Skip to main content
Participant
July 17, 2015
Answered

Photoshop transform controls disappearing even though "show transform controls" is on [2015]

  • July 17, 2015
  • 9 replies
  • 81891 views

I was hunting around for ages because this new issue popped up where my transform controls would just... no longer show up. I could still move my image around but couldn't scale the image when selected. To fix this (without restarting photoshop) you will need to go into "freeze transform" mode. To do this the quick way, just hit ctr+t then up the top hit the little tick and they should reappear.

 

Hope that helps someone.

 

Liam the llama

Correct answer Jeff Arola

Or you have View>Extras unchecked.

9 replies

melissaw20356196
Participant
May 14, 2024

The CNTRL T works, but there is nothing to click to make them stay for good.  It's driving me up the wall.

jane-e
Community Expert
Community Expert
June 13, 2024

@melissaw20356196 

 

Some things have changed since 2015.

 

  • Ctrl+T is still the shorcut for Edit menu > Free transform
  • Show Transform Controls has been move to the cog wheel in the options bar for the Move tool

 

See how to use both here:

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/free-transformations-images-shapes-paths.html

 

Jane

 

lucillen46641511
Inspiring
May 6, 2022

I was having same issue. the TRANSFORM CONTROL was not showing up in the menu bar, when it used to.

i checked my MOVE tool and it was on DIRECT SELECTION TOOL....duhhhhhh, change it back to MOVE TOOL and it worked fine SMH lol

 

Inspiring
February 10, 2022

I have the same issue. "Show Transform Controls" is checked. "View > Extra" is checked. I can move the layer but cannot transform, as the handles don't appear. When I duplicate the layer, handles appear on copy. But not on the original one. Seems to be a bug. With the last update, the sticky issue was also re-introduced. Didn't have an issue since some time. When I move a layer and then let go, it then bounces back to the initial position, like it is connected to a rubber band. I don't know how many times it was solved in an update only to re-appear again. A real nuisance when your on a deadline.  

Participant
February 14, 2022

I had this issue for a while and through trying some of the above I found that I needed to check View > Show > Layer Edges. Now when I click on a layer, the transform controls show.

Participant
May 2, 2022

This is what finally worked for me - thanks Jim!

Participant
June 4, 2021

Still helping people in June 2021. Nice one!

Participant
May 25, 2021

Helped me!!!! Thank you!!!

Participant
July 17, 2020

This helped me.  Thank you so much @Liamthellama.  I know this post is 5 years old but it worked for me using Adobe Photoshop CC 2020.

Participant
April 10, 2021

It worked for me also. The other ideas did not though. 

Saved me so much time!

Jeff Arola
Community Expert
Jeff ArolaCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
July 17, 2015

Or you have View>Extras unchecked.

Participant
July 27, 2018

Thanks for that, was driving me crazy! Though it was a grouping issue.

:0)

Jeff Arola
Community Expert
Community Expert
July 17, 2015

Participant
July 17, 2015

Oh no no, in the heading of this thread I said even though "show transform controls" is on. Thats the issue. Even though thats ticked on they will disappear. You can click that on and off as much as you like they aren't going to return unless you go into freeze transform mode and out again.

Shayde48
Known Participant
August 8, 2021

Just happened to me, Perfect answer thank you so much!

Jeff Arola
Community Expert
Community Expert
July 17, 2015

Maybe you just need to check Show Transform Controls in the tool options for the Move Tool.

Participant
July 17, 2015

Next time it happens I'll try that one out as well,

Thanks for the tip