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Cal Mac
Participant
February 28, 2023
Question

InDesign crashing when saving to Google Drive

  • February 28, 2023
  • 3 replies
  • 1366 views

For the last year or so my InDesign crashes when I 'save as' to Google Drive. It happens 9 out of 10 times and is very frustrating.

 

Some notes:

  • When it crashes, the file will open up when InDesign restarts with the original file name. The new file name I tried to save it as will be in the folder where I tried to save it. If I 'save as' again and select that file, it is able to replace the file without crashing.
  • It does not crash when I 'save copy'. So my workaround is to 'save copy' then 'save as' and replace the file. It's a tedious workflow.
  • Sometimes when I 'save as' it doesn't crash, but I'm unable to determine what factors influence this.

 

Any help with this would be massively appreciated!

Thanks,
Calum

3 replies

D
defaultp1regf0yxk9h
Participant
May 9, 2025

my indesign also crases when working off drive. no other adobe app crashes. SO FRUSTRATING

Robert at ID-Tasker
Robert at ID-Tasker
Legend
May 9, 2025

@Cal Mac, @defaultp1regf0yxk9h

 

InDesign is extremely sensitive to the so called network lag.

 

Maybe Google Drive app is trying to synchronise local data with cloud at the same time as InDesign is starting creating and saving document - and Google Drive app slows down the saving process - kind of "drops the connection"?

 

    BobLevine
    Community Expert
    BobLevineCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    February 28, 2023

    Have you disabled all smart sync features? If not, that's the first thing I'd try.

      E
      Community Expert
      Eugene TysonCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      February 28, 2023

      Sounds like a google drive issue

      https://support.google.com/drive/thread/127554579/drive-for-desktop-crash?hl=en

       

       

        C
        Cal MacAuthor
        Participant
        February 28, 2023
        Not having any issues with Google Drive itself. The desktop app is fine. I
        can access all the files and everything is syncing up quickly.

        No other programs are having an issue saving to the drive either –
        including other Adobe CC apps.

        It's just when I 'save as' from InDesign. As a graphic designer that uses
        the app 8 hours a day it's getting very frustrating....
          E
          Community Expert
          Eugene TysonCommunity Expert
          Community Expert
          February 28, 2023

          InDesign will want to save a temp file called .idlk to the folder which is hidden. And this is usually the culprit compared to other apps that don't have this function, as far as I know. 

          The .idlk file is used to help with recovery of crashed documents. 

           

          If you are having issues saving to the Drive then perhaps try adjusting your sync options or turning off the sync function to see if it improves. 

          If so - it's an issue with how Drive is syncing. 

           

          I don't use Google drive but it comes up on the forums a bit.

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