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Ana34954096ida0
Participant
August 28, 2026

Photoshop 27.10 becomes progressively slower during normal use, with severe Brush lag and masked adjustment layers blinking in and out

  • August 28, 2026
  • 4 replies
  • 214 views

Issue: Photoshop 27.10 becomes extremely slow during normal use, especially when brushing

  • Photoshop version: Photoshop 27.10
  • OS: macOS Tahoe 26.5
  • Mac: MacBook Pro 14-inch, Apple M4 Pro, 48 GB RAM

Steps to reproduce

  1. Open a project with multiple layers and adjustment layers.
  2. Work normally and use the Brush tool.
  3. After working with several layers, Photoshop becomes progressively slower.
  4. The Brush becomes extremely slow and delayed.
  5. When editing the mask of an adjustment layer, other masked adjustment layers blink in and out.

Expected result

Photoshop should remain responsive during normal editing, with normal Brush performance and stable adjustment-layer rendering.

Actual result

Photoshop becomes very slow overall after working with several layers. The Brush becomes particularly slow and delayed.

Masked adjustment layers also blink in and out while editing another adjustment-layer mask.

The MacBook becomes noticeably hotter while this is happening.

Additional information

The Brush issue was first noticed in Photoshop Beta 27.11.

The same performance problem is now occurring in the regular Photoshop 27.10 release.

I downgraded to Photoshop 27.9.1 on the same Mac and tested the same workflow. The Brush returned to its normal speed and Photoshop remained responsive.

    4 replies

    Anshul_Saini
    Community Manager
    Anshul_SainiCommunity Manager
    Community Manager
    August 28, 2026

    Hi ​@Ana34954096ida0,

    Thank you for the detailed report and especially for testing the same workflow after downgrading to Photoshop 27.9.1. The fact that the Brush performance returns to normal and Photoshop remains responsive in 27.9.1, while you’re seeing the slowdown in both 27.10 and Beta 27.11, is useful information.
     

    We’d like to investigate this further with the Photoshop product team. If possible, could you please provide:

    • A screen recording showing the workflow from when Photoshop is responsive through to the point where the Brush becomes noticeably delayed, and the masked adjustment layers begin blinking.

    • A sample PSD/PSB that reliably reproduces the behavior. Ideally, please keep the layer structure, adjustment layers, and masks intact so we can test the same workflow.

    • Help > System Info > Copy from Photoshop 27.10 and paste the contents here.

    • If you can estimate it, approximately how long you need to work in the document before the slowdown begins, and whether closing and reopening the document restores performance, or whether Photoshop itself needs to be restarted.

     

    Since the Brush is particularly affected, please tell us more about your input setup:

    • Are you painting with a graphics tablet/pen, mouse, or the MacBook trackpad?

    • If you’re using a tablet, what make/model is it (Wacom, Huion, XP-Pen, etc.)?

    • What tablet driver version is installed?

    • Does the Brush lag still occur if you disconnect the tablet and test the same document using only the MacBook trackpad or a mouse?

    • Are you using a standard Photoshop brush or a custom/imported brush when the slowdown occurs?

     

    If the project contains private/client material or is too large to attach publicly, you can upload the recording and sample file to Google Drive, Dropbox, WeTransfer, or a similar service and send me the link via DM.

     

    Since you’ve already isolated a version difference between 27.9.1 and 27.10/27.11 beta, please preserve the affected sample rather than flattening it or rebuilding the document. Having a file that reproduces both the progressive Brush lag and the adjustment-layer rendering issue will give us the best chance of reproducing it and logging a targeted bug with the product team.

     

    Thanks again for taking the time to test the previous release.

     

    Best,

    Anshul Saini

    Ana34954096ida0Author
    Participant
    August 31, 2026

    Hi, Anshul,

    Thanks for getting back to me. I’ll make the screen recording and send it to you privately, along with the TIFF file that reproduces the issue.

    I’m using a Wacom Intuos Pro S (PTH-460) with driver 6.4.12-3, and a standard Photoshop Brush.

    The slowdown happens progressively as I work on the TIFF and build up more layers. Once the file gets to around 1 GB or more, Photoshop becomes noticeably slower and the Brush becomes extremely delayed. 

    I tested both closing and reopening the document and restarting Photoshop, and neither restores the performance.

    I’ll also provide the Help > System Info from Photoshop 27.10 with the recording

    Anshul_Saini
    Community Manager
    Anshul_SainiCommunity Manager
    Community Manager
    September 16, 2026

    Hi @Ana34954096ida0,

    Thanks for the additional details. The fact that the slowdown develops progressively as the TIFF becomes more complex, while 27.9.1 remains responsive, is very helpful.

    Please send me the TIFF, screen recording, and Photoshop 27.10 System Info via DM as planned.

    If possible, please also test the same TIFF with the Wacom disconnected, using the MacBook trackpad or a mouse. This will help us determine whether the Brush lag is specific to the tablet input or also occurs with other input methods.

    When recording, please capture both the Brush lag and the masked adjustment layers blinking in/out.

    There’s no need to make any other configuration changes for now. Thanks again for helping us narrow this down.

    Best,

    Anshul Saini

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