Slow performance in InDesign v16.3.2 on Mac OS Big Sur v11.5.1 - Spinning Beach Ball

Report · Jul 30, 2021

To my great dissapointment and frustration InDesign has a very slow performance.

Every time I try to do any action/move/ absolutely anything the "beach ball" appears and stalls me for 5-10 seconds.
So far I have tried, unistalling-installing the program, resetting prefereces changing color profiles and monitor settings and absolutely NOTHING works.

Please Adobe... find a solution!!!

Im running InDesign 2021 (16.3.2) on Mac OS Big Sur (11.5.1) annoying slow performance

{Renamed by MOD}

Report · Jul 30, 2021

It would help if you'd let us know what kind of a system you're using and what its specifications are, as well as what kind of documents you're working on when these delays are occurring.

There could be any of a number of causes for your issues. Knowing what you're doing, and what kind of system you're doing it with, will help us determine how we may be able to help you.

Randy

Report · Jul 30, 2021

I'm experiencing just the opposite on my new iMac M1. InDesign launches in three seconds. Amazing. I'm curious to follow this thread, nonetheless, as ID on my late 2017 iMac (Intel) is a bit of a dog these days.

Report · Jul 30, 2021

I agree with Randy. We need more information about your system.

I'm using the same version of Big Sur as you and the same version of InDesign. I have a 2016 MacBook Pro (specs attached). InDesign launches in 6 seconds and never get "beach balls".

Report · Aug 01, 2021

These are my systems requirments...

Report · Aug 02, 2021

That helps a lot. Thanks for getting back with us. What kind of work are you doing with InDesign?

We're happy to help as we can.

Randy

Report · Aug 03, 2021

Thanks for quick response... Its Brochures im designing. From single to multiple pages. All saved in system HDD. No external links.

Report · Aug 02, 2021

Have you tried this troubleshooting information?

https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign/reset-indesign-preferences-and-other-troubleshooting/m-p/119...

Mike Witherell

Report · Aug 03, 2021

Hi Mike,

Thank you for your response. I have already tried most of the things in list with no results unfortunately

😞

Report · Aug 14, 2021

Mike, this is great! Very helpful.

Report · Aug 14, 2021

Jeff, that list is a compilation from all of you folks long-time on the forum. Thank you!

Mike Witherell

Report · Sep 18, 2024

Mike, are you a real person? So many "community expert" profiles like yours that simply reference Adobe Inc's useless troubleshooting. You appear to be a construct.

Report · Sep 18, 2024

I can assure you that Mike is a real person, as are the rest of us with the Community Expert notation.

We're volunteers corraled by Adobe to provide support where the company doesn't offer direct support itself.

Report · Aug 02, 2021

Hi there,

Sorry about the trouble you are facing. I understand your frustration. Could you please share a few more details:

Does InDesign slow down while working on a specific document? If yes, could you please share that document with us? You can upload it to the Creative Cloud (https://helpx.adobe.com/in/creative-cloud/help/share.html) and share the download link.
Where are you saving the files (Network Drive/ System HDD/ Shared Folder on System / External HDD)?
When did this start happening? Are there any recent changes made to your system? For example, any antivirus, system updates, or web extensions installed recently.
Are you using TimeMachine? If yes, please try disabling it as multiple users have reported that TimeMachine has slowed down some apps while they were working.
Does turning off Automatic Graphics Switching from Macbook settings (Both Battery and Power adapter) helps to resolve the issue? (https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202043)

We are here to help, just need more info.

Thanks & Regards,

Anshul Saini

Report · Aug 03, 2021

Thank you so much for your response.. will try to answer in between your questions..

