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Inspiring
July 29, 2025
Question

The gradient tool is all but usless

  • July 29, 2025
  • 1 reply
  • 185 views

I just spent over $5,000 on a new Macbook pro with maxed out processor and memory. Yet when I use the gradient tool in the latest version of Photoshop (26.8.1) it take forevever just to hand move a gradient. It is just about impossible to use. Sometime I think you guys could [removed by moderator] a one car funeral. Does NOONE bug check this stuff?

1 reply

Sameer K
Community Manager
Community Manager
July 29, 2025

Hey, @kd360. Welcome to the Photoshop Community. Congratulations on your new machine! I'll help you figure this out. Please share the system info from Photoshop Help > System info > Copy and paste into a text document > Upload and attach here.

 

Does it behave as mentioned after a specific set of steps? What troubleshooting steps have you tried already? Where do you keep the images/documents (Network Drive/ System HDD/ Shared Folder on System / External HDD)? Does this happen with a specific document, number of artboards, or smart objects? 

 

Try switching the Gradient from the Toolbar to Classic Gradient and check if this helps with responsiveness. 

 

Awaiting more info from you.

Thanks! 
Sameer K

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

kd360Author
Inspiring
July 29, 2025

Here is a screencap of what happens. It is impossible to use the gradient tool now.

Sameer K
Community Manager
Community Manager
August 1, 2025

Thanks for sharing the video. I can confirm the issue exists on Photoshop v26.9. Please try the latest Photoshop (beta) 26.10 (m.3166), the team has merged a fix. You can get Photoshop (beta) from the Creative Cloud desktop app > Apps Section > Beta Apps.

Let me know how it goes. 

Thanks! 

Sameer K