Indesign Save & Save as windows do not work

[cenek_4046]

Hi, I'm on the latest Indesign version (21.0) and my Save and Save as dialog windows are blank. It started last week, before that I did not have this problem. I am using a work-around as Save a copy window works. 

I already tried setting preferences to the old dialog window, deleting caches and force restarting Indesign. So far to no avail. Adding a screenshot of the Save dialog window. 

[leo.r]

we have access to the internet via a proxy configuration, but the software indesign is trying to connect directly to adobe

By @Marco5E36

You stated: "When i try to do the same steps from outside of our network i have no problems". Does it mean that the problem doesn't happen on a different machine? Or that it doesn't happen on the same machine when you disconnect it from your network?

[Marco5E36]

it is the same machine and is working when i'm not connected to my business network. indesign can then communicate free via my home dns with adobe servers. 

i've analysed the communication with wireshark and the problem is that indesign is ignoring the proxy config and is trying to talk directly to adobe, what is not working

[siddharth_7652]

Steps to resolve the issue -

• Save as Copy (save the data)
• Close all Adobe and Creative Cloud Processes via Task Manager
• Delete these folders
• C:\Users\<YourUsername>\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\UXP
• C:\Users\<YourUsername>\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\CEP
  
  
  

[Markus_S-KDB]

Hello!

We had the same problem and found the cause and a workaround. The tips and advice we found on the internet up to that point did not help, and we started looking ourselves, as even Adobe support only offered us insufficient standard solutions.
The problem occurs due to a preliminary dialog that appears when you click on "Save As." This dialog window (see attached) is in some cases not displayed correctly, and only an empty window appears. Since you cannot bypass this window, you do not reach the Windows dialog to save the file. So the actual "Save As" dialog is not displayed; instead, the preliminary dialog "You have many more options if you save the document as a cloud document" appears.
Workaround:
We installed version 20.5.1 of InDesign and opened a blank document. We then saved it via "Save As." The dialog box appeared at that point. Here, we checked "Do not show again," selected the desired save location, and saved the document. Then we went to the data folder of version 20.5.1 at C:\Users\Username\AppData\Roaming\AdobeI\nDesign\Version 20.0de_DE and copied the file "InDesign Defaults." We then pasted this file into the data folder of version 21.01 (C:\Users\Username\AppData\Roaming\AdobeI\nDesign\Version 21.0de_DE) and replaced the existing file there.
Warning: Your default settings will naturally be lost as a result.
After that, InDesign in version 21.01 noticed that the faulty dialog window no longer needed to be displayed and directly showed the Windows Save dialog. Perhaps this solution will also help you. Unfortunately, we did not find the exact location in the InDesign Defaults file where it can be manually edited, but replacing the file was not a problem for us. The error will likely occur whenever InDesign is installed on a new computer or reinstalled from scratch. In these cases, the dialog has not previously been disabled via "Do not show again," and the faulty dialog appears. Hopefully, Adobe will fix this error soon. The suggested remedies from Adobe (uninstalling, deleting preferences, and so on) only cost a lot of time and were not helpful. We had hoped for better support.

Best regards, Markus

[Alexander38546885amg2]

After disconnecting from the company network (see Marco5E36's repsonses), we were able get the correct display of the "Adobe save in cloud dialog", where there's the option to save locally as well. After choosing this option and arriving at the usual Windows "Save As" dialog, it seems to have been set as the new default saving option. We were not able to reproduce the black window as the default option, even after restarts etc. 

My assumption is, that there's a key somewhere in 

"C:\Users\xxx\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\InDesign\Version 21.0\de_DE\UXP\PluginsStorage\Internal" or
"C:\Users\xxxr\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\InDesign\Version 21.0\de_DE\DVADialogPrefs\DVADialogPrefs.xml"

that has set the Windows Save As dialog as the new default after selecting the "Save locally" button once. 

[Markus_S-KDB]

Hello,
the configuration is stored in the file "InDesign Defaults" (C:\Users\Username\AppData\Roaming\AdobeI\nDesign\Version 21.0de_DE).
However, I don't know exactly where the corresponding entry is within the file.
Best regards,
Markus

[fierce_musician0602]

Hi everyone,
since updating to an InDesign 2026 version (currently 21.0.1), I can no longer save any files. Whenever I click “Save” or “Save As,” only a completely black window appears, and I’m unable to proceed.

To troubleshoot, I installed an older InDesign 2025 version (20.5) in parallel, and everything still works normally there.

I have already tried the following without success:

• Uninstalling and reinstalling InDesign

• Using the Creative Cloud Cleaner

• Deleting the AppData folders

Unfortunately, the issue persists in version 2026.

Has anyone experienced this or found a solution?
Thanks in advance!

[Abhishek Rao]

Hi @fierce_musician0602,

I appreciate you providing the information. To investigate this further, could you please verify the specific version of Windows OS you are using? Additionally, try renaming the CEP folder to CEP.old located at C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe and check if the Save dialog appears as expected afterward. If it remains unchanged, please rename the UXP folder to UXP.old from C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe and C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe.

If the problem persists, let me know if you are connected to a VPN or a company domain, and whether the issue occurs only in that environment. You might also consider changing the connection type once and report any changes.

I look forward to your response.

Abhishek

[fierce_musician0602]

Hi @Abhishek Rao,

unfortunately the renaming of the mentioned folders didn't work. The affected notebook is part of a domain and the problem occurs in company network and via VPN. 

I am using Windows 11 25H2 but until yesterday the notebook was on 24H2 with the same problem.

