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Complete step-by-step solutions for when Adobe Premiere Pro won't launch or gets stuck on the startup screen in Windows 11.
- GPU Drivers: Install the latest NVIDIA Studio Driver (not Game Ready). Adobe explicitly recommends keeping Studio drivers up to date for Premiere Pro.
- Creative Cloud: Force-restart the desktop app with Ctrl+Alt+R → Try Repair from the Creative Cloud Uninstaller → If needed, do a clean reinstall with the Creative Cloud Cleaner Tool.
- Reset Options at Startup: Alt=Reset preferences / Shift=Clear plugin loading cache / Ctrl+3=Disable third-party video plugins.
- Media Cache: Still slow or stuck? Manually clear cache at
%AppData%\Adobe\Common (Windows).
Table of Contents
1. Common Causes
Premiere Pro failing to launch on Windows 11 is typically caused by graphics driver conflicts, Adobe Creative Cloud sync issues, or corrupted preference files. This is especially common after recent Windows updates when outdated drivers remain installed.
2. GPU Driver & Compatibility Settings
Start with your GPU driver. For NVIDIA cards, use the latest Studio Driver for Premiere Pro stability and performance. Avoid old version-specific minimums; keeping the Studio branch current is the reliable fix path on Windows 11.
Then check Windows permissions: right-click the Premiere Pro shortcut (or Adobe Premiere Pro.exe) →
Properties → Compatibility tab → enable Run this program as an administrator
.
This sometimes resolves launch blocks caused by permission conflicts.
3. Adobe Creative Cloud Troubleshooting
Premiere Pro doesn't run independently—it works in conjunction with the Creative Cloud app. If Creative Cloud is outdated or has corrupted cache files, it can prevent Premiere Pro from launching.
- Force Restart: Use Ctrl+Alt+R to restart the Creative Cloud desktop app
- Repair: If problems persist after restart, use the Repair option from the Creative Cloud Uninstaller
- Clean Reinstall: For persistent issues, use the Creative Cloud Cleaner Tool to completely remove and reinstall
4. Reset Preferences & Settings
If Premiere Pro crashes immediately after launching, your preference files may be corrupted. Starting with Premiere Pro 25.2+, you can use these "Reset options" keyboard shortcuts during startup:
- Alt (Windows) / Option (Mac): Reset Preferences
- Shift: Clear Plugin Loading Cache
- Ctrl+3: Disable Third-Party Video Plugins
If issues continue after resetting, manually delete the Documents/Adobe/Premiere Pro/[Version] folder and restart the application.
Additionally, an abnormally large media cache can cause delayed startup or freezing.
Manual cleanup path (Windows): Delete cache items in the %AppData%\Adobe\Common folder and try again.
Note on “Software Only” rendering (25.2+): In Premiere Pro 25.2 and later, the permanent Software Only renderer option was removed from Project Settings. If you need to test without GPU rendering, hold Shift while launching and select Use Software Rendering only (one-time only). As of 25.4+, this temporary switch is no longer supported.
5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. Premiere Pro suddenly stopped working after a Windows 11 update. Why?
A. This is likely a driver compatibility issue. Update to the latest NVIDIA Studio Driver (not Game Ready) to ensure compatibility.
Q2. The program launches but takes forever to load.
A. This usually indicates an oversized cache folder. Clear the media cache at %AppData%\Adobe\Common or use the startup Reset options to clear the cache.
Q3. Can I still use “Software Only” mode like before?
A. In 25.2+, the permanent Software Only renderer option was removed. You could temporarily switch by holding Shift at launch and choosing Use Software Rendering only (one-time only),
but note that 25.4+ no longer supports this temporary switch. Keep your GPU drivers up to date and use the default GPU renderer unless troubleshooting.
Q4. Will a simple reinstall fix the problem?
A. Rather than just reinstalling, it's more effective to force restart Creative Cloud (Ctrl+Alt+R) → Use Repair → Clean with Cleaner Tool before reinstalling.
Q5. Where can I get help if nothing works?
A. Check the official Adobe forums and support center (Adobe Support) for additional troubleshooting solutions.
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