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Missbee
Known Participant
Oct 1, 2026 10:00 PM UTC
Answered

Patterns deleting, actions stopped working on 27.10.0 release

Having multiple problems using the add-on actions I’ve used for years with this newest release:

. I install patterns and they delete in a day or two.
. The actions themself are full of errors, particularly “selection” errors. 
I’ve reset photoshop mutliple times, rebooted my computer and updated my graphics card.  My OS is WIndows 11.

Is there anything to be done? Thanks. Are there optimal settings in Windows? 

    NB, colourmanagement
    NB, colourmanagementCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    Oct 7, 2026 9:52 AM UTC

    It may be worth taking the time to thoroughly reset Photoshop’s preferences:

    Here's a bit more detail on resetting preferences fully, because, unfortunately, a simple reset doesn't always do everything :

     

    I’ve had a lot of positive feedback from users who have done this :

    so - Perhaps try a thorough reset of Photoshop preferences? 

     

     

    Unexpected behaviour of Photoshop may indicate damaged preferences, which are saved when Photoshop closes.. Restoring preferences to their default settings is a good idea when trying to troubleshoot unexpected behaviours in Photoshop.

    When preferences become corrupt, then various issues can occur.

     

    Here’s some info from Adobe about preferences:

    Learn how to access and modify Photoshop preferences and customise according to your frequent workflows

    https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/preferences.html#reset_preferences

     

    According to Adobe, manually removing preferences files is the most complete method for restoring Photoshop to its default state. This method ensures that all preferences and any user presets which may be causing a problem are not loaded. More here: https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/preferences.html#Manually

    and:

    https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/desktop/get-started/settings-and-preferences/reset-preferences.html#:~:text=Manually%20reset%20preferences

    The process:

    1. Quit Photoshop.
    2. Navigate to Photoshop's Preferences folder.
      macOS: Users/[user name]/Library/Preferences/Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings
      Windows: Users/[user name]/AppData/Roaming/Adobe/Adobe Photoshop [version]/Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings
       
      Note: The user Library folder is hidden by default on macOS. To access files in the hidden user Library folder, see How to access hidden user library files.
    3. Drag the entire Adobe Photoshop [Version] Settings folder to the desktop or somewhere safe for a backup of your settings
    4. Open Photoshop.
       New preferences files will be created in the original location.

     

    You may want to back up your settings and custom presets, brushes & actions before restoring Photoshop's preferences.

    Here is general info about that:  https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/preferences.html#BackupPhotoshoppreferences

     

    And here’s an Adobe Quick Tips link as an aid to overall understanding

    https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/quick-tips-how-to-reset-photoshop-preferences/td-p/12502668

     

    Thanks to Digitaldog for this quick and simple method:

    Press and hold Alt+Control+Shift (Windows) or Option+Command+Shift (macOS) immediately after launching Photoshop. You will be prompted to delete the current settings.

    You can also reset preferences on quit, if Photoshop is running, by going into General Preferences>General>Reset on Quit.

    This action only affects the items found in the preferences dialog box. Numerous program settings are stored in the Adobe Photoshop Preferences file, including general display options, file-saving options, performance options, cursor options, transparency options, type options, and options for plug‑ins and scratch disks. Brushes (and lots of other settings) are not affected by the above instructions for deleting preferences.

    You may wish to make a screen capture of the settings in the Preferences dialog to reset them prior to deleting this file. 

     

     

     

    Before you reset your preferences, in case of future issues, I suggest you make a backup copy as Adobe may need one to check problematic preferences. 

    Quit Photoshop.
    Go to Photoshop's Preferences folder

    Preferences file locations: https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/kb/preference-file-names-locations-photoshop.html\


      [on MacOS see: Users/[user name]/Library/Preferences/Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings

      Note for those on macOS: - Be aware that the user Library folder is hidden by default on macOS. More on that here:

      https://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/global/access-hidden-user-library-files.html

      In the Finder, open the “Go” menu whilst holding down the Option (Alt) key.

      "Library" will now appear in the list - below the current user's “home” directory. ]

     

    Now you can drag the entire Adobe Photoshop [Version] Settings folder to the desktop or somewhere safe as a backup of your settings.

     

     

    Note for macOS:

    Preference preservation is affected by macOS permissions,

    You’ll need to allow Photoshop ‘Full Disk Access’ in your Mac OS Preferences/Security and Privacy

     

    If resetting preferences doesn't fix your issue:

    Go to Preferences > Performance... and uncheck Multithreaded Compositing - and restart Photoshop.

    Is Photoshop still hanging? 

    Go to Preferences > Performance... click Advanced Settings... and uncheck "GPU Compositing" - then restart Photoshop. 

