Skip to main content
ben_taylor_85993088
Known Participant
Jan 29, 2026 11:23 AM UTC
Question

Re-edit gradient tool in photoshop

If I draw a gradient tool on a layer, it is re-editable until I do something else with some other tool. But if I click off it, and come back to it, I can’t then re-edit the gradient because the on-screen indicator doesn’t come back.

 

If I re-click the layer mask, and use the gradient tool again, it doesn’t have the gradient tool’s indicator (the bar with two circles at either end)  on the screen, and thus if I click anywhere on the screen, it replaces it with a new one rather than letting me re-edit the existing one.

 

It should show the bar with two circles at either end indicating the gradient when I click on the layer mask that has the gradient fill.

 

I seem to vaguely recall there is a ‘reset tool’ option that brings it back but I can’t find it now.

 

Can anyone help please? If you don’t know what I mean let me know and I’ll elaborate with a video but am hoping that describes it.

 

 

    13 replies

    Celine_Ayt
    Participating Frequently
    Jan 29, 2026 1:52 PM UTC

    Have you tried selecting the layer and pressing the G key ? This should make the gradient tool appear.

    Translate
    ben_taylor_85993088
    Known Participant
    Jan 29, 2026 1:54 PM UTC

    cheers I’ll try that next time I get it

     

    Translate
    Sameer K
    Community Manager
    Community Manager
    Jan 29, 2026 12:45 PM UTC

    Hey, ​@ben_taylor_85993088. Welcome to the Photoshop Community. I'll help you figure this out. We'll need specific workflow info to be sure. Please share a video of the issue and the system info from Photoshop Help > System Info. Copy and paste it into a text document, then upload and attach it here.

     

    As a test, try these steps:

    1—Go to Photoshop > Settings > Performance > Advanced Settings > Disable/uncheck GPU Compositing & restart Photoshop. 

    2—Please test and confirm if Photoshop (Beta) has an issue. You can get Photoshop (Beta) from the Creative Cloud > Apps tab > Beta Apps section. 

     

    Thanks! 
    Sameer K

    (Type '@' and type my name to mention me when you reply)

    Translate
    ben_taylor_85993088
    Known Participant
    Jan 29, 2026 1:34 PM UTC

    annoyingly I can’t reproduce it now

    Translate
    Ged_Traynor
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    Jan 29, 2026 11:29 AM UTC

    ​@ben_taylor_85993088 you can reset the tools from here

     

    Translate
    ben_taylor_85993088
    Known Participant
    Jan 29, 2026 11:31 AM UTC

    I haven’t got that option, I’ve only got this:

     

     

    Translate
    ben_taylor_85993088
    Known Participant
    Jan 29, 2026 11:33 AM UTC

    oh sorry in the one to the left I have.

    But even then it doesn’t come back

     

     

    Translate