Why does my layout window become a blank gray screen?

[Adwiz]

InDesign 2024 on my Mac Studio loses the layout window after a few hours of inaction. If I leave a document open while I go to a meeting or something, when I return the main layout window is just a blank gray screen and no amount of effort brings it back, unless I close the document and re-open it. What gives with this and how can I resolve it? Doesn't happen with any other Adobe apps, just InDesign.

[leo.r]

What are your exact versions of InDesign and macOS?

Also, are you using dual monitors by any chance?

[Adwiz]

Mac Studio is running Sonoma 14.3.1 (23D60). Indesign is 19.4

[leo.r]

First, update to the latest Sonoma - macOS 14.5.x - will it make a difference?

Also, try to toggle the GPU Performance option in InDesign preferences.

[Anshul_Saini]

Hi @Adwiz,

I'm sorry to hear about the trouble you're experiencing with InDesign. I faced a similar situation yesterday, and as Leo suggested toggling the GPU Preview to CPU Preview brought the layout window back.

Could you please provide some additional details to help us understand the issue better?

• What are your Mac Studio details (model, RAM, CPU)?
• What is the make and model of your external monitor, and what resolution is set in the display settings of your Mac?
• Is the monitor connected via HDMI, DisplayPort, or Type-C?
• Does your Mac Studio go to sleep, and do you see the blank InDesign layout window when you wake it up?
• Have you tried using a different workspace, and does this issue happen with all files?

Thank you for your patience.

Best regards,
Anshul Saini

[Adwiz]

2022 M1 Max Studio with 64Gb RAM

Monitor is an Apple Thunderbolt Display 2560x1440 connected, of course, via Thunderbolt Type-C

The issue happens with all files

Doesn't happen just by going to sleep, but only after leaving the file open and inactive for an extended time, such as a couple of hours or more. 

I've toggled GPU Preview but it didn't help. I've now turned off GPU Preview entirely to see if it makes a difference. I've also updated Sonoma to 14.5, which maybe wasn't smart because now I might not know which of those two changes solves the issue if it does get resolved.

[Adwiz · Accepted solution]

Update: After 2 days, the problem has not reappeared. I don't know if it is because I turned off GPU Preview or if it was the update to Sonoma 14.5 from 14.3. I will turn GPU Preview back on to see if that makes a difference.

[Coby_Bush5451]

Ya, Indesign's been doing this for years with me. It's just a crappy program and they just can't get it right. Everyone I know deals with this. Love how the response is always, "tell me about your hardware and settings..." It's not the hardware, it's the unstable and crappy application.

Call it a feature and up the monthly a few bucks Adobe.

[stephantran]

MBP M1 Max 64GB sequoia 15.1 connected to external Dell U4025QW or connected to 4K Dell as well. Same problem, when GPU preview is activated, the InDesign document windows renders a grey background (all other UI elements are fine, just the document window). You can select all elements as if they were still present and a colored outline appears around all the elements but nothing else renders on the screen 

[stephantran]

InDesign document is 43MB FYI. Machine specs attached. Happens with different files, not only the one I'm currently using. Does not happen with a "fresh" new file though. Unclear if this happens after the mac has gone to sleep or not. Happened with previous iteration of OS as well.