I've been dealing with constant crashes on my PC while using After Effects for three years now. I bought this setup back in 2023 with Windows 11 Pro. Initially, everything ran smoothly, but as I started taking on more demanding projects, the crashes became frequent. I've encountered around 100 different errors since upgrading in 2026, including over 30 blue screens of death (BSOD).
One of the errors I've noticed seems to relate to corrupt fonts, which I believe is indicated by error 83::3. I'm planning to perform a clean install today, hoping it resolves that. My editing workflow involves editing footage, adding music, and creating compositions in After Effects for motion graphics and VFX. I usually preview in quarter resolution and switch to full resolution only to check the final output.
Unfortunately, the person who sold me the PC hasn't been helpful—it feels like they couldn't care less about my issues regarding the software. I also contacted Windows support about the BSOD, and their recommendation was a clean install after running some diagnostics that showed nothing appeared corrupted.
When I first started editing, I used not-so-legit versions of Adobe, but once I decided to make this a career, I purchased a proper license. I've been maintaining the same preferences in Adobe software since 2023. Now, I'm apprehensive that if the clean install doesn't work, I might seriously have to reconsider my career in this field. I'm reaching out for any advice on what I could be doing wrong or any tips that could help. I've shared my PC specs and details about the errors I've faced—hopefully, they can provide more insight!
2 Answers
Also, it could be worth checking if your hardware, especially the CPU, is up to par. I've heard that some Intel CPUs have microcode issues that can lead to crashes. Make sure you're running the latest firmware and consider checking the hardware compatibility with After Effects. It can sometimes be a bit of trial and error, but you should get to the bottom of this!
It sounds like you're having a really tough time with your setup! Given the recurring BSODs and crashes, I'd recommend starting with a complete backup of all your important files. Then, yeah, absolutely do the clean install of Windows 11 as you planned. After that, make sure to install all your drivers and updates before even touching After Effects. Sometimes reinstalling can clear any lingering issues that might be causing conflicts. Good luck!
Thanks for the advice! I'll definitely make backups before the clean install.
Yeah, someone mentioned that to me too! I'll check my CPU against the latest updates.