InDesign panel won't open.

[ob_default45816240]

Ever since the update to 2026, my InDesign panels won't open on occassion. I have to quit InDesign and reopen to get the the panels to open. Anyone else experiencing this? (Windows 11 Pro)

[Barb Binder]

Sometimes your preferences will corrupt when migrating to a new version. Try rebuilding them: https://www.rockymountaintraining.com/adobe-indesign-rebuilding-preferences-cache/

~Barb

[Jeremy bowmangraphics]

I've had this problem too. I've tried resetting preferences several times, but the problem keeps recurring. The next thing I'm going to try is re-installing InDesign. If my panels keep opening as they should after a few days, I'll add another message here.

[Eugene Tyson]

Reinstalling rarely fixes everything - you can do a complete reinstall using the
Creative Cloud Cleaner Tool https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/kb/cc-cleaner-tool-installation-problems.html

[Jeremy bowmangraphics]

I'll try that if I keep running into problems, thanks!

[Bill Silbert]

Problems with panels can usually be fixed by deleting InDesign cache files. This is not the same as deleting preferences and is very useful for fixing interface issues.

For Macintosh Users: The User Library folder in which InDesign’s cache files are stored is hidden by default on most Macintoshes. To access it make sure that InDesign is closed and click on the desktop to launch a Finder Window (Command-N). With this window in column view follow the path User>Home folder (it’s the folder with an icon that looks like a house—it may have the user’s name rather than “Home”) and click on the Home folder. With the Option Key pressed choose Library from the Finder Go Menu. “Library” will now appear within the Home folder. Within the Library folder find the “Caches” folder. Within the Caches folder find and delete the entire folder “Adobe InDesign”. I find that deleting the InDesign cache folder completely leads to a lasting change.  

For Windows Users: On Windows 7 and above the caches files are hidden. To find them go to the Control Panel and open Folder Options and then click the View tab. Then select “Show hidden files and folders” or “Show hidden files, folders or drive options” in Advanced Settings. Then delete (or rename) the folder at the end of this path: C:\Users\[User Name]\AppData\Local\Adobe\InDesign\Version [#]\<Language>\Cache.