Why is InDesign getting worse and worse

[LauraFig]

I've used InDesign for at least 15 years and until a few years ago it was great. But over the past few years it has gotten worse and worse in regard to crashing and just doing odd things. This has been my experience, first when I got a top of the line 2020 iMac with an M1 chip, and now with a brand new Mac Studio with an M2 Max chip, 64GB memory and Apple Studio monitor.

The main issue is that it crashes on an almost daily basis. Fortunately I haven't lost a file yet, but it's still annoying. I've been on the phone with Adobe tech support a number of times, but despite removing the preferences, updating the OS and app version, etc, etc, any improvement lasts maybe a week.  

It also does weird things like defaults to a different workspace arrangement everytime I leave InDesign to momentarily work in another program. I've reset my preferred workspace (no docs open) numerous times. 

Occasionally things like text color or edits don't view properly. I have to toggle back and forth between "normal" and "preview" views multiple times to get the "real" version to show. Other settings also stop working on a random basis.

It would be really nice if Adobe could get the basics working instead of focusing on "improvements" to justify the monthly fee. 

[Abhishek Rao]

Hi @LauraFig,

I’m sorry to hear about the trouble you’ve been experiencing with InDesign-it sounds incredibly frustrating, especially given your long history with the app. Let’s try to get to the bottom of this!

Have you been submitting crash reports when InDesign crashes? These reports are vital for the engineering team to diagnose and resolve issues. If you haven’t already, you can follow this guide to submit them: Submit Crash Reports.

Could you let us know:

• Does the crash occur in newly created documents as well, or is it specific to certain files?
• Are there particular actions or workflows that seem to trigger the crash?

In the meantime, a few steps that might help:

1. Articles to Check:

 - Crash on Launch Troubleshooting

 - Crash While Working on Documents

2. Try Running in Safe Mode (Mac) orRoot Account:
This can help identify if a third-party app or system issue is causing the problem.

3. Reset Preferences Manually:

 - Close all Adobe apps.

 - Go to ~/Library/Caches and ~/Library/Preferences.

 - Rename Adobe InDesign to Adobe InDesign.old and com.adobe.InDesign to com.adobe.InDesign.old.

 - Relaunch InDesign from the Creative Cloud app.

    Reference: https://adobe.ly/4iURCi4

4. Rename Adobe Folders:

 - Navigate to /Library/Application Support/Adobe and rename the CEP folder to CEP.old.

 - If this doesn’t resolve the issue, rename the UXP folder to UXP.old from the same location.

Please try these steps and let me know if they help or if the issue persists. I’ll do my best to assist you further!

Best,
Abhishek Rao

[LauraFig]

Thanks very much for your fast reply Abhishek. I appreciate your thoughful answer and will make an effort to send the crash reports since maybe someone does pay attention.

The crashes are equal opportunity, selecting files randomly. Main common denominator is that I'm working in InDesign, probably on a deadline. Starting to suspect that one of the InDesign upgrades is AI that can pinpoint the least convenient, most stressful time to crash! 

I've been through most of the items that you suggest with the help of the very patient Adobe tech support folks, but will try again and report back!! One question. How is running in safe mode different than regular mode? Are there things I won't be able to do while in safe mode, e.g. use my Extensis Connect font organizer, check email?

[Abhishek Rao]

Hi LauraFig,

Thank you for the quick response! I completely understand how frustrating it can be when the app crashes at the worst times, especially under deadline pressure.

Regarding your question about Safe Mode-running InDesign in Safe Mode helps isolate whether third-party apps, plugins, or extensions are causing the issue. It’s essentially a stripped-down version of InDesign that disables those extras to test if they are contributing to the crashes. 

While in Safe Mode, some functionality may be limited, like access to third-party plugins (such as Extensis Connect) or certain system-level integrations. However, you should still be able to perform basic tasks within InDesign. Safe Mode does not interfere with your ability to check emails or perform other non-InDesign tasks.

I recommend running InDesign in Safe Mode briefly to see if the crashes persist. If they stop in Safe Mode, we may have a clue that one of your third-party apps is contributing to the issue. If it continues, we can explore other troubleshooting steps.

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need further assistance as you go through these steps.

