GIMP won't start

Angela_1966 · **Joined:** Oct 28, 2025 **Posts:** 1

GIMP Version: 3.0.6-1
Operating System: Windows
OS Version: 64
GIMP Experience: Intermediate Level

List any ERROR messages you received:
GIMP Startup Not responding

GIMP Startup Not Responding

Today I updated from 3.04 to 3.0.6-1. GIMP won't finish the uploading of the program due to the above message error which it freezes at. It freezes at Initialization Babl Fishes . I think my 3.04 version was wiped out when I removed and the reinstalled 3.0.6-1. any help would be very much appreciated.

Tas_mania · **Joined:** Nov 04, 2015 **Posts:** 1460

I still use Gimp 2.10.38 because I want to get work done and I'm too lazy to learn new junk that is presented as progress. If 1966 is your birth year then you are the 'year of the fire horse'. That is what next year is going to be and I'm looking forward to it.

AdmFubar · **Joined:** Sep 26, 2015 **Posts:** 74

Angela_1966 wrote:

GIMP Version: 3.0.6-1
Operating System: Windows
OS Version: 64
GIMP Experience: Intermediate Level

List any ERROR messages you received:
GIMP Startup Not responding

GIMP Startup Not Responding

Today I updated from 3.04 to 3.0.6-1. GIMP won't finish the uploading of the program due to the above message error which it freezes at. It freezes at Initialization Babl Fishes . I think my 3.04 version was wiped out when I removed and the reinstalled 3.0.6-1. any help would be very much appreciated.

What version of windows and where did you obtain this version of gimp?

Wallace · **Posted:** Tue Oct 28, 2025 3:42 pm **(#4)**

When GIMP installation is freezing during startup at whatever step.
This might be happening if leftover settings are conflicting,
or if the installation didn’t complete cleanly.

Here’s a quick “clean start” method:

1. Close GIMP.

2. Go to
`C:\Users\<YourUsername>\.gimp-2.8`
change/rename this folder to something like `2.8_backup`.

3. Restart GIMP.
This will create fresh settings/new user profile.

This usually fixes the startup freeze immediately.

gasMask · **Posted:** Wed Oct 29, 2025 2:34 am **(#5)**

Same thing happened to me. Turned out it that the problem was LinuxBeaver's GEGL plugins were out-of-date:
Gimp 3.0.6 crashes with old...