CorelDRAW is Slow or Hangs During Copy/Paste, Export, and Other Tasks

Symptoms

CorelDRAW experiences significant performance lag, hanging, or freezing for 30 seconds or more when performing common tasks. These tasks can include, but are not limited to:

• Copying and pasting objects

• Exporting files to different formats (e.g., PDF, JPG)

• Creating a new document

• Opening or closing files

The application may become unresponsive and show a loading spinner before eventually completing the task. The issue occurs with both complex and simple files.

Cause

The root cause is related to the Windows Default Printer setting. CorelDRAW maintains constant communication with the default printer driver to gather information about page dimensions, resolution, and color profiles.

The 30-second lag is the sound of CorelDRAW patiently waiting for an answer to those questions, but the printer is either not answering or is answering very, very slowly. Here are the most common reasons why:

• Network Issues (The #1 Culprit): Most often, the default printer is a network printer (connected via Wi-Fi or an office network). If that printer is in a deep sleep mode, turned off, or has a weak network connection, your computer sends a request out into the void. Windows and CorelDRAW will wait for a set amount of time (a "timeout period," which can be 30 seconds or more) before giving up. During that wait, the application is frozen.

• Corrupt or Buggy Driver: The printer's software on the computer (the driver) could be corrupted, outdated, or just poorly written. When CorelDRAW asks it a question, the driver might crash in the background, take a long time to process the request, or get stuck in a loop.

• Jammed Print Spooler: The Windows service that manages all print jobs (the Print Spooler) could be clogged with old, failed print jobs. Any new request from CorelDRAW gets stuck in that digital traffic jam. This can typically be fixed by clearing the spooler.

• Bi-directional Communication Failure: Modern printers send status updates back to the computer (like ink levels, paper status, etc.). If this feature is enabled but not working correctly, the driver might hang while waiting for a status update that never arrives.

Resolution

The most effective resolution is to change the Windows Default Printer to a local, virtual printer that is always available and responds instantly.

1. Press the Windows Key + R, type control printers, and press Enter.

2. In the "Printers & scanners" list, find and select Microsoft Print to PDF.

3. Click the "Set as default" button.

4. Relaunch CorelDRAW to confirm the performance issue is resolved.

Note: When printing a physical document, the user will need to manually select their desired hardware printer from the print dialog inside CorelDRAW. The system default will remain "Microsoft Print to PDF," ensuring the application starts and runs quickly.