Unable to launch all Creative Cloud apps like Photoshop, Illustrator & InDesign

[Jan0D4E]

Hi, same problem here all day. All other apps work except PS, AI, ID. 

<Title renamed by moderator>

[Brandon32002375r2v2]

MacOS 13.1 & InDesign 18.5

[leo.r]

If you're running InDesign 18.5, then it appears that many users experience similar issues.

First, update to macOS 13.5 (unless you already did). It solved the issue for some users.

If it doesn't help, then users recommend to install an earlier version - preferably 18.3. You can do it from the Creative Cloud app:

[Brandon32002375r2v2]

Yep! It worked with the new update! Thanks so much! 

[Rishabh_Tiwari]

Hi @Brandon32002375r2v2 ,

Glad to hear that it's working now. If you experience this issue again, please share the system logs for investigation. 

Thanks

Rishabh

[Lucy321550952obd]

I'm using version InDesign 18.5 on a Macbook Air with an M1 chip, running Mac Ventura 13.2.1

When I try to open InDesign- either via Creative Cloud, Applications or the dock - I have to press and hold Shift, Alt, Ctrl and Apple/Cmd and then say 'Yes' to the 'Delete preferences' box which then opens. 

I have to do this every single time I try and open it. If I don't, the intro screen flashes up briefly then disappears.

I've tried restarting, clearing caches, uninstalling InDesign and all the associated files and then reinstalling and I'm out of ideas.

The only time it opens properly is the first time I open it after I've uninstalled and reinstalled, which makes me think that something, somewhere is creating something which then messes up the next opening.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

[leo.r]

First, update to macOS 13.5.1. It solved the issue for many users.

If it doesn't help, then users recommend to install an earlier version - preferably 18.3. You can do it from the Creative Cloud app:

[Peter Spier]

This is happening to dozens of users and there are multiple threads. Thay all boil down to you can try using the cleaner tool (Use the Creative Cloud Cleaner tool to solve installation problems ) and reinstall without migrating preferences -- 50-50 chance it will work, roll back to 18.4 or 18.3, or upgrade the OS, which seems to work for most users.

[Rishabh_Tiwari]

Hi @Lucy321550952obd,

Sorry to hear about the trouble. As suggested by others, we have received similar reports from other users, and the issue was resolved after updating the macOS to the latest version. You can find more details here. Please try that, and in case it still happens, please share system logs for investigation. We'll try our best to assist you. 

Thanks

Rishabh

[Julia325868792u7a]

Hey,
i have the same problem with InDesign. It crashes at launch and I have to deinstall and install it again. Then it works for a while until I have the same problem again. Tried all the recommended solutions I could find but nothing worked 😞

Cheers

[BobLevine]

Did you upgrade your operating system?

[Zen Creative Agency]

Yep, same problem here... along with all the other issues/bugs/glitches/gremlins that haven't been fixed for – in some cases – years.

It's like I unknowlingly installed an Adobe poltergeist on my Mac. Custom workspaces mysteriously disappearing. Strange, brightly-coloured polygons and glitchy shapes suddenly splayed across my pages, only to randomly disappear and then reappear again when zooming in or out. InDesign toying with my mind by telling me my 'file may be damaged' after it has spontaneously crashed – only to automatically open a completely healthy file seconds later. The 'paranormal activities' go on and on.

Hey Adobe... how about spending some time fixing the myriad of broken stuff in your software before adding all of these wonderful 'new features', which inevitably just become more buggy problems your customers lose time, money, clients and hair over?

'Nuff said.

[Rishabh_Tiwari]

Hi @Zen Creative Agency,

I'm sorry to hear about the challenges you've been having with the software, and I completely understand your frustration. For crash on launch issues on macOS Ventura and InDesign 18.5, please update the macOS to the latest version of Ventura. For other issues, please share a few more details like:

-Are you experiencing display issues on your primary, external, or both monitors?
-Is your GPU acceleration turned on or off?

These details will allow us to offer more targeted guidance and support to address your concerns. We're here to help you get back to a smooth and productive workflow, so please don't hesitate to share any additional information or questions you may have.

Thanks
Rishabh

[defaultco7tgtl6rjm3]

Is there any progress on a solution for these crashes? I'm losing hours a week on this problem.

[Nia5C6E]

I used InDesign with no troubles last week - then early this morning, attempted to do a quick revision and it.will.not.open. It also will not reinstall via creative cloud (it has said "waiting" for 10 minutes) - we should not be expected to pay a subscription fee for products that just suddently do not function. Adobe, please advise, ASAP. We have clients waiting!

[BobLevine]

What operating system? If you go back through this and the other threads you'll find that similar issues were fixed by Apple because it was their issue, not Adobe's. Make sure that you are running the most updated version of Ventura.

Do not upgrade to Sonoma. It's got it's own share of issues with InDesign.

[8zRE]

Hey Adobe Community!

I keep on having issues with InDesign 2024 (v 19.0) not opening when I come into work. When I click on the icon, the loading screen will come up for a minute and then it will just crash and not open. I have reported quite a few incedences to Apple and Adobe via the crash reporting system.

I will then have to open InDesign 2023 version and convert the file back to that version to find that all of the photo and logo links are missing. 

My workaround right now is to uninstall InDesign 2024 and then reinstall it. It then will open my files until I go on a break and come back and it will stop opening documents. So every day in the morning and after lunch, I have to uninstall and reinstall InDesign and sometimes it still closes for no reason and I cannot open anything again. Pretty frustrating. 

My laptop Mac computer at home and my colleague's Mac laptop do not have these issues. Does anyone have a better solution or having similar issues? Thanks!

[Steve Werner]

It would be worth a try to restore your InDesign preferences and caches in InDesign 2024.

Here are the instructions to do that:

https://www.rockymountaintraining.com/adobe-indesign-rebuilding-preferences-cache/

[BobLevine]

Which version of Ventura. This type of issue was fixed with 13.5.

Do not upgrade to Sonoma.

[8zRE]

Thank you Bob! I have Ventura 13.2.1 version. I will make sure to upgrade it to 13.5 and not use Sonoma! I really appreciate it!!

[larrymannino]

Thanks Bob - just upgraded from 13 to 13.6 and it works fine now.  Glad to have found the option not to upgrade to the latest OS version - early adoption has ruined my day on more than one occasion 😉

[Steve Werner]

Bob has a good point. You should update your Mac to Ventura 13.6, the current version most compatible with InDesign 2024. And it's definitely NOT compatible yet with Sonoma.

[Steve Werner]

There was another Ventura update a day or so ago to 13.6.1, by the way. Security update.

[BobLevine]

As pointed out multiple times, make sure Ventura is updated to 13.6.2.

[Keith23117844hae8]

I realise there's a thread on this issue already, but hoping another will urge Adobe to fix this ASAP. I'm right in the middle of doing a magazine and it's driving me insane. I had hoped the update a few days ago would have fixed it, but seems Adobe ignored the issue.

The GPU acceleration fix isn't an option for me on my 2018 Mac Mini with an old Dell monitor. Turning off rulers had me excited when it fixed the screen turning white while selecting text, but selecting boxes/objects it still flashes. Worst of all I'm unable to reset the zero point on the guides as the screen just goes completely white. 

It's nearly unusable at this point. 

[Eugene Tyson]

What's 'Sonoma'?

Does it flash without the Dell Monitor - have you tried a different monitor?
Had an issue with a monitor recently, and switched from USB-C cable to HDMI cable and the HDMI cable worked better.
IT explained that there wasn't enough power to the monitor that's why it wasn't working.

Maybe try different cables or a different monitor?