After Effects Error: Crash / Can't Continue (GPU or Graphics Driver Issue)

Q: How do I fix "After Effects Error: Crash / Can't Continue (GPU or Graphics Driver Issue)"?

1. Clean-install the right driver: Download the latest NVIDIA Studio driver (or roll back one or two versions) Use Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) in safe mode to wipe the old driver Install the driver and reinstall After Effects if needed 2. Test without plugins and GPU: Start AE in Safe Mode with third-party plugins disabled File > Project Settings > Video Rendering and Effects > Mercury Software Only If the crash stops, re-enable plugins one by one 3. Force the right GPU: On Windows laptops, set AE's graphics preference to Power Saving or High Performance in Settings > System > Display > Graphics Relaunch After Effects Enable logging via Help > Enable Logging and attach the log when reporting to Adobe

Ongoing Windows, macOS Updated November 14, 2026Based on 5 user reportsHow we research

Quick answer

Most crashes trace to the GPU driver, plugins or GPU memory. Clean-install a Studio driver with DDU, test in safe mode without third-party plugins, and try switching GPU acceleration off.

Most likely fix: Clean-install the right driver

How to fix it

Try these in order — the most common fix is first.

1. Clean-install the right driver
1. Download the latest NVIDIA Studio driver (or roll back one or two versions)
2. Use Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) in safe mode to wipe the old driver
3. Install the driver and reinstall After Effects if needed
Did this fix it?
2. Test without plugins and GPU
1. Start AE in Safe Mode with third-party plugins disabled
2. File > Project Settings > Video Rendering and Effects > Mercury Software Only
3. If the crash stops, re-enable plugins one by one
Did this fix it?
3. Force the right GPU
1. On Windows laptops, set AE's graphics preference to Power Saving or High Performance in Settings > System > Display > Graphics
2. Relaunch After Effects
3. Enable logging via Help > Enable Logging and attach the log when reporting to Adobe
Did this fix it?

Symptoms

AE closes with 'After Effects error: Crash in progress', 'can't continue: encountered a GPU or graphics driver issue', or white screen on new projects.

Why it happens

Faulty or mismatched GPU driver
GPU memory overloaded by effects or plugins
Third-party plugin conflicts
Hybrid-GPU laptops using the wrong GPU
New hardware (e.g. RTX 50 series) on an older AE build

This guide also covers

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