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PJB_2016
Known Participant
September 3, 2026
Answered

AI remove tool is missing in Photoshop since yesterday

  • September 3, 2026
  • 11 replies
  • 68 views

I have been around and around with AI yesterday, and searched this site to the point where I am extremely frustrated just trying to get an answer. Yesterday, I was editing as normal in PS and I noticed the Generative bar at the top of the screen (The one you can pin) no longer had the “Remove” option. When I click on eraser tools in the left column, there’s only the eraser tool, background eraser tool, and magic eraser tool, NO Generative options. 

What happened to the AI Remove tool??? This was happening before I downloaded the latest update, and I did so yesterday hoping that would fix the issue. But it did nothing. I’ve restarted my PC, the PS program several times, checked the Contextual Task Bar (Yes, it’s on).

Pulling my hair out over here. The Generative tool is still available but it eats up credits and doesn’t work nearly as well as the simple AI Remove option.

PLEASE help me! I use this frequently to remove things from real estate photos - like people, clutter, baby names from walls, etc...content-aware fill also does a poor job, as well as the remove option in LR…

I’m paying for this option but it suddenly disappeared and I desperately need it.

    Correct answer Jeff Arola

    What version of Windows are you using?

     

    Is it possible you have multiple versions of Photoshop on your pc and are opening up an older version?

     

    Could you verify the version of Photoshop your using by going to Help>About Photoshop?

     

    Also it might be helpful if you post the contents of Help>System Info from within Photoshop.

    11 replies

    PJB_2016Author
    Known Participant
    September 3, 2026

    So, I think I figured it out! When I opened PS 2026, and looked at the menu that ​@davescm was referring to, (I actually think I HAD looked at that menu but in my frenzy to get this post up, mixed up the eraser tool and spot healing tool in my OP), the remove tool was right there! But I noticed the screen looks a little different across the top toolbar.

    So, THEN I went into LR and tried to “Open as Layers in PS” and THEN I noticed for some reason it wanted to send them to Photoshop 2024!! NO IDEA how that got switched, and I could have sworn the splash screen was the same earlier, but I changed it to Photoshop 2026 and lo and behold, my layers loaded and I was able to remove myself from a bathroom mirror with no issues!!!

    Complete mystery as to how that was changed. I had not done any updates or made any changes before that problem arose.

    Regardless, I feel 100% better. Thank you for the quick responses and help!!! 🙌🏻

    Jeff Arola
    Community Expert
    Jeff ArolaCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    September 3, 2026

    What version of Windows are you using?

     

    Is it possible you have multiple versions of Photoshop on your pc and are opening up an older version?

     

    Could you verify the version of Photoshop your using by going to Help>About Photoshop?

     

    Also it might be helpful if you post the contents of Help>System Info from within Photoshop.

      PJB_2016Author
      Known Participant
      September 3, 2026

      Bingo! I didn’t see your response until I just pressed send on my response to say that is exactly what happened. No idea how! AI has NOTHING on you people here!!! 😁

        PJB_2016Author
        Known Participant
        September 3, 2026

        This is what happens when I select an object to remove - I don’t have the “Remove” option

         

         I can’t get a screenshot of the Eraser tool option flyout menu because it closes when I initiate the screenshot.

        Resetting the toolbar?? I don’t see the AI remove tool at all - am I supposed to “restore defaults” and hope that doesn’t affect something else?

         

        davescm
        Community Expert
        davescmCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        September 3, 2026

        Scroll upward, the remove tool is normally grouped with the Spot Healing Brush tool (J) , not the Eraser (E)
        Dave

          PJB_2016Author
          Known Participant
          September 3, 2026

          Please see reply in a new comment.

          c.pfaffenbichler
          Community Expert
          c.pfaffenbichlerCommunity Expert
          Community Expert
          September 3, 2026

          Please post meaningful screenshot to illustrate.

          Have you tried resetting the toolbar yet (edit > toolbar)?

          PJB_2016Author
          Known Participant
          September 3, 2026

          Just did. I just feel like this is something simple, like I pressed a key sequence accidentally or something. It was working fine all this time, until it disappeared...

          Claire H.
          Community Manager
          Claire H.Community Manager
          Community Manager
          September 3, 2026

          Hi ​@PJB_2016 , Thanks for reaching out to the Photoshop Community Forums! Let's try to figure this out by testing out a few things:

          • Before resetting Preferences, try resetting the Toolbar. Go to Edit menu > Toolbar and click Restore Defaults: https://adobe.ly/4csZ7er

          • Resetting Photoshop Preferences: Try to reset the preferences of Photoshop using the steps mentioned here:  https://adobe.ly/4jmvs7u. Please back up your settings before resetting the preferences. You can check:  https://adobe.ly/3YW1WOu

          If none of these steps work for you, we can continue to troubleshoot. I hope this helps!^CH

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