Fix: Adobe After Effects Not Responding Fix for Mac and Windows

Adobe After Effects is known for premium digital visual effects developed by Adobe Inc. Adobe After Effects allow multiple features for professional video editors to make their editing videos at a creative level using motion graphics, tracking, compositing, and video animation. Unfortunately, most Adobe After Effects users encountered Windows and Mac issues.

In addition, whether you’re an Adobe After Effects professional or beginner, frequent applications not responding can be challenging to finish editing projects, especially when you’re dependent due to filmmaking and video editing projects. If you’re a professional or beginner on Adobe After Effects and it’s not responding on Windows and Mac, don’t worry.

In this article, we will figure out the common causes and provide some possible troubleshooting solutions which you can easily take to solve them. By following the mentioned steps, you may easily fix your Adobe After Effects on your Windows and Mac devices.

What Causes Adobe After Effects Not Responding on Mac and Windows?

Various reasons cause the Adobe After Effects not responding on Windows and Mac devices. However, multiple users experience these issues whenever they try to access the additional features or install a new font. The users also have noticed that they can’t return to their previous projects due to the same cause, which can be frustrating. So, let’s have a deep look at why your Adobe After Effects is not responding on your Windows and Mac devices:

• Weak Internet Connection: There may be a reason why your Adobe After Effects is not responding due to an unstable internet connection. Due to a weak or low internet connection, Adobe After Effects won’t work properly on your Windows and Mac.
• Corrupt Hard Drive: A corrupted hard drive may damage the project, stable installs, and other files, which can cause no recognition on Adobe After Effects. In such cases, you have to replace the hard drive.
• Outdated Graphics Driver: In most cases, the outdated graphics driver is the main culprit behind After Effects not responding to issues on your Windows and Mac devices. AMD, Nvidia, and Intel keep updating their graphics driver. By doing that, they will easily fix the problem related to drivers and enhance the performance.
• Overheating Issue: If your Mac and Windows device is excessively heating, you might face an issue with your Adobe After Effects. In this case, you have to place your device at a cold temperature and let it cool.
• Insufficient Storage: Insufficient storage on your Windows and Mac can cause Adobe After Effects not to respond. Make sure that you have enough storage space on your device before launching Adobe After Effects to run the application smoothly.
• Compatibility Issue: Having compatibility issues with your Mac or Windows can cause Adobe After Effects not to respond. Moreover, you should check the requirements for Adobe After Effects before installing it on your Windows and Mac.
• Outdated Software Updates: Outdated software updates are the major cause of not responding to Adobe After Effects on your Windows and Mac devices. Make sure to check and update your device’s software version.

These were some of the main reasons why your Adobe After Effects is not responding on your Windows and Mac devices. This issue can be annoying, especially when you’re relying upon the applications and making a project, and suddenly you face this problem. But don’t be sad, you may easily fix the problem by trying the mentioned solutions.

Fix Adobe After Effects Not Responding on Mac and Windows

Not only users multiple Adobe users encountered this issue on their Windows and Mac devices while making video projects. So, without doing any further ado, let’s get started to fix your Adobe After Effects not responding issue as soon as possible.

Fix 1: Restart Your Device

The first thing you have to do is restart your Windows and Mac devices to check if it will solve the problem. Sometimes it’s possible that your Windows and Mac devices have some bugs and glitches preventing Adobe After Effects from working. Restating the device will fix the minor bugs and temporary issues on your device, and you may easily get back to your Adobe After Effects again.

Once you have restarted your Windows and Mac devices, head over to Adobe After Effects and check if the issue is resolved. If Adobe After Effects is still not responding, you should follow other solutions.

Fix 2: Check the Internet Connection

The next thing you have to do is check your internet connection on your Windows and Mac. An internet connection is necessary to access Adobe After Effects application. Make sure you’re connected with a stable internet connection, and again launch Adobe After Effects. If the connection isn’t strong, try restarting your router or modem for a stable internet connection. Again, try to access your Adobe After Effects and check if the issue is resolved.

Fix 3: Clear Cache and Preferences

It is possible that your Adobe After Effects are not responding on your Windows and Mac due to a corrupted cache and preferences. In most cases, caching and preferences can be cleared, and it helps you to fix the problem. You may easily clear the cache and preferences by following the mentioned steps:

For Windows:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete Key on your Keyboard in the Chrome browser.
2. Choose All Time and tick the three checkboxes.
3. Finally, click Clear data.
4. Now restart your Windows and launch Adobe After Effects.

For Mac:

1. Open Finder and navigate to the following folder: ~/Library/Preferences/Adobe/After Effects/
2. Choose the folder and file and delete all of them.
3. Go to this folder: ~/Library/Caches/Adobe/After Effects/
4. On this folder, delete all files and folders and restart your Mac.
5. Once your Mac is restarted, launch Adobe After Effects.

Fix 4: Disable Extensions

You can also try to disable the extension you’re using on your browser on Windows and Mac. Sometimes, the extensions can cause Adobe After Effects not to respond. Moreover, you have to disable the extensions you’re using on your Windows and Mac to fix Adobe After Effects. Here’s how you can disable the extensions by following the mentioned steps:

For Windows:

1. On your browser, click on the three vertical dots at the top right of the screen and choose More Tools and again select Extensions.
2. Now choose to Remove or disable it by selecting the switch to disable potentially.
3. Once you have disabled the extension, try restarting your Windows and launching Adobe After Effects.

