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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
  • 889 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
      Tilo Riolo
      Participant
      July 16, 2026

      Same here on Mac M4, since the last Beta update (27.10.0) all images open way too bright. I already checked all color and display settings, everything seems to be as it should

      J
      JimmyClaghorn
      Participant
      July 16, 2026

      Proof view (command Y) fixed my issue, but still does not expalin why this happened. While annoying, I found a temporary fix.

      T
      Tilo Riolo
      Participant
      July 16, 2026

      Yes, thanks, proof view actually works, as does disabling “Use Graphics Processor” in preferences… hope this bug gets fixed fast...

      J
      JimmyClaghorn
      Participant
      July 16, 2026

      After doing the most recent Photoshop Beta update, my saved files now appeared serveryly whitewashed and desaturated after opening them with the new update installled. I’ve even closed and restarted my computer multiple times in an attempt to fix the issue, and non of which worked.

       

        A
        andrew29056103hbuc
        Participant
        July 15, 2026

        My photoshop does not have (Photoshop 2026>Settings>Technology Previews, and uncheck Precise color management for HDR display) checked and still has the issue. I have deadlines. All my designs are washed out. Can you please help me.

        D
        defaultms06gzrn4h4x
        Participant
        July 16, 2026

        I am also experiencing this issue where images look washed out, but the solution to uncheck the Precise color management for HDR display box doesn’t apply as it was already unchecked. 

        I ended up going back to the older version of photoshop via the CC app and then uninstalled the newest version. Images look fine now.

        To do this, while in the apps section of Creative Cloud, click the three dots on the Photoshop app and select “other versions,” then install an older version. I believe you can leave the newer version installed if desired, but make sure you open files in the older version.

        Hope this helps for now!

          C
          contactzero
          Inspiring
          July 15, 2026

          I updated to Mac release Ps 27.9.0 and have the same Washed out issues in Photoshop. I use a Eizo CG2700x monitor. All other programs are fine - the problem appears to be the pointer to the monitor profile. I simply when into View > Proof Set up > Custom > (Reselected my Profile) and the color came back. Not a big deal but fuggin scary because I have a shoot today. Thanks Adobe for keeping me on my toes.

          Summary: Reselect your monitor profile in View > Proof Set up > Custom >  (Reselected your Profile)

          Courage to all!

            S
            Spirited_Rainbow5684
            Participant
            July 18, 2026

            i have  the same problem since yesterday update 😭☠️ gonna test this. but why is it happening!? never was a problem before. 

            J
            jimbonorman
            Participant
            July 15, 2026

            hmmm...so to make this more confusing, what worked for me was in Color Settings under Advanced Controls, I checked the box that says Desaturate Monitor Colors By: 20%. To be clear, this was initially unchecked and the colors appeared to be desaturated by 20%. Checking this box saturated the colors, but it didn’t seem to matter what percentage I entered (0%, 20%, 100%, etc.) as long as I checked that box the colors were fully saturated. It’s opposite from what the checkbox says, so I think this is a bug...

            JohanElzenga
            Community Expert
            JohanElzengaCommunity Expert
            Community Expert
            July 14, 2026

            There is a bug in Photoshop. Go to Photoshop 2026>Settings>Technology Previews, and uncheck Precise color management for HDR display and then restart Photoshop.

            -- Johan W. Elzenga
              V
              VolumePhotography2297
              Participant
              July 14, 2026

              This worked! Thank you so much!!

                V
                VolumePhotography2297
                Participant
                July 14, 2026

                After updating to the most recent version (v 27.9) image coloring appears incorrectly in the editing workspace. When opening a .jpg using photoshop, the photo appears in the workspace washed out and with no contrast. In the navigator window and Camera Raw, the photo appears with the correct coloring. I’ve included a photo for reference. The photo coloring returns to normal once saved and exported out of Photoshop.

                Step 1- Open the .jpg by right clicking the image and selecting open with Photoshop

                Step 2- The photo appears in the workspace with incorrect coloring.

                In workspace- incorrect coloring
                In navigator window- correct coloring

                 

                  Jeff Arola
                  Community Expert
                  Jeff ArolaCommunity Expert
                  Community Expert
                  July 13, 2026

                  There is bug on the Mac side in Photoshop 2026 (27.8) and looks like it carried over to the 27.9 Beta.

                   

                  Anyway, other users have reported washed out images and artifacts in the shadow areas that seem to be corrected for now by going to Photoshop 2026>Settings>Technology Previews, unchecking Precise color management for HDR display and restarting Photoshop.

                    J
                    jwvink
                    Participant
                    July 14, 2026

                    Same problem here but this solution worked for me!

                      dianer_macperson
                      dianer_macperson
                      Inspiring
                      July 13, 2026

                      I went back to 27.8 and It opens correctly.

                      dianer_macperson
                      dianer_macperson
                      Inspiring
                      July 13, 2026

                      I just installed 27.9 version of beta photoshop today. The profiles seem to be a mismatch between beta version 27.9  and the regular photoshop 27.6 for RGB images.   This only started happening when I upgraded to the beta today. All of my RGB images are coming up this way.  They should be the same. They both have the same profile. When I re-apply the profile it’s still different, darker. 

                      beta 27.9  is on the left, 27.6 is on the right.

                      Does anyone know what’s going on with this?

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