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MERMIL
MERMIL
Inspiring
August 16, 2022
Answered

Can't choose tools in Illustrator after latest update

  • August 16, 2022
  • 3 replies
  • 828 views

After Illustrator updated to v26.4.1, I am no longer able to choose any tools. It stays on the eraser and will not change unless I hold down control (all the time)--only then can I select something. I tried restarting, nothing changed. I uninstalled and reinstalled the previous version, v26.3.1, and the same thing happens. Do I need to go back to an even earlier version or is there an easier fix?

Correct answer MERMIL

I've deleted the prefs file muliple times before installing several different versions and now running the 26.5. Nothing worked until I found this: Go to Preferences>Devices and uncheck all devices. My only enabled device is my Wacom tablet. I unchecked it and everything works correctly now.

 

Thanks for your comments.

3 replies

J
jimgoode
Participant
August 27, 2024

I am running Illustrator 28.6. Mac OSX just updated to Sonoma 14.6.1 and now suddenly I am having this problem.

 

I think this might be the same issue:

  • I am not able to select hidden/embedded tools.
  • I can select the first visible option of a tool, eg from Rectangle to Paint Brush, but I cannot click and hold to choose an other tool, eg Circle or Rounded Rectangle tool. To work around it I can Option-Click the tool to have it change the default. But this is not a solution.
  • Also, it is not just selecting other tools, but some ... menus are failing to display submenus as well, such as the ... on the floating Contextual Task Bar, eg Add a Shape "More options".

 

I have tried to no avail the following:

  1. deselecting Wacom as my enabled device (I have never connected a Wacom, so I have no idea why that was even selected),
  2. resetting the preferences,
  3. deselecting Wacom as my enabled device again,
  4. deleting preferences folder,
  5. deselecting Wacom, again

 

J
jimgoode
Participant
August 27, 2024

ok, well Illustrator locked up and froze the OS drop-down menu. When I rebooted I got the Mac error report screen and an Illustrator debug tool. I submitted both and now the toolbar is working.

 

I have no idea what fixed it.

Met1
Met1
Legend
August 26, 2022

Try 26.5 - before you launch, find the prefs file and physically delete it.

(Are you on a Mac?)

MERMIL
MERMILAuthorCorrect answer
Inspiring
August 29, 2022

I've deleted the prefs file muliple times before installing several different versions and now running the 26.5. Nothing worked until I found this: Go to Preferences>Devices and uncheck all devices. My only enabled device is my Wacom tablet. I unchecked it and everything works correctly now.

 

Thanks for your comments.

Anubhav M
Community Manager
Anubhav MCommunity Manager
Community Manager
August 16, 2022

Hello @MERMIL,

 

Sorry to hear about this experience. I would request you try resetting Illustrator's preferences by following the steps shared in this article (https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/kb/troubleshoot-preference-issues.html) and sharing your observations.
Disclaimer: Please note that resetting preferences will remove all custom settings, and Illustrator will launch with the defaults. You may take a backup of these settings from the location mentioned in the article.


Looking forward to hearing from you.

 

Thanks,
Anubhav

MERMIL
MERMILAuthor
Inspiring
August 24, 2022

I reset the preferences as you suggested and there is no change. Whatever tool I select, it stays on the eraser--even though the toolbar shows that another tool is selected.

Anubhav M
Community Manager
Anubhav MCommunity Manager
Community Manager
August 25, 2022

Hello @MERMIL,

 

Thanks for confirming that. It could be possible that a third-party application might be interfering with Illustrator. I would request you try rebooting your computer in Safe Mode (macOS / Windows) and then launch Illustrator to check if it helps.

 

Looking forward to your response.

 

Regards.

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