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I
Iain Malcolm
Inspiring
September 29, 2023
Answered

camera raw opens on disconnected 2nd screen and photoshop locks up

  • September 29, 2023
  • 4 replies
  • 1569 views

Anyone know of a solution to this?

I get this when opening a raw file in photoshop, either by double clicking on file in explorer, or through photoshop's open menu, or when drag and drop file on photoshop. Have to kill photoshop via task manager.

If I run camera raw on a second screen (e.g. projector for demo) and then exit camera raw and photoshop, the next time I open a raw file, camera raw uses the now disconnected second screen and photoshop is locked up. Reboot (windows) does not resolve, the only solution seems to be to connect a second screen again and move the camera raw window back onto the first screen. If no second screen is available (e.g. when travelling) then hard luck, no photoshop until you can borrow a screen to move camera raw back.

    Correct answer Iain Malcolm

    As far as I can see, Camera Raw is tied to the actual screen it last opened on. plugging in a second (different) screen did not help - camera raw window still does not appear and photoshop is locked up. I had to plug in the same second screen (a projector) and magically camera raw window appeared when I opened a raw file.

    The cleaner (https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/kb/cc-cleaner-tool-installation-problems.html) also does not help in this situation as I used the cleaner and re-installed photoshop and it was still broken. It appears not to remove user settings. I created new user and in that account photoshop worked OK.

    Originally I suspect (not sure) that the projector was switched off and disconnected with camera raw open on the projector. screen

    4 replies

    L
    Lumigraphics
    Legend
    July 3, 2024

    What happens if you press the F key? Or, on Windows, try Windows key + P or Windows key + left/right arrow. On Mac, you can change the Space that an app is displayed on. You can also try changing display resolution on either platform.

      R
      Rufus Marius
      Participant
      July 3, 2024

      I haven't tried all combinations you have listed but I know win+left arrow or right arrow doesn't work. Thing is that the application window is photoshop which is locked because photo raw is opened as modal window. 

      L
      Lumigraphics
      Legend
      July 3, 2024

      Which is why you hit F, that makes it a regular window again.

      R
      Rufus Marius
      Participant
      July 1, 2024
      1. Open photoshop
      2. Ctrl+Click on "Edit > Preferences > Camera Raw..." (probably Command+Click on a Mac)
        A dialog appears asking: "Delete the Camera Raw preferences?"
      3. Choose "Yes"
      4. Click "Ok" to close the preferences window.

       

      Your preferences are reset and Camera Raw wil open on the default monitor.

        J
        Jim_NC
        Participant
        September 13, 2024

        Thanks. This solved the exact same problem on my Dell Laptop while I was on the road - away from my original two-monitor setup.  Truly appreciate the advice/answer!!

        R
        Rufus Marius
        Participant
        September 13, 2024

        Phew! Good to hear this was of help. Next time it happens, you can also try pressing f on your keyboard. This makes camera raw behave like a normal window that can moved with the windows+arrow keys. This tip is listed below by user Lumigraphics

          C
          colinj20918196
          Participant
          May 10, 2024

          I have this same problem, it's so infuriating. I've tried other monitors as well, I've tried a complete clean install of everything and I've tried the cleaning tool. Responding to ping this thread for a solution hopefully... It's driving me insane. 

            I
            Iain MalcolmAuthorCorrect answer
            Inspiring
            October 2, 2023

            As far as I can see, Camera Raw is tied to the actual screen it last opened on. plugging in a second (different) screen did not help - camera raw window still does not appear and photoshop is locked up. I had to plug in the same second screen (a projector) and magically camera raw window appeared when I opened a raw file.

            The cleaner (https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/kb/cc-cleaner-tool-installation-problems.html) also does not help in this situation as I used the cleaner and re-installed photoshop and it was still broken. It appears not to remove user settings. I created new user and in that account photoshop worked OK.

            Originally I suspect (not sure) that the projector was switched off and disconnected with camera raw open on the projector. screen

            T
            Tom29863500zmas
            Participant
            May 6, 2024

            I am having the same problem, going from a 2 screen system to my lap top only while traveling. This wasn't a problem on my last long trip Win10, Adobe 2022,-3 but this one ACR is locking up Photoshop, wanting to be on the nonexistant screen Win 11 Pro. There is no way to connect a second screen, and I have no access to my photographs.  I also have to close PS through Task Manager.

             

              I
              Iain MalcolmAuthor
              Inspiring
              May 6, 2024

              If you cannot plug into the same screen again, your only option as far as I am aware is to create a new user account on your laptop and run photoshop from there.
              There must be a setting somewhere in a settings/status file or the registry, but de-install re-install  plus cc-cleaner do not clear it.

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