---
lastModified: 2026-09-10
title: "Design Mode cannot start"
description: "Design mode didn't start. The store preview may still be waking up \u2014 try again."
---
**Exact messages**

- Design mode didn't start. The store preview may still be waking up — try again.

- You can edit visually again once Runner finishes processing.

- Your preview is still loading.

**Meaning:** Visual editing needs a ready preview and may be unavailable while Runner is processing. A startup failure can occur while the preview is still waking up.

Wait for the active task and preview loading to finish, then retry Design Mode. If the storefront itself does not load, resolve that preview/build error first.

**Success:** You can select and edit a visible element. Escalate if the preview works but Design Mode repeatedly fails, including the affected page.

[All preview, publishing, and domain errors](/en/guides/help-and-reference/error-playbook-build)