InDesign blank window when switching displays

[karenh74245468]

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.

[Angelfisch]

I just upgraded to a new Mac Mini with Apple Silicon chip. I have the latest Adobe software, and I'm seeing this same issue. For me, it goes away if I use CPU Preview instead of GPU Preview. I thought GPU Preview was supposed to be better, but I guess I'll stick with CPU preview.

[barriet36548854]

Exactly the same problem for me – only answer seemed to be saving, closing, and re-opening the file.

Changing the 'View Preview' has worked like magic. 

[Angelfisch]

I was having this issue after upgrading my Mac. It would go away if I used CPU Preview, but that didn't feel like a good fix. I then read about restoring default InDesign preferences (I had copied all old preferences), and that has fixed the issue. I just had to make sure to save my workspaces and keyboard shortcuts. 

[skobe media]

Having the same issue for maybe a year now. not sure what exactly triggers it but coming back to indesign from another app or plugin in or unpligin an external display seems to do it. Same issue as shown in @Laubender screenshot. I'm on a macbook air 13", M3, 2024 and InDesign 2025 20.4.1 in german language. Very annoying. But yes disabling GPU Performance makes the grey disappear for now. I'll post again should the issue reoccur.

Please join in everyone who experiences this issue to raise awareness for adobe to react to this. Just comment a simple "+1" or upvote at the top. Thanks! ❤️ 

[jiveaces]

October 2025 and I have this exact same problem. Over a year and a half and no fix?

[Grundoon Groundhog]

My screen also sometimes turns bright pink.

[Manuel33575430gqeg]

It's baffling that this isn't fixed yet...I have this problem since the beginning of 2024 - and because I use a macbook with different displays at least 5-6 times a day - and every new update I hope it's finally patched, it's really annoying.

[Grundoon Groundhog]

The wheels of Adobe grind exceedingly slow if not exceedingly small.

I have to save the invisible document and quit the program, then reopen. This is on my desktop computer.

[matthewe5262730]

It's happening to me too (macbook pro/apple display.) I'm eager for this to be addressed.. it's pretty disruptive.

[CarolynJL14]

Hi there, I've searched the community and the web for this glitch and can't find it. unfortunately the latest updated to both software and OS haven't fixed this.

Basically, if I leave my design for a little bit, and then come back to it (say after a meeting)
I find that as soon as I tap the page with my cursor – the entire layout (all pages) disappear. Everything else is still present including my pages column on the right. But the only thing that seems to bring it back is saving and restarting the programme which obvs isn't convenient.

Anyone else experienced this and/or has a fix?

Many thanks
Carolyh

[BobLevine]

Sonoma?

Try turning off the rulers in InDesign or toggling the GPU Performance preference.

[CarolynJL14]

Hi Bob

I've tried the GPU already, will give the rulers a go and see if that makes a difference (it's not a consistent glitch) and update here.

Thank you

[CarolynJL14]

Ok update, As soon as I clicked the rulers to off – the screen went blank and now I can't get it back haha. Guess I'll be restarting the app again!

Just restarted it and toggling the rulers on and off isn't affecting it now. Will try with the rulers off for a bit to see if it helps

Might be Sonoma and Adobe not talking to eachother properly yet

[Derek Cross]

Have you upgraded to InDesign 19.1?

[CarolynJL14]

Hi Derek, yep on the latest indesign version!

[Rishabh_Tiwari]

Hi,

Sorry to hear about the trouble. This has already been highlighted to the Engineering team, and the bug is logged. Please stay tuned to this discussion for updates. 

Thanks

Rishabh

[CarolynJL14]

Will do thank you

[CarolynJL14]

@Rishabh_Tiwari Please can we have an update. the issue is still on going. literally just happened to me on the latest version of indd. I have people inboxing me for answers - which I obviously don't have.

Can you get the engineers physically on this please. logging the issue isn't enough.

[Barb Binder]

Hi Carolyn:

InDesign is still not supported on Sonoma. 😞

~Barb

[CarolynJL14]

They're working on the bug so not a forever issue at least 🙂

[shueyrenee]

I've been having this issue too and found that toggling the display performance between Typical and High Quality will sometimes bring it back. It's still very annoying.

The latest Photoshop update has weird bugs for simple (copy+paset) actions as well. I just upgraded my computer because the creative suite updates were taxing my iMac more and more. To find that, even with a brand new machine and more computing power than I could ever use, the newest Adobe programs are THIS buggy - very disappointing. 

[Derek Cross]

The vast majority of users seem to find Photoshop rock solid. Please start a new thread in th Photoshop forum and include your system specs and a list of some of the "bugs". 

[Robert32194799hqfj]

One and a half years later haha... sigh

[davidr21094623]

Is that true?

[VVky]

I've found toggling the GPU performance preference does work, but only while it is toggled off. If it is toggled back on again, the grey screen comes back - so I suspect this is where the problem lies. 

It is a workaround that can help finish off something, or keep you going if you're in the middle of a meeting. But it requires a restart to be able to use the GPU again