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How to Fix Microsoft Designer Layout and Design Suggestions Disappeared
Question details
The user is experiencing an issue where the right-side pane generating layout and design options in Microsoft Designer has unexpectedly disappeared.
- Product
- Microsoft Designer
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Working on a multipage design project and attempting to get automated layouts.
- Observed behavior
- Prompts can still be entered in the tool, but the right-side pane showing design and layout placement suggestions is no longer visible.
Before modifying system settings, simply try refreshing your browser window or restarting the Designer application, as temporary cloud connection hiccups can often hide the design suggestions pane.
Reset Network and Browser Settings
Network connectivity issues or corrupted browser settings can prevent Microsoft Designer from communicating with the cloud to fetch layout suggestions.
Since Microsoft Designer relies heavily on cloud servers to generate layout options via AI, any disruption in DNS resolving or proxy settings can block the right-side pane from populating. Resetting your network parameters usually restores this functionality.
Disconnect from your current Wi-Fi or wired network and connect to a different network or a mobile hotspot to rule out local ISP blocking.
Open the Command Prompt on your computer as an administrator, type 'ipconfig /flushdns', and then press Enter to clear your DNS cache.
Search for 'Internet Options' in your Windows Start menu, navigate to the 'Connections' tab, click 'LAN settings', and ensure the 'Automatically detect settings' box is checked.
If you are using a web browser to access Designer, go to your browser's Settings menu, search for 'Reset settings', and restore them to their original defaults to clear any corrupted configurations.
Close your browser or app completely, reopen Microsoft Designer, and attempt to create a multipage project to see if the layout suggestions return.
Design Professional Presentations with WPS Office
If you continue experiencing issues with Microsoft Designer, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative with powerful built-in presentation templates and a familiar user interface for a seamless migration.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download and install the free office suite.
- 2. Open WPS Presentation: Launch WPS Office and click on 'Presentation' to start a new slideshow project.
- 3. Apply Built-in Templates: Browse the 'Design' tab or template library to instantly apply professional layouts to your multipage project without needing constant cloud-based AI generation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the right-side pane in Microsoft Designer disappear?
It is often caused by a temporary network glitch, browser cache issues, or switching to a specific multipage project view that might intentionally hide the design pane by default while loading.
Does Microsoft Designer require a constant internet connection?
Yes, Microsoft Designer relies heavily on cloud-based AI servers to generate its design and layout suggestions. Unstable internet or DNS configuration issues can completely prevent the suggestions pane from loading properly.
How do I flush my DNS to fix connectivity issues?
Press the Windows key, type 'cmd', right-click Command Prompt, and select 'Run as administrator'. Type 'ipconfig /flushdns' and press Enter to clear the cache, which often resolves hidden network routing problems.
