Skip to main content
Chris Gilcher
Chris Gilcher
Participating Frequently
June 30, 2026

P: Photoshop 27.8 & later Rendering Artifacts, Exposed Previews and Color Banding

  • June 30, 2026
  • 167 replies
  • 887 views

Hello,

I have encountered what appears to be a GPU-related rendering bug when converting RGB images to CMYK in Photoshop.

System

  • Photoshop 27.8
  • macOS Tahoe 26.5.2
  • Mac Studio M2 Ultra
  • Apple Silicon GPU

Problem

Whenever GPU acceleration is enabled, converting an RGB image to CMYK produces severe black rendering artifacts across the image. The artifacts appear immediately after the color conversion and make the document unusable.

The issue occurs with multiple images and is fully reproducible on my system.

Steps to Reproduce

  1. Open an RGB image.
  2. Make sure Use Graphics Processor is enabled under Preferences > Performance.
  3. Convert the document to CMYK (either Image > Mode > CMYK Color or Edit > Convert to Profile).
  4. Large black artifacts appear throughout the image.

Expected Result

The RGB image should convert normally to CMYK without any visual corruption.

Actual Result

The converted image contains large black rendering artifacts that were not present in the original RGB document.

Workaround

Disabling Use Graphics Processor completely resolves the issue.

After restarting Photoshop with GPU acceleration disabled, the exact same RGB image converts to CMYK correctly with no artifacts.

Additional Information

  • The problem started recently. Earlier Photoshop versions on the same hardware did not show this behavior.
  • The issue does not appear to be related to a specific image.
  • Since disabling GPU acceleration immediately fixes the problem, this seems to be related to Photoshop's Metal GPU rendering pipeline rather than the color conversion itself.
  • I can provide the original RGB file, the corrupted CMYK result, screenshots, the GPU Compatibility Report, and the Photoshop System Information if needed.

Has anyone else experienced this issue on Apple Silicon Macs, particularly on an M2 Ultra?

Thank you.

      Pinned Reply By Erin26

      An update on the two bugs mentioned in this thread:

      • Washed-out colors: The fix is included in the latest Photoshop release, PS 27.9.1.
      • Banding during RGB → CMYK conversion: The fix is available in the latest Photoshop Beta build 27.11.

      167 replies

      Show previous replies
      T
      Tim Boole
      Participant
      August 1, 2026

      Turned off “Use Graphics Processor” in Pshop Preferences : Performance”

      This worked for me.

      D Fosse
      Community Expert
      D FosseCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      August 1, 2026

      ​@Tim Boole 

      Known bug in the Mac Photoshop version. The fix is to operate the “Precise color management for HDR display” checkbox and restart Photoshop. If unchecked, check it; if checked, uncheck it.

       

      Disabling the GPU turns off all display color management, so it’s not fixing the problem, just hiding it by breaking the whole chain.

       

      johng44721896
      Community Expert
      johng44721896Community Expert
      Community Expert
      July 31, 2026

      If you are using Ps v27.9, this seems to be a widespread problem according to the slew of posts at Reddit. The problem had been in Ps beta 27.9 and it seems that it wasn’t fixed before releasing standard v27.9.

      Jeff Arola
      Community Expert
      Jeff ArolaCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      July 31, 2026

      What version of Photoshop and operating system are you using?

       

      If your desktop is a Mac have a look at this thread for possible temporary solutions:

       

      C
      Adobe Employee
      cody_cuellar
      Adobe Employee
      July 31, 2026

      Hi all — a quick clarification, since this thread appears to be covering two separate bugs.

      The original report here (black rendering artifacts / banding during RGB→CMYK conversion with GPU acceleration enabled, on macOS Tahoe) is being tracked internally as its own issue, separate from the "washed out" color problem being discussed in this thread:

      They're unrelated bugs, though both revolve around the GPU.

      If your issue is RGB→CMYK conversion artifacts with GPU on: go to Photoshop 2026 > Settings... > Performance... and uncheck "Use Graphics Processor" as a workaround while we investigate.

      If you're seeing washed-out/overexposed images in the canvas on 27.9.0 specifically: go to Photoshop 2026 > Settings... > Technology Previews... and check "Precise color management for HDR display" (yes the name is counterintuitive as HDR is irrelevant to this particular bug). This is a known regression and a fix has already landed for an upcoming patch release.

      If you're hitting both, disabling "Use Graphics Processor" will work around either issue, at the cost of GPU performance.

      I'll post updates here as we learn more on the original CMYK/banding issue, and separately once the 27.9.0 patch ships.

      NOTE: Both bugs addressed here are display-only and do NOT affect the pixels in the document, so the document pixels are safe even if you see the issues described below.

      selondon
      Community Expert
      selondonCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      July 31, 2026

      Yep I assumed they were unrelated. 
      Artifacts were happening to me in 27.8 but apart from that the colour was fine.

