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.

[karenh74245468]

Yes, I've dumped my preferences. Uninstalled and reinstalled the app. The issue is still happening. The issue is somewhere in the GPU view and how it responds to changing displays. If I switch to CPU view I can see the artwork, but then the animated zoom doesn't work and moving objects around is laggy. Looking at the thread it looks like I'm not the only one experiencing this.

[BenM8]

It's not an uncommon issue at all, nearly every person I've ever worked with in every creative agency has this issue for the last year at least. We've just gotten used to closing and re-opening as we don't switch from desktop to laptop mode all that often. Most people just don't get bugged that much by it, so don't say anything

[jeffhalmos]

Pathetic.

[leo.r]

It's not an uncommon issue at all, nearly every person I've ever worked with in every creative agency has this issue for the last year at least. We've just gotten used to closing and re-opening as we don't switch from desktop to laptop mode all that often.

By @BenM8

I was originally replying to a post that didn't mention any second monitor hence I thought it's an unusual issue hat involves the laptop only.

[jeffhalmos]

It's kinda unbelievable that this has been a thing for so long. It definitely has something to do with Macs connected to monitors. Doubt it's only DisplayPort. Doesn't seem to be only Macbooks as main machine connected to monitors. But since Adobe still can't seem to remember my personal Workspace setup preferences from one boot to the next I can't imagine they can solve this one either.

[WeBeCreative]

I am one of those people but I'm now super frustrated with this, I hope Adobe fixes this issue, it's very easy to test based on all the descriptions here. 

[Victoria28456690hrku]

Same issue in our 34 strong design team who are constantly leaving and reconnecting to wacom screens. Very frustrating and we haven't found a work-aroud yet.

[jeffhalmos]

Adobe seems to have issues with Apple Silicon from the getgo. I wish they'd spend some time and money and figure this out. It's becoming reliably annoying. As always, Photoshop seems to be the only app unaffected by anything Apple throws at Adobe.

Like James Brown says: "I'M MAD!"

[Cecilia5E25]

I'm just not using GPU anymore. I toggled that off. Probably the way I work, I don't notice much difference. I don't use animated zoom anyway, (I just select the area that I want to zoom to), so I haven't had the problem since then (a few weeks ago?). I know this is not helpful to those who rely on GPU features.

I have plenty of other problems though, plugging and unplugging monitors and laptop. Disappearing windows, apps in stage manager not showing up anywhere no matter how many times I drag my mouse over to that edge,  (both on my laptop OR on either monitor), hidden apps that do not open even when I tab through them, etc, etc, etc. After almost 40 years of working on computers, I'm realizing I'm never going to be totally happy with them! 😞 laughing and crying at the same time! 😄

[jeffhalmos]

The VERY fact that you can flip to CPU and see the art, and then flip back to GPU and it goes blank again just shows that Adobe is STILL failing four years on at working with Apple Silicon. 

[Jennifer5E40]

I have the same issue, Adobe. Would love a fix.

[James3830878120u7]

I have this same issue as well, extremely frustrating

[sydneytheartsit]

Same issue here in July 2024 😞

[Cody2639767568i8]

Same issue for me as well.  Not sure for how long but it's been a while.  I thought this was just a bug on my computer.  Good to know I'm not the only one with this issue. Fingers crossed for a fix soon. 

[jeffhalmos]

Latest version, 19.5, doesn't fix the issue.

[iHatePrinters]

On the latest version of Mac and Adobe, and still having this issue here. 

[Lublune]

I have the same issue.. Please fix it! 

[lukc666]

Same issue - been going on since I got my M1 macbook. I've been closing and reopening files for ~2 years now. Every few months I check if there's some fix for this.

The CPU preview hack remains the only thing that "works".

[studio38541005zbny]

have also had this issue for 2+ years. M1 Macbook pro tried all versions of Adobe INDD

[asif_7627]

It sounds like you’re encountering a GPU rendering issue when switching displays with InDesign 2024 on macOS Sonoma. This problem, where the workspace goes blank, is likely due to how macOS handles the transition between the MacBook’s built-in display and your LG UltraFine monitor, especially with GPU-intensive apps like InDesign.

Your current workaround of saving, quitting, and reopening InDesign resets the GPU context, which is why it works. You could also try resetting InDesign’s preferences or adjusting display settings in macOS to see if that helps. If this issue persists, it’s worth reporting to both Apple and Adobe, as it might require a software update from either party.

For more on optimizing your tech setup, consider resources like ThePackagesPK, where you can find guides that might help with similar issues.

[jeffhalmos]

Yes but. The but is that earlier versions didn't have this issue. So, my guess, is that it's Adobe that's done something. It's been happening in Sonoma and dev betas of Sequoia. I believe the first few versions of this year's ID were fine.

[cd93771380]

Same thing happening to me. Have to quit the file and reopen. Kind of annoying.

[Dennis_Z]

Same here! Multiple colleagues have this issue in the office.
OS: Sonoma 14.6.1  / InDesign: 19.5 / Monitor: LG Ergo 32UN880

It's really annoying. Resetting my preferences as the top comment suggested didn't fix it. Tried reinstalling InDesign, deleting my preferences. 

[jeffhalmos]

Well, don't worry.—it also happens in Sequoia. 

[christyknell]

I just went into my System Preferences for my Macbook Pro, in Displays, and changed the refresh rate to 60 Hertz. I think maybe the newest operating system has a fancy new option that is too different from my external display?