For Mac:

1. On your Mac, choose Safari > Settings and click on Extensions.
2. Now select the checkboxes and turn off the extensions potentially.
3. To uninstall the extension, choose the extension you want to delete and click on the Uninstall button.

Once you have disabled or uninstalled the extension on your Windows and Mac browsers, launch Adobe After Effects and check if the issue is resolved.

Fix 5: Repair Disk Management (Mac)

In most times, Adobe After Effects not responding due to problems with disk management. If you’re having an issue with Adobe After Effects, you may easily solve the problem by repairing the disk management. Here’s how:

1. Close all the applications on your Mac.
2. Try using the Disk Utility, which is located in Applications > Utilities.
3. In the sidebar, choose the startup disk.
4. Select “First Aid” from the menu.
5. Select “Repair Disk Permissions” and let the process run.
6. Once finished, restart your Mac and launch Adobe After Effects to check if the issue is resolved.

Fix 6: Reinstall Adobe After Effects (Mac)

You can also try reinstalling Adobe After Effects on your Windows and Mac devices. In most cases, the corrupted and incorrect settings can cause Adobe After Effects not to respond to an issue, and re-install may help you to fix the problem. Here’s how you can re-install Adobe After Effects on your Windows and Mac by following the mentioned steps:

1. Firstly, uninstall your Adobe After Effects using the Creative Cloud app. You can also uninstall it by dragging it to the Trash.
2. Restart your Mac.
3. Now install Adobe After Effects using the Creative Cloud app and let them download.
4. Once downloaded, launch Adobe After Effects after restarting your Mac and check if the issue is resolved.

Fix 7: Create a New User Account

You can also try to create a new user account on your Windows and Mac to fix the Adobe After Effects not responding issue. In most cases, the corrupted user account and settings can cause problems with Adobe After Effects application. Here’s how you can create a new user account by following the mentioned steps:

For Windows:

1. Press Windows Key on your Keyboard to open the menu and choose “Settings.”
2. Now choose the “Account” option on the right side of the screen.
3. Scroll down and select the “Other users” option.
4. Now click on “Add account” next to “Add other user.”
5. Enter the required details and information and follow the prompts.
6. Once the account has been successfully created, launch Adobe After Effects and check if it’s working.

For Mac:

1. Head over to System Preferences > Users & Groups to manage users and groups.
2. Now click on the “+”button to create an account.
3. Enter the required details and click the “Create User” button.
4. Now exit your current user account.
5. Now you log in to your new user account on your Mac and launch Adobe After Effects to check if the issue is resolved.

If the issue may have been related to the old user account and if your Adobe After Effects is working fine on the new user account, you can continue using the new user account or transfer your files and settings.

Fix 8: Check for GPU Drivers Updates

It’s possible that your Adobe After Effects is not responding on your Windows and Mac due to an outdated version of GPU Drivers. Make sure the latest version of GPU Drivers is installed on your Mac and Windows with a dedicated GPU. You can check for GPU Driver update on your Windows and Mac by following the mentioned steps:

For Windows:

1. Press Windows + X Key on your Keyboard and select “Device Manager.”
   Expand the “Display adapters” option by clicking on the arrow icon on the left side of the screen.
2. Right-click on Intel(R) UHD Graphics and select “Update driver.”
3. Now select “Search automatically for drivers.”
4. The device will automatically search for the latest GPU driver updates.
5. If an update is available, download and install it by following the on-screen instructions.
6. Once the update is downloaded, restart your Windows and launch Adobe After Effects to check if the issue is resolved.

For Mac:

1. On the Apple menu, Select “About This Mac.”
2. Now select “System Report.”
3. From the sidebar, choose “Graphics/Displays.”
4. Make sure to check the field Metal: Supported. on the screen.
5. Again, head over to the “Software” tab and make sure your GPU drivers are up-to-date.
6. If your GPU isn’t updated, update it by following the on-screen instructions.

Fix 9: Update the Software

You may also check for software updates on your Mac and Windows device if Adobe After Effects is not responding on your Mac and Windows. The outdated version of the device may cause a problem preventing it from working.

Make sure to check for available updates on your Mac and Windows and download if the update is available. If an update is available, download and install it by following the on-screen instructions. Once the download is completed, restart your Windows and Mac and launch Adobe After Effects to check if the issue is resolved.

Fix 10: Reset Preferences to Default (Mac)

If the above-mentioned solutions don’t work at all, you can try resetting your Adobe After Effects preferences. By performing this step, Adobe After Effects will be reset to its default settings, and you may easily fix your Adobe After Effects not responding issue. To reset preferences to default on your Mac, follow these steps:

1. Close your Adobe After Effects completely.
2. Launch your Adobe After Effects while holding down the Shift and Option keys.
3. Choose the preferred files on the dialog box and choose “Yes.”
4. Now launch Adobe After Effects after restarting your Mac and check if the issue is resolved.

Conclusion

Adobe After Effects is an essential platform around the world for design, animation, and visual effects. However, it can be annoying if your Adobe After Effects is not responding on your Mac and Windows devices. As we have discussed, there are multiple troubleshooting steps you can take to fix your Adobe After Effects if it isn’t working. By following the mentioned solutions, Adobe After Effects will run smoothly, and you may easily create stunning motion graphics and visual effects.