Try or ByeTry or Bye

Sublime Text Crashing or Misbehaving: Use Safe Mode

Share
Workaround available Windows, macOS, Linux Updated November 14, 2026Based on 3 user reportsHow we research

Quick answer

Sublime Text 4 safe mode starts with all customizations disabled (fresh packages and settings, license copied), so you can tell whether a package or setting causes the problem.

Most likely fix: Start safe mode (fully quit Sublime Text first)

How to fix it

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

  1. 1. Start safe mode (fully quit Sublime Text first)

    1. Windows: hold Shift+Alt while starting, or run subl --safe-mode
    2. macOS: hold Option while starting, or run subl --safe-mode
    3. Linux: run subl --safe-mode
    Did this fix it?

  2. 2. Interpret and reset

    1. If the problem disappears, a package or setting is the cause; safe mode data dir is wiped at each start so do not keep files there
    2. To reset everything: exit, move the data directory (e.g. ~/Library/Application Support/Sublime Text, %APPDATA%\Sublime Text, ~/.config/sublime-text) to a backup, then start again
    Did this fix it?

Symptoms

Sublime Text freezes, crashes, is slow or shows odd behavior after installing packages or changing settings.

Why it happens

  • A third-party package misbehaving
  • Broken user settings or key bindings
  • Corrupt session data

This guide also covers

  • sublime text safe mode
  • sublime text keeps crashing
  • reset sublime text to default

Still not working?

If Sublime Text keeps failing, you're not alone. See every Sublime Text problem users report or the alternatives people switch to.

Have an app idea? Our small team builds any software: web and mobile apps, games, desktop, AI tools. Price agreed together.

Talk to us
Fixed it? Share this guide

The same problem in other apps

All crashes, freezes & blank screens guides →

Other Sublime Text errors

All 10 Sublime Text errors and fixes →