Best,  
Abhishek Rao  

[LauraFig]

Yeah, I think this is why I haven't been able to test in safe mode. It would be impossible for me to work without using the correct fonts, and to "pretend" work for hours isn't really an option.

[BobLevine]

What operating system?

[LauraFig]

Constantly updating the OS. Never helps at all.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@LauraFig

Is/was 2024 so bad as well?

2025 is quite terrible and it's best to downgrade. 

[LauraFig]

I've been having issues since about 2021-22 when I got a new iMac with an M1 chip. At first they said it was Adobe catching up with the M1 chip, but it never really improved much. Then thinking perhaps it was a hardware/memory issue I got a new Mac Studio, but it didn't help.

[davecourtemanche]

While I empathize with your frustrations and would like to see some core functionality bug fixes, I don't agree with the assessment that it is getting worse. I've been using it since the beginning and it has steadily improved. 2025 release is a bit meh - I have no use for AI in Indesign and don't work with math layout (though I could see it being quite handy for those that do). There are a great many features that have introduced that I use regularly (para shading/border) that have inspired improvement suggestions which I post on the Feature Request site. I certainly encourage people to use that more - wish it was somehow tied into these forums. 

The crashing on the regular for you is very frustrating. I'm on an M2 Mac Mini and don't have the issues you do. I've never had a crash report return a solution (I think I'd fall out of my chair if it did). The workspace annoyance had me replace "Essentials" with my customized workspace, so that "fixed" it for me. 

I would try to create a new user acct on your computer and try running it in that (without any extras that may have been added to your current user account). Often, it's other apps or plugins conflicting which makes it much more challenging to troubleshoot.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

Like the Magnet recently. 

[LauraFig]

Really my issues aren't with InDesign's features, but with the constant crashes and glitches I experience. The only outside thing I use with any of the Adobe apps is Extensis Connect for font management. What do you use?

[davecourtemanche]

That's what I use, but have turned off the "auto activate" feature as that has caused issues for me with past versions. I'm using version 25 as the new interface/functionality of 26 is not for me.

[LauraFig]

Thanks Dave. I'll try turning off the auto-activate. I think I'm already on 26, but it doesn't seem to have had any effect one way or another. Since others aren't havimg the same InDesign issues as I am, it gives me hope that it may be a simpel fix like what you suggested.  Just out of curiosity, do you have an Apple studio display monitor? I got one with my Mac Studio and things seem a bit more haywire than they were with my iMac. Never had any issues with my 2012 Apple Cinema display, except it was getting old and eventually just stopped working after 20 years.

[davecourtemanche]

No, I'm waaaay to cheap for that. 😄 That stinks that it gives you issues. I believe my home monitor is a 4K Panasonic. No issues.

[LauraFig]

It was expensive, but since my old monitor lasted 20 years I have this crazy idea that the new one will too!

[Eugene Tyson]

I get it's frustrating. But I have to say, I don't have those issues and being using InDesign for about 20+ years. Albeit, at least half have been on Windows, which I wish I could go back to. 

Where I don't have these issues, I do have an issue with Macs, they're expensive, and I have an M3 32gb and be honest I don't think it's fit for purpose for the price that is paid for them. 

I think they are bog standard computers - nothing special. And since they moved away from Intel to their own processors it's just gotten worse. 

My experience is that Macs don't play well with any software that is not Apple. 

Microsoft Teams constantly logs out, meaning if it's in the background I don't know if I'm being contacted for an urgent request. 

The entire OS locks up and requires a restart, sometimes restarting 4 or 5 times. 

I've encountered the situation where it won't accept my password to login then I get logged out and have to get a Passkey or whatever it's called to log in and reset the password. 

Apple Keychain often forgets essential login or just wipes itself. 

I don't do anything except open the laptop, launch InDesign and work. 

I am on InDesign 2022 and testing 2023 (have it installed from before) and won't move unless I have to. There's no new features and InDesign 2022 is stable with OS 14.x or whatever I'm on at the moment. 

I'm sick of Apple - I think they're products are completely substandard and overpriced. It's supposed to be thin and light but it's heavier than my ten year old laptop with a mechanical 1tb hard drive (not SSD). 

