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waddlequack
waddlequack
Participant
May 18, 2026
Question

Lightroom Classic 15.3 Masking Tool – Add/Subtract Brush Not Painting or Updating Overlay on Windows 11

  • May 18, 2026
  • 2 replies
  • 41 views

Using Desktop LRC, windows 11,  currently updated. I create a mask, select subject. once the overlay shows up I either select the add or subtract and select brush. I get the circle but no plus or minus in it and it does not paint the selected area. it also does not affect the area if you “paint” and try to make the change to the maks, the overlay updates, but the area that was trying to be painted does not update.

[Moderator updated title. Original here “I am using LRC, 15.3v and when using the masking tool, trying to use the add or subtract brush, it is not painting the area when showing overlay, nor is the brushed area getting updated when making the changes to the specific mask. Help!”]

    2 replies

    Srishti Bali
    Community Manager
    Srishti BaliCommunity Manager
    Community Manager
    May 19, 2026

    Hi ​@waddlequack ,

     

    Thanks for reaching out. From the details shared in the original post, this appears to be a Lightroom Classic 15.3 masking issue where the mask overlay does not visually update when using Add or Subtract with the Brush, even though the mask itself is being modified.

    A few things that may help confirm or narrow down the issue while this is being investigated:

    • Toggle the mask overlay off and back on to see if it refreshes visually.
    • Zoom in or out slightly after brushing to force a redraw.
    • Check whether the behavior is the same with different mask types (for example, Subject vs. Brush-only masks).
    • Verify whether the issue reproduces across multiple images or only with a specific file.

    If the issue persists across multiple files, try resetting preferences after creating a backup. The steps are shared here:
    https://helpx.adobe.com/lightroom-classic/help/reset-preferences.html#:~:text=Method%202%3A%20Manually%20delete%20the%20preferences%20file

    If none of the above helps, please copy and paste the complete System Info report here (Help > System Info). That includes the details needed for further investigation.

     

    Looking forward to your response!

    Thanks, Srishti Bali | Community & Engagement Strategist, Digital Imaging | Adobe
    waddlequack
    waddlequackAuthor
    Participant
    May 19, 2026

    Thank you! I will see if anything does the trick. 

    CMass
    Community Manager
    CMassCommunity Manager
    Community Manager
    May 18, 2026

    Hey ​@waddlequack, 

    I just wanted to confirm that you’re using Lightroom the Cloud-Based version and not Lightroom Classic. It looks like you posted in the Lightroom board, but shared the version number for Lightroom Classic in your original title.

    ^CMass

    waddlequack
    waddlequackAuthor
    Participant
    May 19, 2026

    Dang, sorry. I am using LRC.

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