Does InDesign slow down while working on a specific document? If yes, could you please share that document with us? You can upload it to the Creative Cloud (https://helpx.adobe.com/in/creative-cloud/help/share.html) and share the download link.
InDesign slows down in any document. Old or new, small in file size or big, single page or multipage. Unfortunately i cannot upload the file due to GDPR restrictions.
Where are you saving the files (Network Drive/ System HDD/ Shared Folder on System / External HDD)?
Generally all files are saved in system HDD. There are no links in network drives. Brochures include texts with either Adobe or Google fonts.
When did this start happening? Are there any recent changes made to your system? For example, any antivirus, system updates, or web extensions installed recently.
It started about a month ago but back then i didnt pay much attention to it. Now that iam in high need to finish the project im with tied hands
Are you using TimeMachine? If yes, please try disabling it as multiple users have reported that TimeMachine has slowed down some apps while they were working.
I have Time Machine on Synology Nas Server Drive, installed on June the 4th 2021. Will disable it and see how it goes.
Does turning off Automatic Graphics Switching from Macbook settings (Both Battery and Power adapter) helps to resolve the issue? (https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202043)
Im actually running an iMac with the system specs i attach bellow.

Once again thank you for your response. Will give you feedback on disabling Time Machine later on.

Report · Aug 05, 2021

Same problem here on my iMac. So it‘s not an macBook issue.
it appears if I try to place eg. pictures, try to move placed graphics or logos, select new Fonts etc … moving or scaling a logo created with the latest AI, chrash sometimes AID as well.
Placed Logos and Images are from internal or external USB-C drive (LaCie BigDock 8TB). Makes no difference
Switch off Timemachine??? Are you sure, man? So switch off imac would solve this problem too (sry for the joke! but this not really an option cause it‘s saving my work)
No, it is not only if I work on a specific document. It's always. Even if I start the program it‘s slower than in the former versions. It‘s not just "a certain feeling" …

I cleard all prefs and caches … I installed it completly new. Same story.

Report · Aug 12, 2021

Hi all,

Thank you for sharing the details.
Just following up, does turning off TimeMachine improves the performance of InDesign for you all? I would request you all to please try this out once if you haven't yet. If this doesn't improve the performance, you may try the suggestions shared on this page (https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign/resolve-slow-performance-and-unexpected-behavior-of-indesign...) step by step and share your observations with us.

Regards,

Anshul Saini

Report · Aug 10, 2021

I have the same problem!

Report · Aug 14, 2021

I have the exact same problem!!! I tried a lot of things and I still can't work without frustration with that spinning rainbow ball between every tiny action!

Report · Aug 14, 2021

Not sure if this was mentioned or not.

Turn off Preflight in the Preflight panel. Preflight is constantly checking your document, which sometimes can bring everything to a halt. It can be maddening!

Report · Aug 21, 2021

Hi all,

I would like to know if the steps suggested above by @Jeff Witchel, ACI worked for you all? If not, please try the following and share your observation with us:

Turn off wifi
Turn off change tracking (https://helpx.adobe.com/ca/indesign/using/tracking-reviewing-changes.html) if you are using it.
Uninstall any third-party plugin or extension or font manager tool if you are using it.

Regards,

Anshul Saini

Report · Aug 22, 2021

Hi to all.

Sorry for my late response.

Unfortunately none of the above has worked. Therefore we run several tests with my IT Manager and got InDesign running normally by excuding my computer from firewall restrictions. So my question to Adobe is this: Are there any certain website addresses that Adobe In Design uses so we can excluded those from firewalling? If yes can you provide me them to me?

Thank you in advance

Report · Aug 24, 2021

UPDATE....

My computer was set to have a certain IP address and tha IP adress was set to be excluded from firewall settings.
It worked well for a week.. and then InDesign started stalling me again. Why on earth is this happening?
Why software is running normally when my iMac is off the internet (ethernet or WiFi)?
This is tottaly unbearable.

Report · Aug 24, 2021

All of this failed to fix the problem for me also.

Report · Aug 27, 2021

Thank you for sharing the details, @George Del. As asked, here are some network endpoints (https://helpx.adobe.com/enterprise/kb/network-endpoints.html) which Adobe product used. You can share it with your IT team, try excluding all the Adobe processes and services from your firewall and let us know how it goes.

I will be looking forward to you response.

Reagrds,
Anshul Saini