InDesign blank window when switching displays

Report · Feb 01, 2024

When having a file open in InDesign 2024 on my Macbook Pro (Sonoma 14.2.1 OS), close the lid, plug into my LG UltraFine external monitor and wake the computer up, the InDesign window is still open and all the tool bars are visible and working, but the area where the artwork is becomes black/blank and I can't see the work. I can see the bounding boxes if I select all, but no image or text. The window is entirely blank. The same thing happens if I'm working on my LG monitor, unplug the display and then open the Macbook to work. I always have my Macbook closed when plugged into the LG display and use both an external keyboard and trackpad. The solution is to always save, quit InDesign and reopen. If I go through that it works again. Is it a bug with Apple? Is it a bug with Adobe?

My LG firmware, OS and Adobe InDesign are all updated to the latest versions.

Report · Feb 01, 2024

I found a similar post that suggested deleting InDesign preferences. That has seemed to fix the problem.

Report · Feb 02, 2024

Well I thought deleted preferences fixed the problem, but it's happening again today. I had my file open on my external monitor at home, unplugged to go work at the coffee shop, open the macbook up and the window is blank again. I had to shut down InDesign and reopen it to continue working.

Report · Feb 02, 2024

I tried to uncheck the GPU performance and turn off GPU Preview, which allows me to see the work again, but if I move or scale objects the screen goes blank while my curser is moving the selection.

Report · Feb 07, 2024

Hi,

Sorry to hear about the trouble. We did receive similar reports and the issue was resolved after updating the macOS Sonoma to 14.3. So please try that and let us know if this helps or if you need further assistance.

Thanks

Rishabh

Report · Feb 07, 2024

Thanks @Rishabh_Tiwari. I'm updating the OS now. I'll let you know if the issue happens after the install.

Report · Mar 14, 2024

I have updated the OS and have all the latest updates of InDesign and I'm still having the issue. My only work around is to change from GPU preview to CPU preview, but then I loose the animation when zooming and moving around objects gets a little glitchy. Ultimately I have to save my work, close the file and reopen it.

Report · Feb 20, 2024

I'm running macOS 14.3.1 and I have this issue too. Everytime I unplug or plug in my monitor to my Macbook Pro 2023, I have to close and reopen my inDesign files because the artboard is completely blank. Thanks.

Report · Mar 14, 2024

Yes, same. It only happens when unplugging from the monitor or plugging into the monitor when an InDesign file is open. If you go into "View" in the menu bar and change to "View using CPU" (first on dropdown) that at least lets you see the work so you can save it or make any adjustments before saving. I don't like the CPU preview mode because it gets a bit glitchy when trying to align objects and move things around. It also gets wierd with the zoom in and out because it doesn't animate the zoom so you can't see how far your zooming until you release.

Report · Apr 04, 2024

Any updates on this issue yet? I have all the latest software inc macOS Sonoma 14.4.1.

Report · Apr 04, 2024

Just to add I am experiencing the same issue with Photoshop.. and Illustrator flickers and glitches when i move the mouse. The problem occurs when switching monitors or when i wake my macbook after lunch on the same monitor. I have to completely restart as the glitches persists after just a software restart.

Report · Apr 05, 2024

I have also been experiencing this same issue for over a year now (the flickering in Illustrator when an external monitor is plugged in or unplugged). Usually toggling Presentation Mode on and off fixes it for me! Annoying bug(s) for sure.

Report · Apr 25, 2024

Also experiencing this issue, since updating to 2024 version of InDesign, as is our whole studio team. We are using new Apple monitors and macbook pros. The issue occurs equally using new Apple monitors and a BenQ monitor. Only solution we've found is to quit and reopen InDesign, which of course is not ideal. OS installed: Sonoma 14.4.1. Any updates on when this will be fixed?

Report · Apr 25, 2024

Have you tried just closing and re-opening the document itself instead of InDesign? That works for me.

