read your post above. I raced to install ID 2025 this weekend and was looking forward to unleashing its power this week. Opened my first job file (a 36 page magazine) and all seemed fine, until I clicked on a placed image and hit the delete key ..... spinning ..... spinning ..... spinning ..... spinning. Over four minutes until I could do anything else. I force Quit and uninstalled. Back to ID 2024. Sigh.

[Anubhav M]

Hello @Craig McLaughlin,

Could you share more details about the exact version of the OS/InDesign installed, and if you encounter this behavior with all files or files from a specific folder location (internal/external/removable drive or a cloud-synced folder like Google Drive/Dropbox/etc.), so I can better assist you? Also, try running InDesign under a different administrator account (Windows / macOS) and under Safe Mode (Windows / macOS), and share your observations.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Anubhav

[Craig McLaughlin]

Hello Anubhav,

I'm running Mac OS 13.7.5 on an iMac Retia 5K, 27-inch, 2017 with a 3.4 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i5 and a Radeon Pro 570 4 GB and 32 GB 2400 MHz DDR4 RAM. All files are on my local HD.

I've already uninstalled ID 2025 so can't trouble shoot it in Safe Mode.

[Abhishek Rao]

Hi @Craig McLaughlin,

Thanks for sharing those details, and I’m sorry to hear you had to roll back after that frustrating experience. 

If you're open to giving InDesign 2025 another shot later, I'd recommend testing it in a new local admin user account and also in macOS Safe Mode. That can help identify whether background processes or user-level preferences are causing the slowdown. Since you've uninstalled for now, no worries, but if you do reinstall, we'd love to help troubleshoot more closely.

Also, just to double-check, was the issue happening with only that 36-page magazine file or with other documents as well? Moreover, please confirm the exact version of InDesign 2025 like 20.3, 20.3.1 or the latest 20.4. 

Looking forward to your update.

Abhishek

[zbulaja]

It's happening with just any file. It's not the 3rd party apps.

There is a serious problem with your software, and It occurs to me that it has something to do with some background processes that are running, but I am absolutely not sure.
You should take this seriously, it brings a lot of pain to all of us.

And of course, a feature that works without any issues is monthly billing for the software.

[Craig McLaughlin]

I reinstalled version 20.3.1. Seems to be working now. I’ll keep you posted if things change.

[zbulaja]

I withdraw every word I wrote above... after some more time and updates, it's just as slow, irresponsive and f*ed as it ever was.

I don't know what caused it again - previously I killed all Adobe background processes in Task Manager and everything started to run normally. Now I'm trying to re-create what I did, but alas, doesn't help.
So the problem is not solved yet.

[SeanMcClellan]

Sticking with 2022 version. Maybe they will figure it out by 2026.

[aniri5j9ox8tw2ln]

Unfortunately, the opposite is the case for me. Since the last updates, working with ID has only become slow! I disabled GPU in the settings, disabled the font preview, deleted the cache and all other preferences and set them up again. Nothing... every time I want to switch from an app or from the finder to ID, endless beach ball! It's just frustrating to work like this!!! Adobe fix this please!

[cyclopsdx]

What's interesting is that I've just spent the last three days retrieving, opening and resaving old files - some dating back to 1998. I have been using a 12-year old iMac running Mojave and I've been using QuarkXpress 2017 and InDesign 2021 to open various legacy files and edit them. One thing that is abundantly clear is that, with the exception of having to relink files and update fonts, these two older pieces of software have been blisteringly fast and I've suffered no lagging, no glitches, no problems, nothing. It's been an absolute joy to work with software that responds as quickly as I can physically execute an action.

What real value do the updated versions of InDesign add to our current workflow when I have a 2012 machine running software from 2017 and 2021, respectively, and it's blowing my existing configuration out of the water? There's something seriously wrong with Adobe product development when we're regressing with each new update and workflow is being hindered rather than improved. Why are we paying for problems when we should be paying for better working solutions?

[zevendesign]

It seems Adobe fundamentally ignore customer feedback and instead are chasing the pretty AI butterflies that investors (not users) are interested in. This same constant lag is now evident in almost every Adobe product.

[zbulaja]

The only feature that works without issues and lags is monthly billing. I never had any problems with that.

[Mike Witherell]

On both macOS and Windows, the current version runs fine for many, including me personally. All I can continue to suggest for anyone with a sluggish-moving InDesign is to experiment with an assortment of troubleshooting ideas. Here is the compendium of gathered try-this-n-try-that.

[zevendesign]

These support forums indicate otherwise. I imagine the "many" who think it is running fine are new users who didn't experience these applications when they weren't the cluttered, laggy mess that they are now and simply don't know any different.

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

You can't go by the number of forum posts. Users not experiencing problems generally don't post here just to say that. Also, many users probably are not even aware of the forums _until_ they have a problem.

I've only seen a slow down in InDesign with using particular fonts. It hasn't happened enough that I bothered to track down the issue. (I was looking at someone else's files.)