GIMP Keeps Crashing or Freezing

How to fix it

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

1. 1. Install the latest 3.2.x release

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   1. GIMP 3.0 and early 3.2 releases fixed many crashes in point releases
   2. Check Help > About GIMP for your version and compare with gimp.org/downloads
   Did this fix it? Yes No

2. 2. Check memory and the swap folder

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   1. Open Edit > Preferences > System Resources
   2. Lower undo levels and make sure the swap folder is on a drive with plenty of free space
   3. Close other heavy apps; reduce image size via Image > Scale Image if it is huge
   Did this fix it? Yes No

3. 3. Rule out plug-ins and profile damage

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   1. Move plug-ins out of your profile plug-ins folder and relaunch
   2. If the crash stops, add them back one at a time
   3. Close GIMP, then rename your GIMP 3.0 profile folder: Windows %APPDATA%\GIMP\3.0, macOS ~/Library/Application Support/GIMP/3.0, Linux ~/.config/GIMP/3.0 (Flatpak: ~/.var/app/org.gimp.GIMP/config/GIMP/3.0) to test a clean profile
   Did this fix it? Yes No

4. 4. Send a crash report

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   1. GIMP offers a debug dialog after a crash; copy the backtrace
   2. Post it on gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/gimp/-/issues with your OS and version
   Did this fix it? Yes No

Symptoms

GIMP closes without warning while loading an image, using a filter or the text tool, or freezes with a spinning cursor.

Why it happens

• Image larger than available RAM and swap space
• Third-party plug-in (for example an old G'MIC build)
• Bugs in specific 3.0.x/3.2.x releases
• Graphics driver or OpenCL problems

This guide also covers

• gimp crashes
• gimp keeps crashing
• gimp 3 crash
• gimp freezing

The same problem in other apps

All crashes, freezes & blank screens guides →

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• Photoshop Keeps Crashing or Won't Open (Adobe Photoshop)
• Pixelmator Pro Keeps Crashing or Quitting Unexpectedly (Pixelmator Pro)

Other GIMP errors

• GIMP Not Opening or Won't Start
• GIMP Brush or Paintbrush Not Working
• GIMP Text Tool Not Working or Font Resets
• GIMP Fonts Not Showing Up
• GIMP 3 Plugins Not Working or Missing
• How to Export as PNG or JPG in GIMP (Save Not Working)
• Why Is GIMP So Slow or Laggy?
• GIMP Can't Open HEIC, WebP or RAW Files