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September 25, 2010
Answered

Keyboard not working properly in Photoshop CS5 (Mac OS)

  • September 25, 2010
  • 24 replies
  • 121357 views

Hi, I am having issues with my newly installed Photoshop CS5. Most of my keyboard functions are not working, as if Photoshop did not recognize that keys were eing pressed.

When creating a new document or saving a file, I cannot type anything into the document name field. Same happens when trying to create a new folder to save in.

No tool shortcuts work (M for marquee, B for brush, V for move, etc.). On-canvas brush changes ([ and ] for size, { and } for hardness) also do not work.

Most regular shortcuts do work (Cmd+Z, Cmd+S, etc.) but "advanced" shortcuts do not work (Cmd+Alt+Z, Cmd+Shift+Z, etc.).

Any idea on why this might be happening? I used Photoshop CS4 before with no problems. Other Adobe programs (Dreamweaver, Flash, Acrobat, etc.) are working normally.

Thank you.

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer c.pfaffenbichler

    Do you have access to a second keyboard you could switch with your current one just to make sure it is not a hardware-issue?

    Other than that: have you updated Photoshop yet?

    24 replies

    flysi3000
    Participating Frequently
    November 19, 2010

    This is interesting - I have a similar situation, except in my case, Photoshop is behaving as though I have the Option key held down on my keyboard. If I draw a selection with the Marquee tool, or make a shape with one of the Shape tools, it draws from the center. If I try to drag a guide from the rulers on the sides, it swaps the orientation of my guide to the opposite of what I'm trying to do.

    I tried some troubleshooting stuff, like resetting my Photoshop prefs, disconnecting/reconnecting my keyboard, and logging out/restarting my iMac. Then I tried PSCS5 on my laptop, and since I got the same deal on both machines, I'm thinking it might have something to do with the latest OS update that just came out. The fact that you're using 10.6.5 as well could be further evidence of that theory. Anyone else?

    I attached a video of what I'm experiencing. Note that at the beginning of the video, when I launch Photoshop, the File Open dialog box opens on its own - I'm not doing that.

    PS. Just tried Illustrator CS5 and am experiencing the same behavior. Flash CS5 is fine, though - as is everything else on my machine.

    Participant
    December 5, 2010

    I'm having the same problem.  It occurred a day after upgrading to osx 10.6.5

    Participant
    December 5, 2010

    Which mouse and what mouse options do you have in you user account Mouse Preferences?  Especially I'm interested in how you have configured the 'right click' (assuming you have the latest Apple mouse ...

    Participant
    November 18, 2010

    Same issue for me - some of my normal PS key commands suddenly don't work mid-job. Also had the cloning stamp cursor change to an arrow and wouldn't function. In all cases I flip to another app using Cmd tab, then come back to PS using the same keys and the problems have gone away, but nonetheless annoying. This might have also been triggered after recently uninstalling most of my CS4 apps using the uninstaller, including PS. Will re-install and see if that helps.

    Legend
    November 18, 2010

    What Version of OS X?

    Participant
    November 18, 2010

    I'm using 10.6.5

    Mac Pro1,1 2 x 3ghz Dual-Core Intel Xeon, 13gb RAM, ATI Radeon HD 5770

    Participant
    October 14, 2010

    Shed,

    You solved the problem? I'm in same situation... you can help me?

    (sorry the bad english)

    tnks!

    October 16, 2010

    I've gone through Adobe Support and they figured it is a user setting problem, told me to contact Apple about it. But other than that, no, I haven't figured it out.

    c.pfaffenbichler
    Community Expert
    c.pfaffenbichlerCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    September 27, 2010

    Do you have access to a second keyboard you could switch with your current one just to make sure it is not a hardware-issue?

    Other than that: have you updated Photoshop yet?

    September 27, 2010

    Yes, I've updated Photoshop. Unfrtunately I don't think I can change keyboards, as I'm using a laptop, not a desktop. But I'm pretty sure the problem must be with Photoshop, as I'm not having any trouble with other software, and some keyboard commands (Cmd+S, Cmd+Z, Cmd+D, etc.) do work.

    c.pfaffenbichler
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    September 27, 2010

    This is kind of »shot in the dark«, but you could always try trashing your prefs (after making sure all customized presets like Actions, Patterns, Brushes etc. have been saved and making a note of the Preferences you’ve changed) if you have not done so already.