Forum Discussion
Storyline is extremely slow
I’m currently working on several projects in Storyline, and I’ve noticed a significant slowdown when editing, saving, or creating content. At times, the performance becomes so poor that I have to wait up to a minute just to work with audio files.
I’m working locally, and I’ve already disabled OneDrive just in case it was affecting performance.
Is there anything else I can do to improve this?
I’m getting quite desperate 😥!
Hello everyone!
Happy to share that we've just released a new update for Storyline 360!
In Update 129, we've included essential fixes and new features. We've released a fix for:
- Lines and arrows in imported PowerPoint slides didn’t display correctly.
Launch the Articulate 360 desktop app on your computer to take advantage of this update, and click the Update button next to Storyline 360. You’ll find our step-by-step instructions here.
Please let me know if you need additional help.
16 Replies
Are you on the latest version? That has had some performance improvements added.
Do you have any missing fonts?Yes, I am working with the latest version, and I don't have any font missing.
- Before Xmas we edited this project, with TTS audios, without problem. Not to fast 😉but working properly.
- We have reopened the same file and now we are waiting for ages just to do a little change.
Hi JuditRdm,
Thanks for reaching out!
I've opened a support case on your behalf so our Support Engineers can dig a bit deeper into what's going on. They'll be in touch shortly via email!
Maybe better to raise a support case, are you on a Mac, I am on a Mac and the first time I access a textbox I have to wait 20 seconds a known issue with M3 processors
I agree. Storyline has been extremely slow for the last few weeks. I have the latest version and a very powerful computer (Windows) that allows me to work with Adobe After Effects, Premiere Pro, and Illustrator at the same time without any issues. I also tried to move my project from OneDrive to a hard drive, but it didn't help. Every time I try to save changes or close the project, I have to wait for a few minutes. 😭
Hi Irina_Welsh,
I've opened a case with our Support team so they can troubleshoot. They'll be in touch shortly via email. Thanks so much for reporting this behavior. We appreciate your patience as we look into it further!
It is a Windows PC working perfectly for Adobe applications.
Hi all, I am facing the same problems (still, even if it is 2 months later). Storyline is extremely sluggish. I have imported powerpoints with animated drawings. Making any changes to these (even only changing font size) takes ages. I use the same computer as half a year ago (Windows), so nothing changed in terms of hardware. And back then Storyline was fast enough. I use the latest Storyline version. I have replaced all missing fonts.
Hi TanjaAcker,
Thanks for sharing that context. I'm sorry to hear Storyline has become so sluggish, especially when you're making simple edits.
Since you're already using the latest version, working on Windows, and have replaced any missing fonts, here are a couple of additional things to try:
- Make sure you're working from a local drive rather than a network location or synced folder, such as OneDrive.
- Try importing a few of the affected PowerPoint slides into a new Storyline file to see if you notice the same slowdown. This can help determine whether the behavior is specific to the project or more general.
If the issue persists after trying these steps, we'd be happy to take a closer look. Please reach out to our Support team here, and we'll help investigate what's causing the slowdown.
Hi Eric,
Thanks for reaching out.
I was working from a local drive anyway.
I have tried your suggestion and imported part of the slides into a new project. Still the same slow behaviour.
As I have read several complaints, that Storyline has gotten very slow in the last few weeks or months, I had the impression, that this is a more common problem...
Hello TanjaAcker,
Thanks for trying those steps and for getting back to us.
Since you're seeing the same sluggish behavior even in a new Storyline project, I'd like our talented Support Engineers to take a closer look at your specific setup.
I've opened a support case on your behalf so we can continue troubleshooting. We'll be in touch shortly via email. You're in excellent hands! We appreciate your patience.
I'm recently experiencing sluggishness in the storyline UI. Having to wait a few beats on most interactions. There was a single movie in the project which I have now deleted as I know these can slow the program down - also removed 10 or so of the largest graphics but I always generally work with optimised imports anyway as am well aware of these 'gotcha's' with the program. Storyline file size is 53 MB. Has the AI integration placed a load of extra processing drain on the program as I've only recently had this enabled and it potentially does seem somewhat co-incident? Is there anything I can disable or change to make things more snappy and responsive? and yes - working on local drive (No onedrive, no powerpoint imports, no missing fonts). Is this a common/generic problem that is reasonably widespread? Storyline has never been at the sharp end of responsiveness but there is generally more sluggishness now than I have been used to seeing. Appreciate any insights.
Hi PeterMoore1,
Thanks for the detailed rundown of what you're experiencing!
You’ve already covered most of the usual suspects. I'm curious if you're using a Mac or a PC, and which version of Storyline 360 are you running? Please make sure you’re on the latest update.
Two things to try:
- Restart your computer. Machines left running for a long time can get into a strange state that slows applications down.
- Test with a new file. If it’s still sluggish after a restart, create a brand new file, save it to your Desktop, and repeat your usual steps. If the new file is snappy, the issue is tied to something in the original project. If it’s also slow, we’ll look at your machine or installation next.
As for the AI features, I’m not aware of them adding background processing during normal editing, but the new-file test will help us rule it out. I’m also not aware of a widespread slowdown, so the details above will help us work out whether this is specific to your setup or project!
Hi Kelly - thanks for responding. My computer gets restarted every day, so no problem with that.. Am also on the most recent version of Storyline. Updated this morning. Testing with a new blank file may not be that useful as a troubleshooting option. There's no content in a new file so there's only minimal processing load for the program to deal with. So when opening a new file or a much earlier (and smaller) version of the project file I'm currently working on - the program is much more responsive. It's when the file is larger, there are more scenes and more screens. Then the sluggishness sets in. I'm reluctant to go hunting for a computer related issue unless the techs at Articulate have a known specific Windows issue that can cause Storyline to become sluggish. At this point - It looks much more like Storyline is not able to maintain its performance as a project is developed over time. I'm not experiencing performance degradation on any other applications with this computer.
Hello everyone!
Happy to share that we've just released a new update for Storyline 360!
In Update 129, we've included essential fixes and new features. We've released a fix for:
- Lines and arrows in imported PowerPoint slides didn’t display correctly.
Launch the Articulate 360 desktop app on your computer to take advantage of this update, and click the Update button next to Storyline 360. You’ll find our step-by-step instructions here.
Please let me know if you need additional help.
