How do I disable GPU acceleration here? Premiere won't let me switch to "software only".

[rgr2]

How do I disable GPU acceleration here? Premiere won't let me switch to "software only".

[Ann Bens]

You cannot disable the option. Software only has been removed with 25.2

If you want to use Software only you will have to restart Premiere while holding down Alt.

Then you can use the option.

https://community.adobe.com/t5/premiere-pro-beta-discussions/now-released-software-rendering-option-...

[JonesVid · Accepted solution]

Adobe have disabled Software rendering option on 25.2 and all you see is a greyed out rendering option.

GPU is selected by default

To enable Software rendering only you just hold down <SHIFT> key whilst starting Premiere

The attached dialogue box comes up where you can select a number of options.

Software Render as one off is the last option.

This greyed out Render infomration has confused a lot of users

[james_90]

Not working as of 20/07/25 apparently. I see the first four options, but the 5th option is invisible ("Use Software Rendering only (one-time only)").

Am I the only one with this problem?

[Ann Bens]

If your rendering is set to Software only you wont get the option.

[james_90]

It's not set to Software only. It's set to 'Mercure Playback Engine GPU Acceleration (Metal) - Recommended' and I can't change it.

[RjL190365 · Accepted solution]

Are you running an Apple Silicon Mac (as opposed to an Intel Mac)? If so, then you're permanently locked to the Metal GPU acceleration mode. Apple Silicon-native versions of Premiere Pro never offered software-only rendering at all no matter what.