      The over exposure only happened in the 27.9 update. Therefore have rolled back to 27.8.

      C
      chloe24090206d9th
      Participant
      July 31, 2026

      This morning, I transferred a Photoshop file that I was working on on the ipad onto my desktop computer. When I opened the file in the desktop Photoshop, the colors were completely whitewashed out. It’s displaying colors as very faded and nearly white, as if someone increased the exposure way too high. This has never happened before. I even tried opening a different file on the desktop photoshop, and the same thing happened again. 

      Please remember that we use your apps in the professional world, a world run by deadlines, and this sort of thing is untenable. 

        Srishti Bali
        Community Manager
        Srishti BaliCommunity Manager
        Community Manager
        July 31, 2026

        Hi ​@zachk 

         

        Thanks for reaching out, and I'm sorry you're experiencing this issue. Could you please try the following steps?

        1. Go to Settings > Technology Previews.

        2. Check "Precise Color Management for HDR Display."

        3. Restart Photoshop.

        4. If the option is already unchecked, toggle it on and off, restart Photoshop, and let us know if that makes any difference.

         

        Let us know if that helps!

        Thanks, Srishti Bali | Community & Engagement Strategist, Digital Imaging | Adobe
        rowly23
        rowly23
        Participating Frequently
        July 31, 2026

        I ran into something very similar after an Adobe update. In my case, the NEF files themselves weren't the problem—it turned out that Camera Raw was applying different default processing than before.

        A few things I'd check:

        • Open one of the affected NEF files in Camera Raw and click Reset to make sure an old preset or profile isn't being applied automatically.

        • Compare the Profile (Adobe Color, Camera Standard, etc.). After one update, mine had switched profiles and the images immediately looked flatter and hazier.

        • Disable any automatic presets in Camera Raw Preferences to see if the issue disappears.

        • If the files look correct in Nikon software (NX Studio) but not in Camera Raw, that points more toward an Adobe rendering issue than a problem with the Z9 files.

        Since the problem started immediately after the update, I'd also report it to Adobe with one of the original NEF files. If multiple Z9 users are seeing the same behavior, it's likely something Adobe can reproduce and fix in a Camera Raw update.

        zachk
        zachk
        Participant
        July 31, 2026

        Photoshop 2026 displays PNGs with incorrect/desaturated colors when “Use Graphics Processor” is enabled (macOS)

        After updating from Adobe Photoshop 2025 to Adobe Photoshop 2026 on macOS, I noticed that PNG files appear significantly less saturated in Photoshop 2026 than they do in Finder, Preview, and Photoshop 2025.

        What I verified

        • Same PNG file
        • Same ASUS ProArt monitor
        • Same Mac
        • Same Photoshop Color Settings in both versions:

           

           

          • North America General Purpose 2
          • sRGB IEC61966-2.1 working RGB
        • Preview and Finder match Photoshop 2025 exactly.

        Issue

        Only Photoshop 2026 displays the image with noticeably reduced saturation.

        Troubleshooting performed

        Disabling Preferences → Performance → Use Graphics Processor and restarting Photoshop completely resolves the issue.

        After GPU acceleration is disabled:

        • Photoshop 2026 matches Finder
        • Photoshop 2026 matches Preview
        • Photoshop 2026 matches Photoshop 2025

        Expected behavior

        Photoshop 2026 should display the same colors as Preview, Finder, and Photoshop 2025 when GPU acceleration is enabled.

        Actual behavior

        With Use Graphics Processor enabled, Photoshop 2026 displays PNG images with visibly reduced saturation. Disabling GPU acceleration immediately corrects the display.

        This appears to be a GPU rendering or display color management regression introduced in Photoshop 2026.

        System information

        • macOS: [your version]
        • Mac: [your Mac model]
        • GPU: [your GPU]
        • Monitor: ASUS ProArt
        T
        TexMax
        Participant
        July 30, 2026

        Until I read this post, I kept the Use Graphics Processor unchecked, which did not seem to hurt my performance on individual images in Photoshop. I then tried the Mr+Hahn solution and -- after a few restarts -- i now have Settings/Performance/Use Graphics Processor on. It worked for me. Thanks.

        perlfoto1
        perlfoto1
        Participating Frequently
        July 30, 2026

        Images that display accurately in Bridge, Camera RAW, LRC Library & Develop Modules, Preview, etc., are rendered completely washed out in PS regardless of whether or not edits have been applied. This occurs in both PS Beta (v27.10) and PS (v27.9). Finally narrowed it down to use of the GPU. When Use GPU is UNchecked in Settings>Performance, the problem disappears. I’ve had that option turned on essentially since it became available, so something has changed (or failed). There are advantages to having the GPU use turned on that I would like to retain. Any insight as to why this is happening and what might be done about it will be sincerely appreciated. Thanks.

        Details: Mac Mini M1/OS Tahoe 26.5.2/ PS Beta v27.10/PS v27.9

        Show more replies
        Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
        Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices