Error loading plugins in Illustrator [Fix]

Does the Error loading plugins message pop up when starting Adobe Illustrator? Some Illustrator users have experienced this error when opening the app. The message is followed by a list of problematic plugins.

The error indicates issues with installed plugins. However, there can be other reasons for the error like broken Visual C++ DLL files and corrupted Preferences files. If you are facing this error, we will help you fix it in this post, So, check out below.

Error loading plugins in Illustrator

If you get the “Error loading plugins” error message when trying to launch Adobe Illustrator, here are the fixes you can use:

1. Run Illustrator as an administrator.
2. Launch Illustrator in safe mode.
3. Repair or reinstall Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable.
4. Recreate Illustrator preferences.
5. Update external plugins.

1] Run Illustrator as an administrator

The first thing you should do to fix this error is to try running Adobe Illustrator as an administrator and then see if the app opens correctly. Here are the steps to do that:

• First, right-click on the Adobe Illustrator desktop icon.
• From the context menu, choose the Run as administrator option and check if the error has stopped now.

You can also log into your computer with an administrator account or create an administrator account and then use Illustrator to see if the error is fixed.

Read: Fix Illustrator cannot open or read files.

2] Launch Illustrator in safe mode

If the error persists even after running the program as an administrator, run Illustrator in safe mode. Safe mode allows you to troubleshoot crash errors and other issues that occur while opening Adobe Illustrator. It prevents Illustrator from loading a corrupted file or plugin that might be causing the error. So, start Illustrator in safe mode and see if the error is fixed. Here’s how:

If Illustrator crashes, choose to relaunch Illustrator. Now, click on the Run Diagnostics button in the next prompt and let Illustrator identify the error-causing files. Once done, check for the recommended tips and follow them to fix the error.

See: Illustrator keeps crashing, freezing, closing, lagging, or is not responding.

3] Repair or reinstall Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable

The error might also be triggered due to the corrupted Visual C++ Redistributable package. Hence, if the scenario is applicable, repair the Visual C++ package and check if the error has stopped now. Here are the steps to do so:

• First, open the Settings app using Win+I and go to the Apps tab.
• Now, click on the Installed apps option.
• Next, press the three-dot menu button present next to the latest version of Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable and choose the Modify option.
• After that, click on the Repair button and follow the promoted instructions to complete the process.
• Finally, try launching Illustrator and see if the error is resolved.

If repairing doesn’t work, reinstall Visual C++ on your PC. You can uninstall it and then download the latest version of the Visual C++ Redistributable package. And then, install it again on your PC to check if the error is fixed.

Read: Illustrator not printing properly.

4] Recreate Illustrator preferences

Corrupted Illustrator preferences can be another reason why you keep getting the “Error loading plugins” message when starting Illustrator. So, recreate the Illustrator preferences and check if the error is resolved.

Here are the steps to do that:

First, open the Run command box using Win+R and enter the following address in the Open field:

%AppData%\Adobe\

In the above location, rename the Adobe Illustrator folder to Adobe Illustrator.old.

Similarly, rename the “Adobe Illustrator <version> Settings” folder to “Adobe Illustrator <version> Settings.old.”

Once done, close the File Explorer and restart Illustrator to let it recreate preferences folders. See if the error is fixed.

Read: How to fix Font problems in Illustrator?

5] Update external plugins

If you manage to open Illustrator but it crashes with this Error loading plugins message, restart the app and try updating your plugins to their latest versions. You can also delete your plugins from the Plugin folder in Illustrator’s installation location and then try opening the app to check if the error is fixed. You can reinstall the latest version of the plugins later.

How do I manually install Illustrator plugins?

To install plugins in Adobe Illustrator, here are the steps to follow:

• First, open the Creative Cloud desktop app and move to the Stock & Marketplace tab.
• Now, choose the Plugins section.
• Next, search for the desired plugin for Illustrator and then press the Get button next to it.

Where do I find my plugins for Illustrator?

On Windows, you can find Illustrator plugins at the below location:

C:\Program files\Adobe Illustrator (version number)\Plug-ins\Extensions

If you are on Mac, the plugins are stored at the below location:

Applications\Adobe Illustrator <version number>\Plug-ins

Now read: Fix Illustrator DLL missing errors on Windows.