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Spasticlemur
Spasticlemur
Participant
June 24, 2020
Answered

Photoshop refuses to start unless I restart the computer

  • June 24, 2020
  • 7 replies
  • 2260 views

Is anyone else having this issue?  I recently updated to the latest version of Photoshop, 21.2.0, and after updating, Photoshop will open only once, then refuses to open again until I reboot the computer. Attempting to start Photoshop after I have used it once yields no error of any kind, I simply get a busy cursor for about 5 seconds, and nothing.

Previous versions of Photoshop have caused me no issues at all.  I have tried everything I know of to resolve the issue including uninstalling and reinstalling Photoshop, making sure to delete registry entries as well as related files, and folders on the computer prior to reinstalling, running the application as an administrator and running the compatibility troubleshooter, all to no avail. 

I have included a screenshot of my computer configuration.  Any assistance you folks offer would be greatly appreciated.  It's very annoying to have to restart the PC to run Photoshop.

Thanks
Randall

    Correct answer Eva341076016lfk

    I have a solution that works for Windows PCs. (Windows 10+)

    1. Right-click on taskbar
    2. Select "Task Manager"
    3. Under "Processes," find Adobe Photoshop. 
    4. If it is running, right click on the process.
    5. Select "End Task"
    6. Repeat step 4 and 5 if at first the task is not successfully ended
    7. Close task manager
    8. Re-open photoshop. 

     

    If photoshop cannot be found in your task manager processes, I'm sorry I don't know how to help that. Too bad they haven't been able to fix this in 5 years. 

    7 replies

    E
    Eva341076016lfkCorrect answer
    Participant
    July 29, 2025

    I have a solution that works for Windows PCs. (Windows 10+)

    1. Right-click on taskbar
    2. Select "Task Manager"
    3. Under "Processes," find Adobe Photoshop. 
    4. If it is running, right click on the process.
    5. Select "End Task"
    6. Repeat step 4 and 5 if at first the task is not successfully ended
    7. Close task manager
    8. Re-open photoshop. 

     

    If photoshop cannot be found in your task manager processes, I'm sorry I don't know how to help that. Too bad they haven't been able to fix this in 5 years. 

    K
    KibbyCC
    Participant
    March 26, 2024

    I get this issue and its annoying as all hell... every other adobe program updates and opens... but when it CC pushes a new update... I can't launch photoshop.. it fails updates.. everything until i restart PC.

    S
    Shannon266489110c2v
    Participant
    February 1, 2023

    I can't do ANYTHING with photoshop.  I have to restart every time.  I can't even save a pdf without it crashing and having to restart.  Also on a brand new laptop.  This adobe cloud creative suite is THE MOST PROBLEMATIC, NONFUNCTIONAL platform I have ever seen.  There is no such thing as productivity.  Do better Adobe.  

     

    R
    richardr78760898
    Participant
    December 12, 2022

    It's Dec 2023, and they still haven't fixed the problem.

    Peru Bob
    Community Expert
    Peru BobCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    November 24, 2020

    Instead of rebooting the computer, just kill Photoshop in Task Manager.

    I've had this happen in some versions of Premiere Pro.  After a while it just stopped happening and it went back to normal without me doing anything.

      K
      Katia5FDC
      Participant
      November 24, 2020
      But it doesn't even start. Like you click to open the program and nothing
      happens. At all.
        Peru Bob
        Community Expert
        Peru BobCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        November 24, 2020

        Create a new shortcut on the desktop and use that one.

        U
        Udainius
        Participant
        November 24, 2020

        I am having the same issue. This is extremely frustrating. Is there a solution that anyone has come up with?

          K
          Katia5FDC
          Participant
          November 20, 2020

          I have the same problem. I use Photoshop daily and I need to restart the computer every time I need to launch the program. Never had that issue before. Adobe you really need to fix this because it's a brand new laptop I have and you are forcing me to do way too many restarts. 

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