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doug.bowlby1
Participant
August 22, 2021
Answered

Photoshop message appears when using tools, layers etc.

  • August 22, 2021
  • 2 replies
  • 815 views

I have just migrated to a new MacBook pro with the M1 chip and each time I click on a tool or layer, etc. I get the message "unable to initialize backing library lib:plugplugexternalobject". I have to click OK twice to make the message disappear. It interferes with the workflow. Any recommendations?

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer doug.bowlby1

    Thank you. The problem seems to have resolved itsel. Not sure how, but all is well sgain

     

    2 replies

    MattIrvingAU
    MattIrvingAU
    Participating Frequently
    July 5, 2023

    I was suffering the same problem "unable to initialize backing library: lib:PlugPlugExternalObject", after switching to Mac Silicon.

     

    Here's the fix that worked for me:

    • (macOS) Users/<user name>/Library/Preferences/Adobe Photoshop <target_version> Settings
    • Inside that folder, look for "tw0001.dat" and delete it or rename it to tw0001.dat.OLD (it's used for some old extension that is no longer required)

     

    Cheers
    Matt

      M
      markhogan
      Participant
      September 30, 2023

      This error was making me crazy, I tried your solution and it worked!!

      Thanks for giving me hours of my life back!

        c.pfaffenbichler
        Community Expert
        c.pfaffenbichlerCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        August 25, 2021

        What have you done for all-purpose trouble-shooting so far? 

        Restoring Preferences after making sure all customized presets like Actions, Patterns, Brushes etc. have been saved might be a good starting point:

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

        https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/kb/basic-trouble-shooting-steps.html

         

        Otherwise you could try uninstalling, using the Cleaner Tool and then re-installing. (Save and back-up your custom presets first, though.) 

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

          J
          J453
          Legend
          August 28, 2021

          I suspect Uninstall/Reinstall will fix this. Let us know.

            ebriggs2
            ebriggs2
            Participant
            March 20, 2022

            I have the same problem. Where do I find instructions on how to save all presets etc and how to reinstall them before I uninstall/reinstall Photoshop

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