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Error - Target Channel is hidden in Photoshop

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In Photoshop CC, I am constantly getting the message "Could not ...... because the target channel is hidden" whenever I try to do anything. Every time, I check and see that the alpha channel is selected and hidden, so I select RGB instead. Why does it keep automatically switching back to alpha?

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Correct answer

I had the same problem and found the solution:

Your top panel, go to Select then in the dropdown menu uncheck "Edit in quick mask mode". Then it switches back to automatic RGB channel selection from automatic Alpha selection.

madebyaram

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Q worked, it <> worked wow thanks unbelievable it was that easy thank you!!!!!

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Ziyan____kp2184

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why

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CalebWestwood

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Same happen to me cause I accidentally hit "Q", that is the hotkey to hide the channel on and off.

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kgantz1

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What is a "Top Panel?" Where is that?

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Rasheed25785416kyg5

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press Q

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Waybridgellc

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REALLY ANNOYED BY THIS FEATURE! WIsh Adobe wouldn't keep chaning things around. Almost cried at my desk not knowing why this was happening.

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R

rileys01

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Thank you!

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sebastienne Mundheim

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Hi All, Its been so long since I've used photoshop. I I am unable to use the type tool after creating several layers. The pop us says "Could not use the type tool because the target channel is hidden." I do not know what "the top panel" is where I could deselect masking. Thanks for any help!

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olim92435738

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You are in quick-mask mode

Push the letter Q and all your troubles will go away...

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krissyr53702966

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Oh thank you so much

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paul_carkhuff

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In my case I found out that when I was accidentally right clicking on the curves icon, when I meant to left click on it. I have a wireless mouse and it's easy to do:( This had the effect of creating a layer mask in a curves panel, instead of just a layer with curves adjustment. Since the curves panel showed up right where I expected it, I failed to notice that I was creating a layer mask with a curves in it. Then I went to use my eraser and got the same message. It kind of messed me up for a while, but I solved it by deleting the unwanted layer, and then deleting the alpha channel which was also inadvertently created. I had a similar problem with using the option key when using the quick selection tool. I heard a click, click, click, etc. and then my keyboard was inactivated. I resolved this by hitting the option key multiple times until I heard the click, click, etc. again. There are numerous ways to get in a weird setting that is not helpful, and then it takes forever to figure out what happened and how to fix it. Especially since it's unintentional, a person has no idea what they might have done. Luckily sometimes there is a sound to indicate that something weird happened.

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A

Anonymous

Correct answer

I had the same problem and found the solution:

Your top panel, go to Select then in the dropdown menu uncheck "Edit in quick mask mode". Then it switches back to automatic RGB channel selection from automatic Alpha selection.

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