InDesign won't open on my computer

[ali_4619]

Hi I have installed InDesign on my computer. When I try to open it, it flashes on my screen as if it is trying to open but then closes. I've tried multiple times over many weeks, including restarting the computer, unplugging and replugging the computer etc. I've liaised with both Adobe and Windows support and they haven't been able to solve it so I thought I'd check in here where there is so much real life experience too.

I have a Lenovo Thinkpad laptop, running Windows 10. I have heaps of C drive space on this computer, it's relatively new and I've deleted all unnecessary content, apps and temporary files from the computer. Instead of using My documents on my computer, I use an external hard drive. I hope you can help!

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

Are you sure Windows 10? Not 11?

There are reports of serious problems with Win11 - and recent updates:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign-discussions/indesign-freezes-when-moving-a-table/m-p/1515050...

https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign-discussions/red-circle-with-line-through-it-when-trying-to-p...

But no reports with problems in Win10 - at least not yet...

If you are on Win 10 anyway - please check this thread:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign-discussions/reset-indesign-preferences-and-other-troubleshoo...

[ali_4619]

Thanks so much. I double-checked and it is Windows 11 Pro N.  I mixed it up with my other computer. That could be the problem. I will read your links with many thanks. Also, it only has 8GB ram which could be part of the problem.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

My laptop updated yesterday or day before - I'm using Win 10 - but I don't have any problems.

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

What version of InDesign are you using? Did you upgrade ID lately? If so, what was the prior version?

How much RAM do you have?

[ali_4619]

Hi, thanks Dave. I'm using InDesign 2025. When I first bought it late last year, around Oct, it was an earlier version but Adobe support upgraded it for me when I contacted them for help when it wouldn't load. I've just looked at my RAM and it is only 8GB. I see from a post here in 2018 you said 8 GB would work - is that still the case? 

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@ali_4619 

8GB is barely enough for Windows alone...

You NEED to install more - at least 16GB - 32GB if you can would be best.

I have the same effect when my laptop runs out of RAM - I have only 16GB - if I open InDesign and a bigger INDD document and then try to run Photoshop - it loads then closes without any warnings / messages - just quits.

[ali_4619]

Great, thanks so much for your help. I googled it and looks like I can buy a RAM module for a reasonable price. I'll take it in to my tech store as they have experts behind the counter who can

confirm if it's worth it. Thanks so much to you and Dave. 

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@ali_4619

You're welcome. 

What is the full model number of your laptop? 

[ali_4619]

Thinkpad T14s Gen 1

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

Thinkpad T14s Gen 1

By @ali_4619

That's not a full model / part number? 

Intel or AMD?

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@ali_4619

And it looks like you won't be able to upgrade memory - it's soldered - no empty slots available.

https://psref.lenovo.com/syspool/Sys/PDF/ThinkPad/ThinkPad_T14s_Gen_1_Intel/THINKPAD_T14S_GEN_1_INTE...

 

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

Same with AMD: 

https://psref.lenovo.com/syspool/Sys/PDF/ThinkPad/ThinkPad_T14s_Gen_1_AMD/ThinkPad_T14s_Gen_1_AMD_Sp...

[ali_4619]

Ah right, so not worth bothering to try to improve it then? Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-10210U CPU @ 1.60GHz 2.11 GHz

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

Ah right, so not worth bothering to try to improve it then? Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-10210U CPU @ 1.60GHz 2.11 GHz

By @ali_4619

Unfortunately, you can't improve it. 

But, you can open it and check - just to be sure. 

[ali_4619]

Great advice, as always. Many thanks. 

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

You're welcome.