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Illustrator GPU Performance Error and "Not Enough GPU Memory"

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Workaround available Windows, macOS Updated November 13, 2026Based on 3 user reportsHow we research

Quick answer

Illustrator may switch to CPU or show a GPU memory error when the graphics driver is outdated or the GPU has little video memory. Update the driver, check Preferences > Performance, and update Illustrator.

Most likely fix: Update the graphics driver

How to fix it

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

  1. 1. Update the graphics driver

    1. Download the newest driver from the NVIDIA, AMD or Intel site rather than relying on Windows Update
    2. Restart the computer and launch Illustrator again
    Did this fix it?

  2. 2. Check GPU Performance settings

    1. Edit > Preferences > Performance (Illustrator > Settings > Performance on Mac)
    2. Make sure GPU Performance is on for your card, and try turning Animated Zoom off
    3. If errors continue, switch GPU Performance off and use View > CPU Preview to keep working
    Did this fix it?

  3. 3. Update Illustrator

    1. Install the latest build from Creative Cloud desktop; one user's GPU memory error went away after updating Illustrator and drivers
    2. If a new build broke it, install the previous version via Other versions
    Did this fix it?

  4. 4. Report it with diagnostics

    1. Adobe's community team asks for the AiSniffer file from your Illustrator settings folder and a msinfo32 report to investigate
    Did this fix it?

Symptoms

A "not enough GPU memory" or display error when opening a document, or Illustrator forcing CPU preview even though GPU Performance is switched on.

Why it happens

  • Outdated or generic graphics driver, often installed automatically by Windows
  • Old or integrated GPU with about 1 GB video memory
  • A regression in a specific Illustrator 30.x build
  • Very large artboards or zoom levels

This guide also covers

  • illustrator gpu memory error
  • illustrator gpu performance
  • illustrator not enough gpu memory
  • illustrator gpu preview not working
  • illustrator cpu preview

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