Report · May 01, 2024

Yes, for me too. I can close just the document and reopen and it usually works. If I'm in a pinch I can toggle the "Preview on CPU" on to see the artwork, but that preview mode is super glitchy when zooming in/out or moving objects around.

I connect via the USB-C. Does anyone connecting with an HDMI have the same problem? I haven't tried that yet.

Report · Jul 02, 2024

I can drag my window over to a cheap Dell monitor as a quick fix, but after a few times it doesn't work. I have also deleted the Preferences several times, at best, that is another short term fix.

Adobe needs to deal with this. I'm tempted to start sending them invoices for my downtime. For most of us, our Adobe products are not toys.

Report · Jul 02, 2024

Adobe's turned into Boeing. Customer service and product quality is second to shareholder happiness. The latest fiasco with the user agreement and how they've rewritten sections that do a 180º from what was in it is now par for the coarse. Illustrator had pink eye for months—the entire artboard would go hot magenta when you left the app for a period of time—they fixed it, but it started up again eventually. This was going on for over 2 years. Currently it appears to be fixed. InDesign's had this blank screen for about 6 months. Doing the math is disheartening (so somewhere around summer of next year it might be fixed). Apple Silicon has them stumped, except for the exceptional Photoshop team. [Yes, I'm exaggerating to make some points.]

Report · May 01, 2024

Same issue here unfortunately... Updated MacOS system, no gpu preview and deleted Adobe prefrences. Still the screen turns gray when plugging in and out the hdmi cable which is connected to a LG screen. What can I do to fix this?

Report · May 01, 2024

Same issue here unfortunately... Updated MacOS system, no gpu preview and deleted Adobe prefrences. Still the screen turns gray when plugging in and out the hdmi cable which is connected to a LG screen. What can I do to fix this?

By @Michiel5FE3

Are there any other ways to connect to this display with a different cable (USB-C etc?)

Report · May 01, 2024

I have the same problem when connecting via USB-C, so it appears to not be an issue with the type of port. It's a GPU display issue.

Report · May 08, 2024

I'm having the same issue. Just started about a week or two ago. I've been on Sonoma for about 6 months, and InDesign 19.1 just as long. I did update my OS just last week to the latest patch, but I'm thinking it might have started before that although I can't remember exactly. New Macbook 6 months ago, although I don't think it's a computer issue. Like Karen, I believe it's related to the GPU toggle since I can get it to show and hide just by toggling that box back and forth.

Report · May 16, 2024

Downloaded the most recent version of InDesign 19.4 yesterday 05.15.24... Running it on my work computer MacBook M1 Pro 16" 2021, Sonoma 14.4.1 OS and having the same issue when closing the laptop to go to a meeting. Once re-opened, all InDesign pasteboards for every opened document is blank. When pressing command A, I see object bounding/text boxes but on a black screen. PLEASE HELP!!!!

Report · May 16, 2024

Downloaded the most recent version of InDesign 19.4 yesterday 05.15.24... Running it on my work computer MacBook M1 Pro 16" 2021, Sonoma 14.4.1 OS and having the same issue when closing the laptop to go to a meeting. Once re-opened, all InDesign pasteboards for every opened document is blank.

By @Gary36555096x7dv

Do you have the same problem with 19.3? You can revert from the Creative Cloud app:

Report · May 17, 2024

I've had the same issue with previous versions and it's still happening with all of the latest updates. I'm about to throuw Adobe in the trash. Adobe, when are you going to fix this?

Report · May 17, 2024

I've had the same issue with previous versions and it's still happening with all of the latest updates. I'm about to throuw Adobe in the trash. Adobe, when are you going to fix this?

By @karenh74245468

Frustrating but it's certainly an uncommon issue.

First, did you try to run the general troubleshooting steps:

https://www.rockymountaintraining.com/adobe-indesign-rebuilding-preferences-cache/

Also, try to create a clean new account in System Settings > Users & Groups - will it make a difference?

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InDesign blank window when switching displays