Is Photoshop crashing or refusing to open on your Mac? Don't panic! This ultimate troubleshooting guide offers comprehensive solutions to common Photoshop issues on macOS. From simple fixes like restarting your computer to more advanced techniques, we'll walk you through step-by-step solutions to get Photoshop running smoothly again. Save your work and frustration—let's get this fixed!
Step-by-Step Instructions
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Close Background Apps and Check Resources
- Close all resource-intensive apps and ensure Photoshop isn't running in the background. Use Command + Tab to see running apps and Command + Q to close them.
Close Background Apps and Check Resources -
Update Photoshop and Manage Plugins
- Open Creative Cloud app and update Photoshop to the latest version.
- Manage Photoshop plugins in Creative Cloud. Uninstall plugins and relaunch Photoshop. Reinstall plugins later if the problem persists.
Update Photoshop and Manage Plugins -
Check and Optimize Mac Storage
- Check your Mac's storage. Ensure you have sufficient space to save Photoshop files. Free up space by emptying your trash or deleting unnecessary files in your Downloads folder.
Check and Optimize Mac Storage -
Update macOS and Restart
- Update your Mac's operating system via System Settings > Software Update. Restart your Mac after updating.
Update macOS and Restart -
Reinstall Photoshop (Last Resort)
- As a last resort, uninstall Photoshop from Creative Cloud and reinstall it.
Reinstall Photoshop (Last Resort)
Tips
- Use the shortcut Command + Tab to quickly view and close running applications.
- Closing resource-intensive apps frees up system resources, improving Photoshop's performance and stability.
- Outdated plugins can often cause conflicts, leading to crashes. Regularly check for updates.
- Insufficient storage space can prevent applications from launching or functioning correctly. Maintain adequate free space.
- A system restart often resolves temporary software glitches that may be causing Photoshop launch issues.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Insufficient Disk Space
Reason: Photoshop requires significant disk space for temporary files and project storage. Low disk space can lead to crashes or prevent the application from opening.
Solution: Free up disk space by deleting unnecessary files or moving large files to an external drive.
2. Corrupted Preferences File
Reason: A corrupted Photoshop preferences file can cause unexpected behavior, including crashes and failure to launch.
Solution: Delete the Photoshop preferences file to force the application to create a new, clean one.
3. Incompatible Extensions or Plugins
Reason: Outdated, conflicting, or corrupted extensions and plugins can interfere with Photoshop's functionality and cause crashes.
Solution: Temporarily disable or uninstall recently installed extensions or plugins to identify and resolve the conflict.
FAQs
Why is Photoshop crashing on my Mac after a recent update?
Software updates sometimes introduce compatibility issues. Try reinstalling Photoshop, ensuring you have the latest macOS updates, and checking for any conflicting extensions or plugins. If the problem persists after these steps, contact Adobe support.
Photoshop won't open at all. What should I try first?
Start with the basics: Restart your Mac. Then, try running Photoshop as an administrator (right-click the application and select 'Run as administrator'). Check your disk space – Photoshop needs ample free space to operate. If it still won't open, try deleting its preferences file (see instructions in the main article).
My Mac is freezing when I try to use Photoshop. What's causing this?
This usually indicates insufficient RAM or a problem with your graphics card. Close other applications to free up RAM. Update your graphics card drivers. If the issue persists, consider upgrading your Mac's RAM or checking your graphics card's health.