The Color Guide panel does not update harmony rule previews when changing the base color. All rules (Complementary, Analogous, Triadic, etc.) display the same colors regardless of which color is selected in the artwork. The previews only correct themselves after clicking on each individual rule.Environment:Mac Mini M4 Illustrator 2026 (v30) and Illustrator 2025 installed simultaneously The problem occurs exclusively in 2026 — 2025 works perfectly on the same machineWhat was attempted without success:Reset of Illustrator 2026 preferences (renamed folder at ~/Library/Preferences/Adobe Illustrator 30 Settings/) Uninstall from Creative Cloud + Adobe Creative Cloud Cleaner Tool + clean reinstallAdditional notes:The issue appears with all documents, not just specific files The top color strip in the Color Guide panel does update correctly — only the harmony rule list previews are frozen No identical reports were found in the community prior to postingHas anyone experienced this or found a workaround? Any help is appreciated.

Participant

Question

Harmony rules not updating in Color Guide panel — Illustrator 2026 bug?

Forum|Forum|3 days ago
June 15, 2026
4 replies
28 views

The Color Guide panel does not update harmony rule previews when changing the base color. All rules (Complementary, Analogous, Triadic, etc.) display the same colors regardless of which color is selected in the artwork. The previews only correct themselves after clicking on each individual rule.

Environment:

Mac Mini M4
Illustrator 2026 (v30) and Illustrator 2025 installed simultaneously
The problem occurs exclusively in 2026 — 2025 works perfectly on the same machine

What was attempted without success:

Reset of Illustrator 2026 preferences (renamed folder at ~/Library/Preferences/Adobe Illustrator 30 Settings/)
Uninstall from Creative Cloud + Adobe Creative Cloud Cleaner Tool + clean reinstall

Additional notes:

The issue appears with all documents, not just specific files
The top color strip in the Color Guide panel does update correctly — only the harmony rule list previews are frozen
No identical reports were found in the community prior to posting

Has anyone experienced this or found a workaround? Any help is appreciated.

help!

richards26580075

Participating Frequently

Ditto here. Exact same swatches everybody else is getting. 2023 MacBook Air M2 15”. Not gonna record a screen video as it’s pretty simple - navigate to the Color Guide window and WYSIWYG. Problem persists when clicking on “Edit Colors...”.

Sherri530

Participant

I have a second computer system that I am NOT having any Color Guide issue.

It has a more recent processor? M4 Pro .. vs a M3 Pro on the system that has a Color Guide issue.

I can’t imagine it has anything to do with the computer itself?

Banner Factory

Participant

You may be on to something. I’m on a new M4 Macbook as well.

Sherri530

Participant

Mine works fine on my M4 ….it is NOT working on the M3.

Thus it doesn’t appear to be any MAC processing issue.

Sherri530

Participant

I am having an issue as well. Tried all the reboots. Uninstall/reinstall. Rename and reset preferences. Nothing?!?

when selecting a color. The harmony will or display as I’m the drip down menu. Only tints/shades. Doesn’t matter if it’s a new or existing file.

have a second computer. No issues?

below. Note the highlighted swatch yet the actual color harmony will not display in the ‘bright’ colors. Only dimmed/tints/shades. Triad is the selected harmony in this instance.

hoping you can provide some insight. Thanks.

Anubhav M

Community Manager

Hi @Nestor Caceres,

Sorry to hear about the trouble. I tried to reproduce this on my end but wasn't able to. To take it forward with the team, could you share a brief screen recording of your exact workflow and the moment the problem occurs?

You can upload it to Google Drive, Dropbox, or similar and share a public link here or via DM.

Looking forward to your update.

Anubhav

Sherri530

Participant

I am having an issue as well. Tried all the reboots. Uninstall/reinstall. Rename and reset preferences. Nothing?!?

when selecting a color. The harmony will or display as I’m the drip down menu. Only tints/shades. Doesn’t matter if it’s a new or existing file.

have a second computer. No issues?

below. Note the highlighted swatch yet the actual color harmony will not display in the ‘bright’ colors. Only dimmed/tints/shades. Triad is the selected harmony in this instance.

hoping you can provide some insight. Thanks.

Banner Factory

Participant

For what it’s worth, same issue here.
But I notice we seem to have the same set of preview swatches. Looks like we’re all stuck on the default set?

Noting that the drop down preview is accurate, so it’s likely a display setting that got mulched last update?

Happy to hear this isn’t a “me” thing, but eager for it to be resolved.

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