That being said - I do get the frustration that you pay a lot for a computer and expect the software to work flawlessly. I've commented on these forums for a long time - maybe 20 years as well - and I very rarely see anyone with Windows comment that InDeisgn is not working for them. 

Maybe it's because a large percentage of people are on Mac, maybe that's the reason. But certainly for the 10+ years I worked on Windows I very rarely had an issue with InDesign or any of the Adobe programs. 

My original workflow was Mac based in a print production environment and I always remember having to run Disk Warrior on the Mac - taking out parts and replacing with other parts from other Macs that were redundant and used for spares. 

I thought those days were gone, I thought after 10/15/20/25 years going back to Mac those issues would be gone. 

No it's bad as it was in 1999. 

----------------------

I know it doesn't help your situation I just felt like it was relevant to share my experience and frustration with Apple.

[LauraFig]

I appreciate your perspective. Mine has been really positive until until I got an iMac a few years ago to replace my eight-year-old Mac Pro. I had four top of the line Mac's (desktop, not laptop) over about a 28 year span with no hardware issues ever, and very rarely any software issues. In the mean time I watched my husband constantly having PC problems. Since the issues began just a few years ago with the new chip, you may be right about that being the root of my current problems, which would be sad for Apple users. That said, I do wonder if software companies create problems when they are under constant pressure to "upgrade" their product, and if the subscription model adds pressure to release not-quite-ready software versions. For a while I had to run an old version of Acrobat to get the scroll bars back. Since I've tried all the preference trashing, reinstalling, etc. a few times already, I'm going to try running in safe mode as Abihshek suggested, and will just have to temporarily figure out another way to access fonts in place of Extensis Connect. 

[Abhishek Rao]

Hi @LauraFig,  

I’m sorry to hear about the ongoing crashes and glitches—this sounds incredibly frustrating. Since the issue persists across multiple devices, it may be worth testing with Extensis Connect’s auto-activate feature turned off, as suggested by Dave. Also, try creating a new user account on your Mac and running InDesign there to rule out conflicts. Reference: https://adobe.ly/40gily0

Let me know how it goes!  

Best,  
Abhishek Rao  

[LauraFig]

Thank you Abhishek. I actually uninstalled Extensis Connect to see if that would isolate the issue. If that doesn't work I'll try your suggestion about setting up a new user. 

[Abhishek Rao]

Hi @LauraFig,

Thank you for the update! Please keep us posted on how it goes with the new user account or if uninstalling Extensis Connect resolves the issue.  

We’re here to help if you need further assistance! 

Best,
Abhishek Rao  

[LauraFig]

Unfortunately uninstalling Extensis Connect didn't help. Same issues with InDesign crashing and glitchy behavior. 

I did try starting up in "safe" mode, but it doesn't allow my Wacom pen to load. I've been using a Wacom pen for at least 20 years and using a mouse isn't an option.

The thing is, when I got my Mac Studio a few months agao, I purposely didn't migrate my old hard drive. Everything was installed fresh since I was having issues with my older iMac, but nothing improved. Any suggestions?

[Randy Hagan]

FWIW, I've had good luck using RightFont as my font manager. 

The price point is attractive, and the publisher offers a trial period before you buy.  You may want to try a different font manager and see if that helps relieve you from your issues.It will take a little time, but it shouldn't cost you more than a little time to try and see if that helps.

Hope this works for you,

Randy

[rickt38612460]

@LauraFig Where abouts do your InDesign documents and links reside. Are they in the cloud, local storage, external storage or on a connected sever? We have crashing issues with our InDeesign documents and links (large & small) which reside on a server which we connect too via SMB. Our server is old and does not  support the latest version of SMB and I belive Apples support/implemtation of SMB in the operating system is not great. We had far less problems with the old AFP protocol and working with the same documents and links from Dropbox the crashing issues are mostly gone.

Also what monitor are you using? We have problems with InDesign Worspace arrangments on Mac Studios but only with the LG Ultrafine 27" monitors.

[LauraFig]

Thanks for your thoughts on this, you never know when little clues can provide a solution. It's just me so I work on the local drive. My monitor is a brand new Apple Studio display and I also have an Acer as a second monitor, but I just shove things over there and don't work on it per se.