InDesign Constantly Crashing

[lizamijburgh]

I am having issues with InDesign 2025 constantly crashing. I even installed older versions in an effort to solve the problem. When I open the application, it freezes, and I have to force quit to close it. It is completely unusable. I have a new desktop computer running Windows 11, enough RAM and a high-speed internet connection. I have uninstalled and reinstalled. Furthermore, I cannot download or open my creative cloud files. It simply says: "Download failed". Any ideas?

[Vivek12]

Hi, Sorry for the trouble. Please try the steps mentioned in the links given below:-
InDesign crash on Launch
InDesign crashes while working on a document

^VS

[Palace Lady]

I have the exact same problem, ever since that update (that I didn't ask for, all of a sudden Indesign 2024 was gone). And so no, Adobe, your solutions are not working, and I shouldn't have to look for them anyway, just make a product that works! 

[Abhishek Rao]

Hi @Palace Lady,

I understand how frustrating it can be when a sudden update causes disruptions. I'm here to help! Let's try to get this sorted.

Please follow the steps outlined in these articles, which address common performance and crashing issues:

1. [Resolve Slow Performance and Unexpected Behavior](https://adobe.ly/3C6SvD2)
2. [Troubleshooting InDesign Crashes](https://adobe.ly/3YAdAP3)

These guides provide detailed troubleshooting instructions that have helped many users resolve similar issues.

If the problem persists after following these steps, let me know, and we can explore additional solutions together!

Best,  
Abhishek

[Kevin36209406y2b6]

this is outdated for Mac

[Abhishek Rao]

Hi @Kevin36209406y2b6,

Could you please share the version of InDesign you're currently using, along with the version of macOS installed on your machine?

I also tried locating any crash reports associated with your community email ID but wasn’t able to find any. When you get a chance, please submit a crash report by following the steps outlined here: https://adobe.ly/4crmpzW. Make sure to include your email address in the report and DM it to me via Community (click my name > message) so I can track the logs and investigate further.

Additionally, if you're on InDesign version 20.2 and using any typeface, please note that there is a known issue currently under review. You can find more details here: https://adobe.ly/43OPC5M

Looking forward to hearing back from you.

Abhishek

[JosieLynMilliron]

I have this same problem. Spent hours today trying to fix it, unstalled creative cloud, cleaned everything, NOTHING. Still crashes after all of that effort. I am furious. 

[Abhishek Rao]

Hi @JosieLynMilliron,

Sorry to hear you're facing issues. Could you please share the following:

1. InDesign version and OS details.

2. Does the problem occur with specific files or new ones?

3. When did this start, and have there been any recent changes to your system (new apps, antivirus, etc.)?

4. Have you tried launching your machine in safe mode?

 - Windows Safe Mode

 - macOS Safe Mode

Also, have you submitted a crash report? If not, please submit one during the next crash and share the details. Ref: Submit Crash Reports

Let me know!

Best,
Abhishek

[defaultvlfrjgicuyz2]

Same problem for me.

ADOBE! There are two factors that is more important than everything else:
- stability
- speed/performance

In both of these areas you have gone completly lost. Give the user an option to install a stable and fast version with less of recent years functionality and you will see most users will prefer that. I cant charge clients for spending a day of trouble shooting your non working software, that is a direct loss of income for me. It seems your skipping the testing part in development and leave that to the users.

[Abhishek Rao]

Hey @defaultvlfrjgicuyz2,

I hear you, and I totally get how frustrating this must be, stability and speed are keys, and I’ll make sure to pass your feedback to the product team.
To assist you over this, would you mind sharing:

1. Your InDesign version and OS?

2. Is it lag, crashes, or both?

3. A screen recording of the issue, if possible?

If it’s lag, check this thread for some workarounds: InDesign 2025 Performance Issues on Mac M1.

Let’s figure this out together!

Best,
Abhishek

[Daté]

I totally agree with the previous comments.
I've also noticed that Indesign Cc2025 crashes quite regularly when I do standard operations, such as duplicating a parent page by dragging the parent page into the [+] button, creating a page or adding a row to a table.
This CC2025 20.1 version is completely unstable and that's not normal.
The stability of the software should be prioritised over the quest for new features, because what's the point of introducing new features into the product if we can no longer use the standard functions that are the basics?

