Keep Getting an error code 205 when launching InDesign (2019 and 2020)

[amandae57858129]

When I try opening InDesign (2019 and 2010 on my MacBook Pro, macOS Mojave - version 10.14.6) I get the window below. Which states, "Sorry, InDesign has encountered an error and needs to close.

You will not be able to use InDesign at this time. Please contact Customer Support and use the reference code 205 for more information on how to resolve this issue." When I click on the blue Customer Support link it takes me to an 404 Error Page page. I've looked up want an 205 error code means and how to fix it and have gone through it all suggestions/fixes and none of what they say it is is the problem. All of the my other apps that I have updated to the most current version are working fine (Illustrator and Photoshop). My Creative Cloud App works perfectly fine as well. Help! Thanks!

[Jeff A Wright · Accepted solution]

Amandae57858129, sorry you are facing Error 205 while opening Creative Cloud applications.  Error 205 occurs when we are unable to save the required credentials locally to the computer.

Please open Keychain Access and click on the lock icon, to unlock Keychain access.  After it is unlocked please lock Keychain Access.  The act of unlocking and locking should resolve Error 205 and allow for the required credentials be saved.

If you continue to face Error 205, then I would recommend reviewing any installed security software that may be interfering with certificates being stored within Keychain.

[frederict44548086]

Yes indeed.

After modifying my adobe account password and updating it in keychain I could not open PS CC 2019 anymore, I got the same window / code 205.

After locking unlocking my keychain access it didn't work.

Then I have reset my default keychain and now I can open PS without any issue.

[Niyazi YILDIRIM]

This problem is experienced if your sessions are open on more than one device. user as if falling blacklist. The license can be used by changing it and assigning it to a different e-mail.

[jopress1966]

This works after trying all solutions ( reset my default keychain )

Thank You!

[Chloe23914374b2mk]

IOS version 11.6.5 will not allow you to lock and unlock in the keychain.

Any additional advice you can offer for this?

[ahmad_hassan]

The problem was solved by changing the user

[Paddy25071687fkiq]

As a note for windows users who don't know what 'keychain' is. Logging out of creative cloud and back in again has fixed the error for me. I've been looking for ages and this finally fixed it. I hope this helps others!

[Curtis25078647cqmf]

THANK YOU!! I'm a PC user, had no idea what "keychain" is while reading through this thread, then saw your comment. Did as you suggested and that totally fixed the issue! Thanks!!

[F.Pouquet]

Merci !!!! Comme Curtis, je suis un utilisateur sur Windows et la déco/reco du Creative Clouds à marché nickel. Encore merci pour le tuyau et je me serai bien passé des 20 minutes de stress à l'ouverture de ma session.

[jank66587579]

Hello, this helped me, thank you very much!

[AGDjada]

I have tried all the suggestions listed: 1) unlock and lock keychain; 2) logout and login of Creative Cloud; 3) updated my Mac to latest software. I continue to get the Error 205 at launch of InDesign. I have all the Creative Cloud design apps. Photoshop works fine. I can't login to InDesign! Please... post a 2022 option of how to work around this. Thanks!

[nnnnoaboahh]

Having the exact same problem.

Let me know if you've managed to solve this!

[Rishabh_Tiwari]

Hi @nnnnoaboahh ,

Sorry to hear about the trouble. Please try the steps shared below:

1. Sign out of InDesign and the Adobe Creative Cloud desktop app.
2. Close CoreSync and all Adobe-related services from the Activity Monitor/Task Manager.
3. Reboot the computer.
4. Sign back in on the Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop app and launch InDesign from there.

Let us know if this solves the issue or if you need any further assistance.

Regards

Rishabh

[Christina263818770n40]

I also tried nearly everything, nothing worked! i still get the same error over and over again...i dont know how to fix this anymore! reinstalled all adobe apps, signed out and back in, rebooted the imac, deactivated my firewall, emptied my caches, installed an older version of the LrC app, nothing works! Any suggestions?

[E26573685p8mj]

Same for me, tried everything. It finally worked after I uninstalled the Creative Cloud app by running the uninstall. It gave me the option to 'repair' before deciding to fully 'uninstall'. good luck !

[AGDjada · Accepted solution]

I ended up calling tech support on this because I tried everything that has been on this thread. The ONLY thing that helped me was to uninstall InDesign, reboot, and then reinstall InDesign from the Creative Cloud app. I'm Mac running the latest system software and Adobe software. I do NOT recommend resetting the keychain unless you have Adobe Tech Support sharing your computer screen to help you do it. This is a major reset and will remove all your passwords from everything on your computer. Good luck! - Janet

[AGDjada]

I have an update as of 10/3/22: I once again got the dreaded error code 205 when working on a large doc file in InDesign. Uninstalling and reinstalling ID as well as logging out of Creative Cloud and logging back in with reboots in between did not resolve this issue. I ended up calling tech support who shared my computer screen to fix the situation. What the tech person did was delete all the Adobe and Creative Cloud certificates in Keychain Access. When you open the Keychain Access app (Mac Intel computer), unlock access, use the search bar to find all the certificates for Adobe and Creative Cloud, then delete them. InDesign opened after this even without a reboot. I'm not sure why this is happening with InDesign. I use PSD and AI often with large files and never have this issue. Very frustrating! I'm using the latest CC software on a Mac Intel machine. Best of luck! Janet

[rafaelchaer]

OMG!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! This is the only way for resolve this problem! I was problem with my PS, for a weeks, and now for this tutorial everything is working on!! THANKS!! 

[Ren27056037g61l]

Hi, I'm trying to do this although nothing is happening when I try and delete the Adobe Certificates in Keychain Access. Any further suggestions? 

[Tim26401725phhg]

Vanmiddag wéér code 205 bij het opstarten van InDesign en de moed zonk in mijn schoenen. 2 maanden geleden úren mee bezig geweest en uiteindelijk heeft de helpdesk van Adobe het voor me opgelost. Ik wist nog wat hij op het laatst deed en ik heb dat nu ook toegepast, nog geen 2 minuten werk. Ga naar Sleutelhangertoegang en gooi de gele Adobe App bestandjes weg. That's it!  Bij mij werkt het in ieder geval weer zonder problemen. Succes!

[Apple24611397td4b]

Thank you so much Tim! I was unable to use Adobe XD for a month because of Code 205.

This worked for me:

1. Uninstall Adobe XD from Creative Cloud

2. Sign out of Creative Cloud and Restart my Mac.

3. Sign in at CC and install Adobe XD

4. Delete the Adobe app info in Keychain Access.

Out of all the Youtube tutorials and forums I searched answers for, this one made the error 205 not appear anymore.

[Tim26401725phhg]

So nice to hear. Happy to be helpfull.

[Mark57evo]

Thanks so much, Tim for sharing this. It instantly fixed my Indesign 205 error.

[Tim26401725phhg]

I know the feeling! Great to see you somehow translated my message.