[CRITICAL] Advanced 3D consistently crashes After Effects 2025 / Forum system also failing to accept
I am opening this new thread because I am currently facing a "Double Bug" situation:
Critical Software Bug: After Effects 2025 (and previous versions) consistently crashes when using the "Advanced 3D" renderer.
Community System Bug: I am unable to reply to my previous thread or send/receive private messages. Although the system shows messages as "sent," they are not appearing, and I have now reached a PM limit.
I am posting this detailed report here in hopes of reaching the technical team or finding a solution. I have already spent significant time performing exhaustive troubleshooting with an AI thought partner. Below is the full log.
[Section 1: Answers to Initial Staff Questions]
To clarify the scope of the problem:
Is this happening with all projects?
Yes. It occurs in ALL projects, including completely new, empty projects.
Is it all the 3D model files?
Yes. It happens with ALL 3D model files (.glb, .gltf, .obj, etc.). Furthermore, it crashes even without any 3D models, simply by enabling the "Advanced 3D" renderer for a shape layer.
Are you seeing any error messages?
Yes. I get: "After Effects can't continue: Advanced 3D plug-in generated an unexpected exception." or "Before quitting, you have one chance to save your project..." followed by a force quit.
[Section 2: System Specifications]
OS: Windows 11 Pro (Version 25H2 / Build 26200.7462)
App: Adobe After Effects v25.5 (Latest) and v25.3.2
CPU: 13th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-13700H (2.40 GHz)
RAM: 32.0 GB
Discrete GPU (GPU 1): NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU (8GB VRAM)
GPU Driver: NVIDIA Studio Driver v591.44 (Clean installed)
Integrated GPU (GPU 0): Intel(R) Iris(R) Xe Graphics
[Section 3: Exhaustive 11-Step Troubleshooting Log]
[Phase 1: Initial Triage]
Step 1: GPU Driver Clean Install
Installed the latest NVIDIA Studio Driver using "Custom" -> "Perform a clean installation," followed by a restart.
Step 2: Reset Preferences
Launched AE while holding Ctrl + Alt + Shift to delete and reset all preference files.
Step 3: Isolation Test (Shape Layers)
Created a new comp, switched to "Advanced 3D," and enabled the 3D switch on a shape layer.
Result: Crashed instantly ("Before quitting..."). This proved the issue is independent of any specific 3D model file.
Step 4: Safe Mode Launch
Launched AE in Safe Mode with all 3rd party plugins disabled.
Result: Crash identical to Step 3.
Step 5: Clean Reinstallation of AE
Uninstalled AE via Creative Cloud, selecting "Remove preferences," then reinstalled.
Step 6: Launching in a Clean State
On the first launch, selected "Do Not Migrate Settings" to ensure a factory-default state.
Step 7: Reproducing in Clean State
Repeated the Step 3 test in the completely clean state.
Result: Still crashed instantly.
[Phase 2: Advanced Hypothesis Testing]
Step 8: MUX Switch Check (Optimus Conflict Hypothesis)
Attempted to force dGPU-only mode via BIOS/UEFI and manufacturer software. Hardware does not support a MUX switch, but dGPU assignment was confirmed in Windows settings.
Step 9: AE Downgrade (Regression Bug Hypothesis)
Installed v25.3.2 (a version reportedly more stable).
Result: Same crash with the same error message.
Step 10: DDU & Driver Rollback (OS/Driver Hypothesis)
Used Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) in Safe Mode to wipe all drivers. Clean-installed Studio Driver v581.29.
Result: No change.
Step 11: Final Combined Intervention
Setup: AE 25.3.2 + Driver 581.29 + Intel Iris Xe Graphics DISABLED in Device Manager (Forcing 100% NVIDIA usage).
Final Result: STILL crashed with the exact same error message.
[Section 4: Final Conclusion]
Third-party 3D plugins (like Video Copilot Element 3D) work perfectly. Only the native "Advanced 3D" renderer consistently fails. Since the hardware (RTX 4060) is recognized and shows activity in Task Manager, this appears to be a deep-seated bug within the native plug-in or its interaction with Windows 11 (25H2).
I am sharing this to find a solution or a workaround. Thank you.
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