     

     

     

     

    It may even be time to reinstall Photoshop. 

     

    It’s recommended that you use the Adobe CC cleaner tool to remove all traces first. 

    (See above about preserving preferences first, though! It’s worth preserving them unless they are corrupted.)

    How and when to use the Creative Cloud Cleaner tool | Advanced steps

    https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/kb/cc-cleaner-tool-installation-problems.html

     

    Uninstall Photoshop BUT make sure to choose the option “Yes, remove app preference”.

     

    Once that process finishes, start the installation process and look into the “Advanced Options”. Uncheck “Import previous settings and preferences” and choose to “Remove old versions”.

     

    neil barstow - adobe forum volunteer, 

    colourmanagement consultant & co-author of 'getting colour right'

    See my free articles on colour management

    Help others by clicking "Correct Answer" if the question is answered.

    Found the answer elsewhere? Share it here. "Upvote" is for useful posts

     

    11 replies

    NB, colourmanagement
    Community Expert
    NB, colourmanagementCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    Oct 7, 2026 9:52 AM UTC

    It may be worth taking the time to thoroughly reset Photoshop’s preferences:

    Here's a bit more detail on resetting preferences fully, because, unfortunately, a simple reset doesn't always do everything :

     

    I’ve had a lot of positive feedback from users who have done this :

    so - Perhaps try a thorough reset of Photoshop preferences? 

     

     

    Unexpected behaviour of Photoshop may indicate damaged preferences, which are saved when Photoshop closes.. Restoring preferences to their default settings is a good idea when trying to troubleshoot unexpected behaviours in Photoshop.

    When preferences become corrupt, then various issues can occur.

     

    Here’s some info from Adobe about preferences:

    Learn how to access and modify Photoshop preferences and customise according to your frequent workflows

    https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/preferences.html#reset_preferences

     

    According to Adobe, manually removing preferences files is the most complete method for restoring Photoshop to its default state. This method ensures that all preferences and any user presets which may be causing a problem are not loaded. More here: https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/preferences.html#Manually

    and:

    https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/desktop/get-started/settings-and-preferences/reset-preferences.html#:~:text=Manually%20reset%20preferences

    The process:

    1. Quit Photoshop.
    2. Navigate to Photoshop's Preferences folder.
      macOS: Users/[user name]/Library/Preferences/Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings
      Windows: Users/[user name]/AppData/Roaming/Adobe/Adobe Photoshop [version]/Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings
       
      Note: The user Library folder is hidden by default on macOS. To access files in the hidden user Library folder, see How to access hidden user library files.
    3. Drag the entire Adobe Photoshop [Version] Settings folder to the desktop or somewhere safe for a backup of your settings
    4. Open Photoshop.
       New preferences files will be created in the original location.

     

    You may want to back up your settings and custom presets, brushes & actions before restoring Photoshop's preferences.

    Here is general info about that:  https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/preferences.html#BackupPhotoshoppreferences

     

    And here’s an Adobe Quick Tips link as an aid to overall understanding

    https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/quick-tips-how-to-reset-photoshop-preferences/td-p/12502668

     

    Thanks to Digitaldog for this quick and simple method:

    Press and hold Alt+Control+Shift (Windows) or Option+Command+Shift (macOS) immediately after launching Photoshop. You will be prompted to delete the current settings.

    You can also reset preferences on quit, if Photoshop is running, by going into General Preferences>General>Reset on Quit.

    This action only affects the items found in the preferences dialog box. Numerous program settings are stored in the Adobe Photoshop Preferences file, including general display options, file-saving options, performance options, cursor options, transparency options, type options, and options for plug‑ins and scratch disks. Brushes (and lots of other settings) are not affected by the above instructions for deleting preferences.

    You may wish to make a screen capture of the settings in the Preferences dialog to reset them prior to deleting this file. 

     

     

     

    Before you reset your preferences, in case of future issues, I suggest you make a backup copy as Adobe may need one to check problematic preferences. 

    Quit Photoshop.
    Go to Photoshop's Preferences folder

    Preferences file locations: https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/kb/preference-file-names-locations-photoshop.html\


      [on MacOS see: Users/[user name]/Library/Preferences/Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings

      Note for those on macOS: - Be aware that the user Library folder is hidden by default on macOS. More on that here:

      https://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/global/access-hidden-user-library-files.html

      In the Finder, open the “Go” menu whilst holding down the Option (Alt) key.

      "Library" will now appear in the list - below the current user's “home” directory. ]

     

    Now you can drag the entire Adobe Photoshop [Version] Settings folder to the desktop or somewhere safe as a backup of your settings.

