Ensure that your computer meets the minimum system requirements.
Last updated on
Oct 20, 2026
Learn how to resolve crashes, freezes, and launch failures in Adobe Illustrator using preferences, drivers, plug-ins, and other troubleshooting steps.
Illustrator can crash, freeze, or fail to launch because of corrupted preferences, outdated system components, insufficient resources, or third-party software conflicts.
Illustrator may close unexpectedly, become unresponsive, fail to launch, or crash while opening or saving files, applying effects, or using specific tools.
Illustrator crashes, becomes unresponsive, or doesn't launch. Before trying the solutions below, complete these diagnostic steps.
Perform these steps in sequence until the crash is fixed.
Update Illustrator to the latest version and restart your computer.
Back up and reset your app preferences.
Check the System Compatibility Report for outdated GPU driver issues and update the drivers if needed.
Use the Creative Cloud Cleaner tool to perform a clean reinstall of Illustrator.
Damaged preference files can prevent Illustrator from starting or cause unexpected crashes
Press and hold Option + Command + Shift (macOS) or Alt + Ctrl + Shift (Windows) while launching Illustrator.
Confirm that you want to delete the preference files.
Wait for Illustrator to create new preference files.
Restart Illustrator.
Test the action that previously caused the issue.
If the issue persists, follow the steps in the dedicated preferences troubleshooting guidance to delete the Illustrator preferences folder.
Outdated GPU drivers can cause GPU performance issues in Illustrator
Select Edit > Preferences > Performance (Windows) or Illustrator > Preferences > Performance (macOS).
Deselect GPU Performance.
Restart Illustrator.
Update your graphics driver from the manufacturer's website.
Turn on GPU Performance after updating the driver.
Keep GPU Performance deactivated if the issue persists.
Outdated or incompatible third-party plug-ins can prevent Illustrator from starting correctly
Link to the current Adobe missing plug-in troubleshooting guidance rather than inventing a plug-in path. If the folder name must be entered, format Disabled Plugins as user-entered text.
Restart Illustrator.
If plug-ins are causing the crash, follow the current troubleshooting steps for missing or incompatible plug-ins.
Download an updated version from the plug-in developer's website or remove the plug-in.
Insufficient memory or scratch disk space can cause Illustrator to become unstable when working with large documents
Select Edit > Preferences > Plug-ins & Scratch Disks (Windows) or Illustrator > Settings > Plug-ins & Scratch Disks (macOS).
For memory-related crashes, follow Adobe’s dedicated Memory troubleshooting guidance.
Restart Illustrator.
Reopen the document.
Damaged or incompatible fonts can cause Illustrator to crash during startup or when opening documents
Launch Illustrator in Safe Mode.
Review the fonts listed in the Safe Mode diagnostic dialog box.
Remove or update the affected fonts.
For font-related crashes, follow Adobe’s dedicated Fonts troubleshooting guidance.
Restart Illustrator.
Test Illustrator.
Corrupted artwork or damaged document data can cause Illustrator to stop responding when opening or saving files
For crashes limited to a specific file, link to the dedicated File open and save troubleshooting and Recover Illustrator files after crash guidance. Missing or damaged Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable components can prevent Illustrator from starting on Windows.
Open Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features.
For DLL-related crashes, follow Adobe’s dedicated DLL troubleshooting guidance.
Launch Illustrator.
Test whether the issue is resolved.
Outdated printer drivers can prevent Illustrator from printing correctly or cause crashes when opening print settings
Open Start > Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners (Windows) or System Settings > Printers & Scanners (macOS).
For printer-related crashes, follow Adobe’s dedicated Printer troubleshooting guidance.
Restart Illustrator.
Test printing again.
If none of these solutions resolve the issue, check the Illustrator fixed issues to see if your problem matches a known bug with available patches. For persistent crashes, share your crash report or crash log with Adobe Technical Support for advanced diagnostics.
Design with precision in Illustrator
Bring your ideas to life with vector graphics tools built for creative freedom and accuracy.
