How to Fix InDesign CS5 Error Code 3? [5 Easy Fixes]

Are you encountering InDesign File Corruption Error Code 3 while trying to open Adobe Indesign Cs5, looking at how to fix error code 3 in Indesign?

If your answer is YES then you are at the right place, this blog contains complete information to solve the InDesign error code 3 without the need of any professional knowledge.

Many Indesign users are getting the error message on their screen and reporting on the forum threads:

Error 3: Adobe InDesign has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience.

Well, this is a very irritating problem and occurs without the warning sign it comes up anytime while running the Adobe InDesign.

Let describe it best with the user experience.

Hi all,

Yesterday I was working on that file and everything is okay I even export it the PDF and I saved it. Today when I open the file I got that error and the Indesign just crashed and show that “The file is damaged (Error Code:3).

Have anyone experienced this before.

I’ll submit the crash report for more detail.

Originally Posted on Adobe Support Community

Despite this, the error message appears with the dialogue box and keeps popping up again and again, if not addressed.

There are chances of file deletion or even the files appearing. And this symptom is mostly due to virus infection. Moreover, there are many other reasons as well.

Causes of InDesign Error Code 3

• Due to insufficient hard drive space, you may encounter InDesign Error Code 3.
• Due to incompatible or outdated system BIOS.
• Mismatched video adapter drivers.
• Due to the damaged device driver or a system service.
• Damaged Windows registry from a recent software change.

Some Common Error Related to Adobe Indesign Cs5 Error Code 3

• “Error 3” occurs and crashes the active program window.
• Your computer frequently crashes with Error 3 when executing the same application.
• “Adobe Indesign Cs5 Error Code 3” is appearing.
• Windows runs slowly and responds very slowly to mouse or keyboard input.
• Your system sometimes “freezes” for a few seconds at a time.

The InDesign Error Code 3 error message can appear any time such as during program installation, while executing Adobe InDesign, during Windows startup or shutdown, and more.

So, if you are the one dealing with the error code 3 Adobe InDesign, then follow the fixes given one by one:

How Do I Fix InDesign File is Damaged Error Code 3?

Fix 1 – Disable the Programs Running in the Background

There are many programs that run in the background and cause interruption as well as sometimes it conflict with each other.

So, here it is suggested to disable the conflicting programs. Follow the steps given to do so:

• Press Ctrl + Alt + Del keys > to open Task Manager. And here you can see the list of the program running
• Now go to the Processes tab > right-click on each program and click the End Process option to disable it.
• Make sure to check if the error code 3 in Adobe InDesign appears or not after disabling a program

And as you recognize the conflicting program, make sure to uninstall the particular application and restart your PC.

Fix 2 – Run Disk Cleanup

As said above you may be experiencing the InDesign error code 3 due to insufficient hard drive space. So here follow the steps to run disk cleanup to free up hard drive space.

Follow the steps to do so:

• Go to the start button and in search box type Disk Cleanup > press the enter key
• Now choose Disk Cleanup > select system partition (where the OS is installed, commonly C:\).
• And click Clean up system files option > and select the system partition again.
• Next check the boxes next to Temporary files and Temporary Windows Installation files > click OK.
• As the process is finished > restart your PC.

Now check if the error code 3 Adobe InDesign CS5 is fixed or not, or else head to the next solution.

Fix 3 – Reinstall Graphics Driver

Many times due to the bad graphics driver users start encountering errors and issues while running the installed applications.

So here try reinstalling the drivers, follow the steps to do so:

• Go to the start button and in search box type device manager > now click on Device Manager to open it and > locate the graphics driver
• Next right-click the video card driver > click uninstall
• Restart your system

Fix 4 – Run InDesign in Safe Mode

If you are running InDesign on Mac then follow the steps given:

• In order to start Mac in Safe Mode,> restart your Mac system > as the chimes sound comes you must press the Shift key
• Now as the Apple logo display displays the Apple logo > you run the Mac in safe mode, the word safe Boot will appear.

But if you are running InDesign in Windows then visit the article to boot your Windows system in safe mode.

Fix 5 – Run Antivirus Scan

If still the InDesign file damaged error code 3 appears then you need to scan your system with the good antivirus program.

As is already mentioned the virus infection in your system can damage the InDesign file and it starts throwing error like InDesign error code 3, InDesign error code 5, and others.

So, install a good antivirus program on your PC/laptop and perform a deep scan and once the scanning process is done, try running InDesign file and check if the error code 3 appears or not

Conclusion:

So, this is all about the InDesign file is damaged error code 3. 

InDesign CS5 Error Code 3 is very frustrating and appears unexpectedly while working on the InDesign application. Therefore it is needed to be fixed as soon as possible.

So, here it tried my best to list down the best possible solutions to fix error code 3 InDesign. Now it’s your turn to follow the solutions given accordingly to fix Adobe InDesign error code 3.

Hope the article works for you and now you are able to use the InDesign file with ease.

Good Luck..!