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Eric3721277257xr
Participant
October 3, 2024

P: Eyedropper tool not working to pick color outside Photoshop

  • October 3, 2024
  • 28 replies
  • 4751 views

I have tried just about everything to get this to work. I am not sure when exactly it stopped working but I am guessing during one of the updates for some reason that got screwed up. It works on all my home computers and my work laptop but not my desktop. 

 

I have unistalled and reinstalled, tried less up to date versions, turned on and off the screen recording for photoshop in my settings, restarted my computer, none of it has solved the problem. This is so frustrating and I haven't found anyone else having this issue besides people that forget to turn the screen recording button as I mentioned.

 

Also I should mention with all my other Adobe products that fuction works just fine. If I am missing something here please let me know because I need a solution to this madness.

    28 replies

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    Eric3721277257xrAuthor
    Participant
    March 3, 2025

    Need some Adobe help on this isn't this why you guys have these forums

      Sameer K
      Community Manager
      Sameer KCommunity Manager
      Community Manager
      March 7, 2025

      Hey, @Eric3721277257xr and @davehutch. Please share screenshots or a short video showing this behavior and the system info from Photoshop Help > System info > Copy and paste into a text document > Upload and attach here.

       

      Also, specify the model of the Mac machine you're working on. 

       

      Thanks! 
      Sameer K

      (Type '@' and type my name to mention me when you reply)

      davehutch
      davehutch
      Known Participant
      February 27, 2025

      Same here. Sequoia 15.3.1 and PS 26.3. Screen Recording permission set to on

      E
      Eric3721277257xrAuthor
      Participant
      February 25, 2025

      I tried using that cleaner and re installing but still nothing. Clicking and dragging outside for whatever reason in PS alone does not work. My other apps work fine so it is quite frustrating. Havent replicated on any of my other computers except this one.

        barbara_a7746676
        Community Expert
        barbara_a7746676Community Expert
        Community Expert
        February 25, 2025

        You could try uninstall/reinstall with the Adobe CC Cleaner tool. It has a BAT fike that has fixed a couple of problems for me.

        https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/kb/cc-cleaner-tool-installation-problems.html

         

        Im not able to repliate the issue.

        I have to assume that you are using the eyedropper correctly, holding it down on a photoshop image and without letter go of holding down on the mouse, moving it outside Photoshop to copy a color.

          E
          Eric3721277257xrAuthor
          Participant
          February 25, 2025

          Installed the Beta, gave it all the permissions and it still does not work

            E
            Eric3721277257xrAuthor
            Participant
            February 24, 2025

            All of these are turned on and it still does not work.

             

              Sameer K
              Community Manager
              Sameer KCommunity Manager
              Community Manager
              February 25, 2025

              Please test and confirm if the issue exists with Photoshop (Beta). You can get Photoshop (beta) from the Creative Cloud > Apps tab > Beta Apps section. 


              Sameer K

                Sameer K
                Community Manager
                Sameer KCommunity Manager
                Community Manager
                February 24, 2025

                Hey, @Eric3721277257xr. Welcome to the Photoshop Community. I'll help you figure this out.

                 

                Just to be sure, ensure Photoshop has the required permissions on the macOS: https://adobe.ly/43zB3AJ 

                 

                Let me know how it goes. Thanks! 

                Sameer K

                (Type '@' and type my name to mention me when you reply)

                  C
                  chrisr60465699
                  Participant
                  October 3, 2024

                  I have the latest version of Photoshop (2024) fully updated, along with my Mac M1. I've granted the app all necessary permissions in my privacy settings, but I'm unable to sample colors outside of the app.

                  When I rolled back to Photoshop 2023, I received a prompt to allow it to screen record, and it worked perfectly after that. However, I didn't get a similar prompt in Photoshop 2024. Additionally, I would like to have the color picker ring as this doesnt seem to work either.

                    Ged_Traynor
                    Community Expert
                    Ged_TraynorCommunity Expert
                    Community Expert
                    October 3, 2024

                    @chrisr60465699 try manually resetting your Photoshop preferences
                    https://helpx.adobe.com/ie/photoshop/using/preferences.html#Manually
                    Remember to back up your settings before doing the preference reset
                    https://helpx.adobe.com/ie/photoshop/using/preset-migration.html

                    C
                    chrisr60465699
                    Participant
                    October 3, 2024

                    Hey @Ged_Traynor thank you for youre comment. After following ( welling trying to ) your instructions. I navigate to Users/[user name]/Library/Preferences/ there is no Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings? 

                     

                     

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