Adobe Media Encoder stuck on loading screen: reset preferences & clear cache

Overview

When Adobe Media Encoder gets stuck on the loading screen, it's typically due to corrupted preference files, media cache conflicts, or plugin and driver issues. This guide provides step-by-step solutions to fix Adobe Media Encoder stuck on loading screen problems.

Table of Contents

• Comparison Table
• Solution Steps
• Q&A
• Final Checklist
• FAQ

Common Causes

Corrupted Preferences: Unexpected crashes or interrupted updates can damage configuration files, causing the app to freeze during startup.

Media Cache Conflicts: Old index files or conform files can cause the loading process to hang indefinitely.

Plugin and Driver Conflicts: Third-party codecs, plugins, or specific GPU driver combinations have been reported to cause the splash screen to freeze.

Adobe Media Encoder frozen on loading screen while loading a specific plugin
Image source: Adobe HelpX

Common Scenarios

This issue occurs most frequently in environments where updates have been postponed for extended periods or when files are frequently moved between projects. If your cache path is set to an external or network drive, initial indexing can be significantly delayed.

Comparison Table

Cause	Description	Solution	Pro Tip
Corrupted Preferences	Configuration file integrity compromised by previous crashes or interruptions	Hold Shift during startup to reset preferences	Check impact on queues and presets before resetting
Media Cache Conflicts	Loading delays caused by outdated index and conform files	Clean cache via Preferences > Media Cache or manually delete cache folder	Keep cache path on local SSD
Plugin Conflicts	Conflicts with third-party MediaCore plugins	Temporarily move plugins folder and relaunch	Restore plugins one by one to identify the culprit
GPU/Hardware Encoding	Compatibility issues with specific driver versions	Update both driver and AME to latest versions	Switch to software encoding mode if necessary
Installation File Mismatch	Version discrepancy between app and dependent components	Reinstall latest version via Creative Cloud	Update bundled apps simultaneously

Solution Steps

1. Force Quit: Use Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (Mac) to terminate AME and all Adobe background processes.
2. Restart: Reboot your system to release locked handles and cache files.
3. Reset Preferences: Hold Shift while launching the app and apply the Reset option when prompted.
4. Clean Media Cache: If the app launches successfully, go to Preferences > Media Cache and clean. If it won't launch, locate the cache folder manually and delete it.
5. Check Plugins Folder: Temporarily move the MediaCore folder to a different location and relaunch.
6. Update Drivers and App: Update both GPU drivers and AME to their latest versions.
7. Review Logs: Check encoding and system logs to identify crash points.
8. Reinstall: Uninstall via Creative Cloud and perform a clean installation of the latest version.

Adobe Media Encoder Preferences > Media showing Media Cache location and Clean button
Image source: Adobe HelpX

3 Things to Verify Before Proceeding

• Confirm cache path is set to a local SSD
• Ensure external or network drives are disconnected
• Check for recently installed third-party plugins

Special Cases & Workarounds

On corporate or educational PCs with restricted user folder access, we recommend creating a new local user profile and installing AME in isolation for testing. This issue frequently occurs in environments where network policies restrict access to cache or settings folders.

Quick Fix Q&A

Reset option dialog not appearing?

Hold the Shift key immediately after launching. If this doesn't work, log out of the CC desktop app, log back in, and try again.

Will cleaning the cache alone solve the issue?

In many cases, yes. However, combining it with a preference reset significantly reduces the chance of recurrence.

Where is the plugins folder located?

Look for the MediaCore folder in the common plugin path for your OS. Temporarily move it, then restore plugins one at a time to test.

Final Checklist

• 5-step summary: Restart → Reset → Clean Cache → Check Plugins → Update
• Quick fix: Keep cache path on local SSD
• Prevent recurrence: Make quarterly cache cleaning a habit
• If hardware encoding errors are suspected, update both driver and AME simultaneously
• If all else fails, check logs before reinstalling

FAQ

What gets deleted when I reset preferences?

Workspace layouts, preset groups, watch folders, and queues are reset to defaults. User presets are ungrouped but preserved.

Can GPU issues cause this freeze?

Yes, specific driver versions have been reported to cause issues. We recommend updating to the latest Studio drivers alongside AME.

How do I identify conflicting plugins?

Empty the MediaCore folder, confirm normal launch, then restore plugins individually while testing for the issue.

References

Reset Options and Preference Restoration

Adobe Official Guide — Reset preferences and settings
Instructions on how to invoke the Reset option using the Shift key during startup and details on what gets reset.

Media Cache Management

Adobe Official Guide — Managing the media cache database
Guide on verifying and cleaning the cache path in Preferences, plus manual deletion procedures.