     

     

    Note for macOS:

    Preference preservation is affected by macOS permissions,

    You’ll need to allow Photoshop ‘Full Disk Access’ in your Mac OS Preferences/Security and Privacy

     

    If resetting preferences doesn't fix your issue:

    Go to Preferences > Performance... and uncheck Multithreaded Compositing - and restart Photoshop.

    Is Photoshop still hanging? 

    Go to Preferences > Performance... click Advanced Settings... and uncheck "GPU Compositing" - then restart Photoshop. 

     

     

     

     

    It may even be time to reinstall Photoshop. 

     

    It’s recommended that you use the Adobe CC cleaner tool to remove all traces first. 

    (See above about preserving preferences first, though! It’s worth preserving them unless they are corrupted.)

    How and when to use the Creative Cloud Cleaner tool | Advanced steps

    https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/kb/cc-cleaner-tool-installation-problems.html

     

    Uninstall Photoshop BUT make sure to choose the option “Yes, remove app preference”.

     

    Once that process finishes, start the installation process and look into the “Advanced Options”. Uncheck “Import previous settings and preferences” and choose to “Remove old versions”.

     

    neil barstow - adobe forum volunteer, 

    colourmanagement consultant & co-author of 'getting colour right'

    See my free articles on colour management

    Help others by clicking "Correct Answer" if the question is answered.

    Found the answer elsewhere? Share it here. "Upvote" is for useful posts

     

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    Missbee
    MissbeeAuthor
    Known Participant
    Oct 8, 2026 1:49 AM UTC

    Thanks so much for this. I get jittery when I have to start over.  I’ll have to take a big inhale and do this on a quiet day. 

    Translate
    Missbee
    MissbeeAuthor
    Known Participant
    Oct 6, 2026 11:10 PM UTC

    I’ve gotten slightly better results “optimizing” photoshop, enlarging the cache, setting for large file sizes, while reducing the size of my photos to run sometimes older actions. However still the problem with patterns--though I install through the “import” function, photoshop deletes them almost as quick as I can install them. 

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    Missbee
    MissbeeAuthor
    Known Participant
    Oct 5, 2026 12:21 AM UTC

    I’ve installed several patterns using “import,” still getting the dumping,  and this round was careful to “import”  the Aquarino patterns.

    I only use the actions this time of year, preparing images for my holiday card, but I just noticed the problems. I could use many more actions in 2025.  I’ve also had problems with Adobe Bridge with last year’s December Windows update. My computer is a gaming computer which should be able to handle the graphics.
    One change I made was Action>playback>step by step after another action preferred “accelerated.” However the action still didn’t work. I also change the photo size to their recommended one.

    Thanks again for your help.

     

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    justlearn
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    Oct 2, 2026 7:58 AM UTC

    ​@Missbee how are you installing the actions and patterns? Are you loading the patterns and actions or just dragging into their respective folders on your PC?

    Normally, I would load the patterns and actions via their respective panels

    Translate
    m
    Missbee
    MissbeeAuthor
    Known Participant
    Oct 2, 2026 7:26 PM UTC

    Sometimes I’d click the pattern from the file to install, but sometimes I’d open the patterns folder and “import.” Everything disappeared. Thanks for your help. 

    Translate
    Trevor.Dennis
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    Oct 1, 2026 11:09 PM UTC

    Expand (twirl open) the action and paste a screen shot to this thread.

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    Missbee
    MissbeeAuthor
    Known Participant
    Oct 2, 2026 7:41 PM UTC

    Thanks so much for your help. I’ll attach two screenshots:
    . The interrupted “Rocket painter watercolor painting” plugin, which I purchased directly from Adobe. Strangely, it gets different errors each time. Once in a while it works,for a few consecutive times, then glitches. I’ve deleted and re-stalled per developer’s advice.
    . The error I receive when I run “Aquarino,” an action I’ve run for a few years. However, “The command selection is not available is a frequent error. Both brushes and patterns are installed.

    In previous photoshops I’ve gotten some of these running by un-checking “open CL,” but not this time. 
     

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    Trevor.Dennis
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    Oct 3, 2026 4:31 AM UTC

    Thanks for the screen shot.  Cool artwork btw.

    Open the Actions panel, and select one of the problem actions.

    This will cause it to open in a new window like the one below.

    You’ll probably need to click on the Expand (my green highlight) which will open it up and show the steps.  You might need to drag out the window to reveal all of the text.

     

    Having said that, it might show the error you mention if it is looking for a condition that does not exists.  For instance:  My tiny action above expands the selection by two pixels, but if there is no selection in place it would give the error. 

    You might not have an appropriate layer selected, as in you have an Adjustment layer or Smart Object or Shape layer selected, and the Action you are trying to use is unable to work on anything other than a raster (pixel) layer.

    Does this make any sense?

     

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