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Photoshop won't allow editing of jpg image files

Forum|Forum|9 days ago
June 2, 2026
3 replies
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I am trying to edit jpg image files from a recent trip, but while Photoshop allows me to open the jpg, it won't then allow me to use any of the editing tools (apart from the crop function).

I also found that Photoshop will not allow me to edit some older jpg images, including some that had previously already been edited in Photoshop without issue!

If anyone has any suggestions or ideas on how to resolve this matter, I would really appreciate it.

Thanks for your help.

Correct answer D Fosse

At this point I’d do a complete and clean uninstall-reinstall, wiping all preferences in the process.

Most likely it’s the preferences, but there’s also a possibility of a corrupt install. So I’d do both in one go. Save out all your custom actions and brushes first.

Settings and preferences contain a lot more than your own user settings. It’s the whole application configuration, including lots of hidden and system-dependent parameters. Corrupt preferences tend to look like application bugs, and are usually mistaken for that. Since preferences are rewritten on every application shutdown, they are vulnerable to corruption from crashes and irregular shutdowns.

jane-e

Community Expert

@rexb11245250 wrote: I also reinstalled PS

Two of us have mentioned resetting preferences, and I just want to clarify that reinstalling is not the same thing. See this page for details:

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/desktop/get-started/settings-and-preferences/reset-preferences.html

Also (to clarify) are you using Brightness/Contrast from the Image menu or the Adjustment panel?

What are your versions of Photoshop and your OS?

Jane

rexb11245250Author

Participant

Hi, I reset the preferences as you detailed, but then I also did a complete reinstall (I know, this is overkill). And things appear to be back to normal now.

I really appreciate your time and helpful advice, and it is a great relief to have things working again - I have just returned from a trip with several hundred image files to deal with, so it really is good news to have it restored!

D Fosse

Correct answer

Community Expert

At this point I’d do a complete and clean uninstall-reinstall, wiping all preferences in the process.

Most likely it’s the preferences, but there’s also a possibility of a corrupt install. So I’d do both in one go. Save out all your custom actions and brushes first.

Settings and preferences contain a lot more than your own user settings. It’s the whole application configuration, including lots of hidden and system-dependent parameters. Corrupt preferences tend to look like application bugs, and are usually mistaken for that. Since preferences are rewritten on every application shutdown, they are vulnerable to corruption from crashes and irregular shutdowns.

rexb11245250Author

Participant

Hi, thanks for helping me. I reset the preferences, but I also did a full reinstall as you suggest. Thankfully this seems to have removed the problem. Thanks again for your helpful advice.

jane-e

Community Expert

@rexb11245250

Which specific editing tool are you try to use, and what happens when you try?

If it were me, the first thing I would do is to reset the options for all tools. Options are sticky, meaning they work across time and across documents until they are changed.

Right-click the Move tool (or any tool) in the options bar (not the Toolbar) and choose Reset All Tools.

Try this and let us know if it works. If not, then you may need to reset preferences after backing up, but let’s look for a simple solution first.

Jane

rexb11245250Author

Participant

Hi, Thanks for your reply. The tools I hope to use are those to slightly adjust contrast, exposure etc., but there is no response when I try to use them. For some reason, the crop function still works.

I tried the Reset All Options for the tools, but it hasn’t made a difference. I also reinstalled PS, but again it hasn’t changed the situation. Any suggestions are gratefully received!

R

rexb11245250Author

Participant

Sorry, cancel my comment about the crop tool still working - it doesn’t, at least on jpgs.

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