Skip to main content
Brave_guide01AC
Brave_guide01AC
Known Participant
September 13, 2021
Answered

Layers don't select properly

  • September 13, 2021
  • 3 replies
  • 1913 views

I am having this really weird issue that is killing productivity. It happens on many Photoshop files. Not all of them, but a great many of them and only started about a year ago. It originally only affected one file every couple of months but now it is happening on most files.

 

What happens is that I'll create layers (they might be a combination of graphic and text layers), but when I select one and use the move tool, as soon as I select the move tool it switches to another layer. So when I try to move, it moves the wrong layer. Which layer gets moved is always random. It might be the last one I created, but it might also be the top layer, or just some random layer. That makes it really hard to work with the files, because the only way to move anything in the file is to use the arrow keys.

 

I've tried deleting the pref file which forces PS to create a new one. No change. I've tried reinstalling Photoshop. Worked for about a month then it was back to the same thing. I've tried quitting and reopening the affected files. I've tried restarting the computer. 

 

It happens on my 2020 MacBook Pro using MacOS Big Sur 11.5.1 and Photoshop through about three versions now (currently using 22.5.0).

 

It's gotten to the point where I'm ready to ditch Photoshop completely because it is pretty much unusable. Hoping someone has a solution.

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Dan Rodney

When the Move tool is selected, look in the Options bar (the bar at the top of the screen) and most likely Auto-Select is on (it's on by default in recent versions... unlike older versions of Photoshop when it had been off by default). 

 

When Auto-Select is on, Photoshop will select the topmost layer under the pixel you click on (unless it's a low Opacity). This is useful sometimes, but not always. If you turn off Auto-Select, you can select the layer you want to work on and Photoshop will not change the layer selection for you. 

 

TIP: If you turn off Auto-Select, you can hold Command (Mac) or Contrl (Windows) and click in the canvas to do a one time Auto-Select.

3 replies

Dan Rodney
Community Expert
Dan RodneyCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
September 13, 2021

When the Move tool is selected, look in the Options bar (the bar at the top of the screen) and most likely Auto-Select is on (it's on by default in recent versions... unlike older versions of Photoshop when it had been off by default). 

 

When Auto-Select is on, Photoshop will select the topmost layer under the pixel you click on (unless it's a low Opacity). This is useful sometimes, but not always. If you turn off Auto-Select, you can select the layer you want to work on and Photoshop will not change the layer selection for you. 

 

TIP: If you turn off Auto-Select, you can hold Command (Mac) or Contrl (Windows) and click in the canvas to do a one time Auto-Select.

— Adobe Certified Expert & Instructor at Noble Desktop | Web Developer, Designer, InDesign Scriptor
    Brave_guide01AC
    Brave_guide01ACAuthor
    Known Participant
    September 13, 2021

    Thank you! I didn't know that auto-select had become the default, and didn't even think to look at that even though it's right there above the toolbar.

    c.pfaffenbichler
    Community Expert
    c.pfaffenbichlerCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    September 13, 2021

    Could you please post screenshots with the pertinent Panels (Toolbar, Layers, Options Bar, …) visible? 

     

    Is the Move Tool set to »Auto-Select«? 

    lambiloon
    Community Expert
    lambiloonCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    September 13, 2021

    Hi i suggest you to use Photoshop 2020 version remove the updated one using adobe clean remove tool...regards

    Ali Sajjad / Graphic Design Trainer / Freelancer / Adobe Certified Professional
      Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
      Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices