InDesign keeps flickering to a black preview

[nicholass20437531]

Hello everyone, Im running a Mac Studio M2 Ultra with an XDR display. When I go through my INDD file clicking on links and such the display tries to preview but it gives me  black (no preview). Then if I move my mouse the black preview is almost attached to it and I can move it around just by moving my mouse. Seems like a video card issue to me. I tried recording it using "Screen Recording" (Command/Shift/5) but of course it works perfect when I have it recording. As soon as I turn off the Screen Recording it goes right back to flaching big blocks of black. I recorded it with my phone. Im going to post those. Any help would be greatly appreciated

[nicholass20437531]

Here is another vid

[nicholass20437531]

This has been happening for about 4 months now. I have jusy drealt with it because im not using INDD all the time.

 I have tried:

Restarting machine

Uninstalling/Reinstalling INDD

Adjusting Display Performance

Same results.

Very strange that when I try to do a screen record with Quicktime it works flawlesly. Maybe thats the workaround? LOL

[leo.r]

Your versions of InDesign and macOS? If you're on Ventura or Sonoma make sure they're up-to-date.

[nicholass20437531]

Sonoma 14.5

INDD 19.4

[BobLevine · Accepted solution]

Disable GPU performance in your InDesign preferences. 

[nicholass20437531]

Thank you Bob I will give that a try. Curious why though. Is it possibly a problem with my Mac Studio? Seems strange that we need to disable functions on brand new machines, monitors, software, ect......Guess its not a perfect world. Ill let you know how it works.

[Anshul_Saini]

Hello @nicholass20437531,

I'm sorry to hear about the issues you're experiencing with InDesign. In addition to Bob's suggestion, let's try a few additional steps to see if they help resolve the flickering issue.

• Steps to Reset the UXP Folder:
  Rename the UXP folder to UXP.old from the following locations:
  MAC: /Library/Application Support/Adobe
  MAC: ~/Library/Application Support/Adobe
  
  
• Adjust XDR Display Resolution:
  Adjust the resolution to a lower setting to test if this change impacts the flickering issue in InDesign.

Please let us know if these steps help or if the issue persists. We're here to assist further if needed.

Best regards,

Anshul Saini

[nicholass20437531]

Thank you very much to the both of you!! Bob is the clear winner here for the time being. As Im working in INDD I can turn the GPU on and off and see the screen clear up without the GPU on. Thats not to downplay what Anshul contributed. I maybe saw a little better performance but not as dramatic as with the GPU off. Thank you again very much for assisting me, although looking into a strobe light while working was fun and challenging, I dont miss it at all.

I will update post if I notice anything different over the next few days.

[fila.]

hi, i have had similar gpu preview issues. for me helped to convert my monitor's calibrated icc profile from version 4.x to 2.x.

[Gopa C]

I've been having this isuue pretty constantly on my new Mac Studio (August 2024), running MAc OS Sonoma 14.6 and Indesign 19.5: big black boxes that pop up and cover my work. I notice if I use the application frame, the issue goes away, but I don't actually like the application frame at all and don't like being forced to use it. It also goes away if I turn off  GPU, but I like GPU, so don't like having to turn it off.

I did as you suggested and renamed the UXP folders. And, at least for now, everything seems to be working ok. Fingers crossed that it stays that way!

[BobLevine]

Google it. That feature has been problematic on Macs for years.