Thank you and kind regards

[Abhishek Rao]

Hello @fierce_musician0602,

I appreciate you reviewing those steps and providing the update. Could you verify if the Save window operates properly when you are not connected to the domain, such as when working from home without a VPN? If it does, I have already sent you an action plan via DM, and I'm prepared to assist further based on your reply.

I look forward to your update.
Abhishek

[Peter Spier]

have a look at this simialr thread from a couple of days ago: https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign-discussions/indesign-save-amp-save-as-windows-do-not-work/td...

[fierce_musician0602 · Accepted solution]

Thanks a lot! Starting the Computer in safe mode --> open Indesign --> Reboot in normal mode --> open Indesign again worked perfectly. I have no clue why but it worked 😄 

[Friedbert24677313mnlb]

Same here, the save as Window  is shown as the above screenshot of fierce shows
Win10 ESU
Photoshop Versions 27 to 24 has this bug or error.
start new doesn't solve the problem
windows restart doesn't solve the problem
change default save as folder in preferences doesn't solve the problem
Photoshop 23 does the job and can save as ....

[Pierre FD.]

I got exactly the same problem but with a 2025 version.

I applied some of the suggested options to fix this.... nothing to do.

Could be that it is because I have no GPU and only 1024Mb available on my laptop?

[Anubhav M]

Hello @defaultxngk4rfyphfl,

I'm sorry to hear you're having similar trouble with InDesign. Would you mind trying the following steps and checking if they help:

- Close all Adobe applications.

- Rename the UXP folder to UXP.old from the following location:

(Windows) Navigate to C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\UXP

(macOS) Navigate to Macintosh HD/Library/Application Support/Adobe/UXP

- Relaunch InDesign

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Anubhav

[Pierre FD.]

Since working in a company. I am not the system administrator.

This doesn't let me rename files.

To experiment that way, I should create Tickets, involving IT and HelpDesks. Quite complicated and long.

For now I settle by using  "Save a Copy" and choosing  the "Save as type " "Indesign CS4 or later" to keep legacy with former versions".

[buc_5192]

InDesign 2026 n'enregistre pas les fichiers.
Appparition d'une fenêtre contextuelle noire.

[Anubhav M]

Hello @buc_5192,

I'm sorry to hear about your experience. Would you mind trying the following steps and checking if they help:
- Close all Adobe applications.
- Rename the UXP folder to UXP.old from the following location:
(Windows) Navigate to C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\UXP
(macOS) Navigate to Macintosh HD/Library/Application Support/Adobe/UXP
 
- Relaunch InDesign
 
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Anubhav

[thierryp41450248]

Bonjour,

j'ai le même problème et en installant la version 21.0.1 ça à fonctionné 5 minutes et quand j'ai redémarré mon ordinateur cela n'a plus fonctionné.

Je suis sous windows 11 pro. Dans ces forum une solution était aussi de renommer en .old les dossiers CEP dans program files et dans program files x86 mais cela n'a pas fonctionné et maintenant un nouveau dossier CEP s'est créé.

Dois-je remettre les dossier sans .old ?

Merci pour votre aide.

[buc_5192]

je n'ai pas réussi à résoudre le problème (entreprise avec service informatique)
Visiblement, il s'agit d'un bug de logiciel, j'attends la version corrective.

[HARSHIKA_VERMA]

Hi All,

We are sorry to hear you're unable to save files in InDesign. Would you mind telling us if this happens with all files or with a specific file? Is this issue occurring with new files or old files?

Please also share the details of your operating system. Are you connected to an external monitor?

We will try our best to help.

Thanks,

Harshika

[buc_5192]

Bonjour,

Ce problème se produit avec tous les fichiers. Avec les anciens ou les nouveaux fichiers.
Système d'exploitation : windows 11 Professionnel.
Ecran relié au disque dur du PC.

[Abhishek Rao · Accepted solution]

Hi @buc_5192,

Thanks for the update. I completely understand how frustrating it is when you are unable to save your work. There is a similar thread where users have tried a few solutions that worked for them. Could you please check the suggestions shared here and see if it helps: https://adobe.ly/48Cr2qF

If the issue still continues after that, please also try disconnecting any active VPN and let me know whether there is any change. I will take it forward with the team based on your update.

Looking forward to hearing back from you.

Abhishek

[Clara_Perinaud2174]

Bonjour, je suis actuellement sur un projet avec la dernière version d'Indesign

Mais lorsque je souhaite enregistrer rien ne se passe, même lorsque je demande à exporter ou enregistrer une copie, une fenêtre noire apparait. Je ne peux pas quitter le logiciel car tout va s'annuler

Comment faire ? 

Merci d'avance

[Abhishek Rao]

Greetings @Clara_Perinaud2174,

I appreciate you sharing the screenshot, and I apologize for the trouble you're experiencing. Could you verify if you are using InDesign 21.0.1, which is the most recent version, and also let me know the macOS version you are on?

Meanwhile, please attempt to rename the CEP folder to CEP.old from the following directory on your Mac: /Library/Application Support/Adobe. If the problem persists, rename the UXP folder to UXP.old from these two locations: /Library/Application Support/Adobe and ~/Library/Application Support/Adobe. After doing this, restart InDesign and try saving again.

If that does not resolve the issue, please consider manually resetting InDesign preferences by following the instructions in this guide: https://adobe.ly/3LNQsbW

If the dialog remains black after trying the previous steps, you might want to explore these related threads where other users have found solutions to the same problem. The suggestions provided there may be useful, so please check them out and let me know what you discover:

https://adobe.ly/49kb59x
https://adobe.ly/4nVRYWR
https://adobe.ly/47ZBiHX

I look forward to your response so I can investigate this further.

Abhishek