InDesign Freeze when Changing things in Paragraph Style

[crystal_7868]

For the past week or so, InDesign has been freezing for 1-2 minutes when I make a change to a paragraph style (try to change the font or color or something). It will eventually get going (i.e., not crashing ID), but it's making my workflow VERY slow. 

InDesign version 20.2

Windows 11, version 24H2

I saw some earlier posts about a similar issue. 

[InglesaCat]

I've been having the same problem for months, and it's getting ridiculous. I've deleted my preferences. I've gone through the fonts...I don't have time for this. I've had to change my workflow because I can't change my paragraph styles.
It started for me when Adobe added the Google fonts (Open Sans, specifically). I use that font for the newspaper and I've removed the installed version to use theirs, and removed it and readded it and it just starts happening again.
I also have trouble logging it to Adobe fonts and have to try two or three times. I think it's got something to do with verification of the product and I live in a rural area where the Internet isn't the best.

[Abhishek Rao]

Hi @InglesaCat,

I'm really sorry to hear how disruptive this has been to your workflow. Thanks for sharing the details about the fonts and your setup. Could you please confirm the version of InDesign you're currently using and the version of your OS?

It would also be helpful if you could test whether the issue still occurs when launching InDesign in safe mode to rule out third-party interference (Windows: https://adobe.ly/4n8YvxH | macOS: https://adobe.ly/3K8Fa1b). If possible, please also try creating a new user profile on your system to check if the problem persists there (Windows: https://adobe.ly/4gt1j6q | macOS: https://adobe.ly/46C0Nia).

Can you also confirm if this slowdown happens with all files or just with a specific one? If it's only with a particular file, please share it with me for testing. If the file is confidential, you can share it privately via DM on the community or use a cloud service like Google Drive or Dropbox to create a downloadable link.

Looking forward to your update.

Abhishek

[InglesaCat]

1. InDesign v 20.5
2. Windows 11 on PC 10.0.26100
3. It occurs in Safe Mode.
4. It occurs 100% across all InDesign files. It occurs with new files that have no content.
5. I'm working a deadline. I'll try to pay to get someone here to change my user profile in the future. I'm just not up to learning to do this and worrying about making it worse. I spent hours and hours on this already. My frustration has reached max capacity I'm afraid. LOL
6. Right now I am literally laying out a newspaper in single columns because I can't change the paragraph style to 4 col.
7. This whole thing started when Open Sans (which I used for 80% of our projects) became an Adobe font. It was just constant pink and constant changing it back to the Adobe version. Over and over and over and over and over. 
8. I have experienced the same thing with other Google fonts that were added to the Adobe fonts lineup. I just stopped using them all together. But, I have many clients who specifically want Open Source fonts.

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

I've seen this problem from other posts. I think the common thread is Google fonts. Personally, I would stay away from them and odd third-party fonts. 

[InglesaCat]

1. My clients want Open Source fonts. They want to be able to use the fonts.
2. Open Sans is a well-respected and very popular font (which is why Adobe adopted it, right?)
3. I used third-party fonts for 30+ years with no issue at all.
4. Adobe has pulled fonts out of their lineup and I've been stuck redoing work, so depending on them isn't practical.
5. They also stopped recognizing PostScript fonts after years of pushing them on us.
6. I do not want Adobe-only fonts. In fact, that could well be the final straw for me after 30+ years. I really want to choose the fonts I want. I pay for the software and expect it to be able to handle any good font. Much less expensive and even open-source software seems to manage the task.

[Kato1111]

I had this issue back in March 2025. It resolved itself, and now after the latest update it's back. I will never update the programme again. If it ain't broken, don't fix it. 

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

If you are in a production environment, you shouldn't update completely for 6-12 months after a new release. The Creative Cloud app has options _not_ to update automatically and/or _not_ to remove old versions. If you turn disable the remove old versions, you can "play" with the new features will working in the older version. The only issue is you can't just double-click on a file to open it as it may open the wrong version. You have to open the program and then use the Open menu.

[Kato1111]

I made a mistake... Can I reinstall the old version? 

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

Yes, you can install one version back with the CC app.

[Kato1111]

Thank you.