How to Fix Adobe After Effects Not Opening

There’s nothing more frustrating than when your tools are acting up. Particularly when you have a looming work deadline, are in the midst of a creative flow, or simply have a burning idea just waiting to be explored.

So, when we say we understand how you feel when your Adobe After Effects is not opening, we really do get it – and you’re not alone!

In this step-by-step guide, we’ll explore the reasons why After Effects can refuse to open and walk you through the process of resolving these issues. You’ll be back up and running in no time!

Why Does This Issue Occur?

Before we dive into fixing the issue, it’s always helpful to understand the root cause of why your After Effects is not opening. Even if it’s just to form some new habits that can help to prevent it from occurring again in the future.

The five most common contributing factors are:

1. Preferences Gone Bad: Over time, preferences and settings in After Effects can become corrupted, preventing the software from launching.
2. Outdated Software: If you’re working with an old version of Adobe After Effects, it might not function smoothly with your computer’s software setup.
3. Problematic Plugins: When third-party plugins on your computer become corrupted or are too old, it can affect the program’s ability to run efficiently.
4. Not Enough Power: Adobe After Effects needs a lot of computer power. If your computer falls short of the necessary specifications, it’s likely the software will struggle to launch.
5. Software Conflicts: Running multiple incompatible programs at the same time can cause an After Effects that refuses to open.

How to Help Resolve Adobe After Effects Not Opening

Now that you’re across some of the reasons behind the issue, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get to fixing it.

There are eight different solutions you can try. Follow these step-by-step instructions and you’ll be back to designing in no time.

1. Update Adobe After Effects

The first step is to ensure you’re running with the latest version of the program. Adobe software updates fix problems like startup issues. They also enhance the usability of the platform overall with added new features. Here’s how to check for updates:

• Launch Adobe Creative Cloud.
• Locate Adobe After Effects in the app list.
• If there’s an update available for After Effects, a button will say Update.

If you’re running the latest version, the bar will read Up to Date and the button Open.

2. Reset Preferences

Issues with your preference choices can sometimes prevent After Effects from opening. But it’s easy to reset your preferences, simply:

• Close After Effects if it’s running.
• Hold down the Ctrl + Alt + Shift keys on your keyboard for Windows and Command + Option + Shift on Mac.
• Launch After Effects while holding the keys.
• A dialogue box will appear, select Reset Preferences.

3. Check Third-Party Plugins

Old and new plugins can both play a part in causing a faulty After Effects. The issue is usually a result of incompatibility between the version of the plugin and the version After Effects. Or, it’s because the plugin has become corrupted. 

You can find out if your plugins are behind the issue by following these steps:

• Go to the After Effects folder on your computer (usually in the Applications folder).
• Locate the Plug-ins folder.
• Temporarily move all third-party plugins out of this folder to a different location (e.g., a desktop folder).
• Try launching After Effects. If it opens, one of the plugins may be causing the problem. Reinstall or update them one by one to single out the culprit.

4. Review the Necessary Computer Requirements

Adobe asks that your computer meets certain requirements for things like the processor, storage, or graphics card. Meeting these requirements ensures smooth running. It’s a good idea to check to see if your machine meets the minimum specifications, some of these include:

• A 64-bit processor and operating system (Microsoft Windows 10 (64-bit) V20H2 or later – and macOS Big Sur v11.0 or later).
• At least 16 GB of RAM (32 GB or more recommended).
• 2 GB of dedicated GPU (Graphics Processing Unit).
• Sufficient free storage space on your hard drive, minimum 15 GB with 64 GB recommended.

If your computer falls short in any of these aspects, it might be time to consider an upgrade. Here’s how to check what specifications you’re currently running with:

• Windows: Click the Windows button, then Settings. In the menu, select System. Scroll down and hit About. 
• macOS: Choose the Apple menu, then System Settings. Select General in the sidebar and About on the right.

5. Disable Conflicting Software

Sometimes, background processes from other software can interfere with how After Effects runs. To troubleshoot this, simply:

• Close all unnecessary background applications.
• Disable or uninstall any recently installed software that might conflict with After Effects.
• Restart your computer and try launching After Effects again.

6. Reinstall Adobe After Effects

If none of the above solutions work, you may need to hit refresh on the program altogether. To reinstall After Effects, you can:

• Uninstall Adobe After Effects from your computer.
• Download the latest version from the official Adobe website.
• Install the software and launch it.

Tip: Make sure you have your Adobe Creative Cloud credentials ready for activation.

7. Check for System Updates

Always keep your operating system is up to date. This is a simple and effective way to keep on top of a glitching After Effects. System updates generally contain critical fixes that resolve compatibility issues within the software.

Here’s the best way to check for updates:

• Windows: Click the Windows button, then Settings. In the menu, select Update & Security and Windows Update. Check for updates and install.
• macOS: Choose the Apple menu, then System Settings. Select General in the sidebar and Software Update on the right. If updates are available, click Update Now to install them.

Remember: Keeping your operating system current helps ensure that Adobe After Effects runs smoothly without any conflicts.

8. Seek Community Assistance

If all else fails and you’re still facing issues with Adobe After Effects not opening, don’t hesitate to seek help from the Adobe community or support forums. Many experienced users and Adobe support staff frequent these forums. They can provide valuable insights and solutions tailored to your specific problem.

To Wrap Up

While we all love After Effects and its ability to elevate even the most basic video editing skills to new heights, it does have its fair share of off-days.

But, you now have all the comprehensive troubleshooting steps outlined in this guide. So, you can tackle a stubborn After Effects issue head-on. You can get back to creating captivating videos with ease, with no missed deadlines in sight.

Remember that software updates, system maintenance, and plugin management are key to ensuring a seamless experience with Adobe After Effects. Happy editing!