Question

Command+Shift+Option+E No Longer Works in Photoshop (Mac)

Forum|Forum|4 months ago
January 9, 2026
3 replies
607 views

I started having a version of this problem today, after years of using Command+Shift+Option+E on my Mac to merge visible selected layers into a new layer. The keyboard shortcut doesn't work, and the trick of holding the Option key while selecting the Menu Command "Merge Visible" doesn't work. This Stamp Layer command is invaluable to me (and no, using Smart Object layers is not the same for me). I have tried resetting preferences, on quit and start; no luck, which is a real shame since I obtained all the disadvantages of resetting to default and gained no advantage. All my Adobe CC apps are up to date. I changed nothing on my Mac Studio (M2 Ultra/MacOS Tahoe). Stamp Visible simply stopped working when I closed one image and began working on a new image, even though I had not quit PS. And it has brought my work to a halt. I'm pretty bummed out.

I've attached a screenshot of the error mesage I receive whenever I try to invoke the shortcut or the menu command. I could not find any version of this error on the Adobe Error Lookup page. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

macOS

kathydannelvitcak

Inspiring

Me, too! I posted about that exact same issue a couple of weeks ago, and then a teeny, tiny miracle happened! After countless reboots of my Mac and closing/reopening PS I gave it one more try. I swear the heavens opened, and a golden light streamed through my router, and it fixed itself. I have no other explanation! By the way, I agree, Smart Layers never hit me right either.

Good Luck! I'm hoping the same luck is on its way to your Mac!

Kathy

D

drunkenspyderAuthor

Hey, thanks much for the quick followup. I can confirm that I am using both (Beta) and 2026 (27.2). I thought I was having the problem with both, but it turns out I was wrong and wasn't paying proper attention. With 27.2, I am able to use both the keyboard shortcut and the menu combo to achieve a Merged Visible New Layer. Apologies for the fire drill and my expression of frustration. That's all my fault.

So, here is the SysInfo for the Beta:

Adobe Photoshop Version: 27.3.0 20260107.m.3366 995ac77 arm64 (beta, PublicBeta)

MassC

Legend

Hey @drunkenspyder,

I think your issue might be in Photoshop Beta, so I would need to move your post to that community. To confirm, could you please share your system information?

Can you find this by going to Help > System Info while in the version of Photoshop where you're experiencing this issue?

^CM

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