My hardware :
IMAC RETINA 5K
4.2 GHz quad-core Intel Core i7
Radeon Pro 580 8 GB
48 GB 2400 MHz DDR4
MACOS VENTURA 13.6.7 (22G720)

[mirat70183718]

Same here. Duplicating pages, copying content from one page to another... simple tasks that cause the app to crash. It is impossible to work like this. 

[its_steph]

Yes! Duplicating pages does it for me too. It's crashing constantly - has been happenign for months and is basically unusable.

[its_steph]

Positive update - I uninstalled InDesign (and deleted preferences) and have reinstalled. So far it is working and not having issues duplicating pages. I haven't spent much time testing but will comment again if I have any issues.

[Ed.allanby]

Well said. It would be better for my business to have a version of Indesign that works perfectly as opposed to one with all the new features but is unrelaible.

*Here for the regular crashing
* Latest Indesign / Latest MacOS

[elmethra_clarisa]

Wondering: can one go back to a previous version and stay there until the user decides to upgrade? If not, Why?

[BobLevine]

Only the current and most recent are available to install. But if you have earlier versions already installed nobody is stopping you from using them.

[elmethra_clarisa]

Hi. Can I get some advice for this? I work on4 magazines a month by myself and can't afford crashes, corrupting files or time wasted on troubleshooting....

I export and then update text on Google drive using a plugin called Docsflow.

Usually it's when I'm updating, or tweaking the text that's linked, that I get crashes.

Sometimes the crashes are random. I usually have 3 magazines open simultaneously.



[Kind regards,]
[photo]

Elmethra de Bruyn

Designer

<Personal info removed by MOD>

[Abhishek Rao]

Hi @elmethra_clarisa,

Thanks for reaching out and sharing the details of your workflow. Since you're using DocsFlow, could you confirm which version of InDesign 2025 and macOS you're currently on? From what you've described, the crashes seem to happen while updating or tweaking linked text, so it would help to know if the issue also occurs when DocsFlow is disabled or when working with files not connected to Google Drive.

If possible, please try disabling the plugin temporarily and test if InDesign still crashes. Also, let me know if you've already submitted a crash report(if yes, share email address via DM on the community), so we can review the logs with the product team. Ref: https://adobe.ly/4mU5074
A short screen recording of the steps leading up to the crash would be very helpful as well.

Looking forward to your update.

Abhishek

[leo.r]

I export and then update text on Google drive

By @elmethra_clarisa

Do you have the Mirror Files option selected in Google Drive preferences? If not, make sure it's selected.

[jessie_9180]

Same problem here! I did the last update on InDesign 2025 thinking they would have solved the problem but it's still there. Crashing all the time, sometimes multiple times per day. That's frustrating because this bug is present since early november and haven't been resolved.

[Abhishek Rao]

Hi @jessie_9180,

By the last update, do you mean InDesign 20.1? Also, what operating system are you using i.e., Windows or macOS? If you haven't already, please submit the crash report and share your Adobe email address (with which you submitted the crash report to me over the DM on the community). Reference: https://adobe.ly/4ayAw5B. Is the crash specific to a particular file, or does it happen to all files, including newly created documents? Also, is the crash happening just after the launch of InDesign, while performing a particular task or while using a particular tool or effect? Are you using any third-party plug-ins? If yes, please disable it and then test the issue. You can also isolate this by running your system in Safe Mode. Reference:
Windows: https://adobe.ly/3PPx7Gc
macOS: https://adobe.ly/3Q9Wwe1

Let me know how it goes.

^
Abhishek

[jessie_9180]

Hi! I am part of a financial company and it's our company licence so I won't share my work email on this blog because I don't want to get spamed. We are using Windows 11 and the crash happens to all users on our licence, with different files. Not during using a particular tool or effect, it's random and will close several times during the day.  

[Benjamin3239156230u1]

Same here! Absolutely inacceptable!!

[Mike Witherell]

ICYMI

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