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Participant
August 1, 2025
Answered

Unable to open contextural task bar

  • August 1, 2025
  • 1 reply
  • 186 views

At some point in the past, I turned off the contextural task bar. I now need access to it, but have not been able to get it to appear in the workspace. I opened the window menu, and the task bar is checked and highlighted, but no panel appears. 

I'm using OS 14.7.4 on an Apple M3 w/16 GB, and version 26.4.0 of Photoshop

Correct answer David37241589xm48

Hi @David37241589xm48,


Thanks for checking what Jane suggested regarding multiple monitors. Since the Task Bar still isn’t appearing, let’s try the following steps:
 • Please update Photoshop to version 26.10 (the most recent release) through the Creative Cloud Desktop app.
 • Have you already tried resetting your Photoshop preferences as Alek suggested? If not, please do so after backing up your current settings. Instructions here: https://adobe.ly/4fHl7m2


 If the issue persists, could you share your System Info from Photoshop? You’ll find it under Help > System Info. Please copy and paste it here.
 Another step to try is renaming the UXP folder:
 • On macOS, go to /Library/Application Support/Adobe/
 • Rename the UXP folder to ~UXP
 • Restart Photoshop and check if the Contextual Task Bar reappears.


Let us know how it goes after trying these steps.


Regards,

Anshul Saini


Hello Anshul,
Thank you for your extensive reply. I ran the software Uninstall utility
and downloaded a fresh copy. That took care of the problem.
Be well,
David

1 reply

Community Manager
August 1, 2025

Hi @David37241589xm48! Welcome to the community!

As a first step, could you try resetting your Photoshop preferences and see if that makes a difference?

It might also help to update to the latest version (26.9) and check if the same issue pops up there. Let us know how it goes!

Thanks so much,
Alek

*(If you mention me with an @, like @Aleke, I’ll get a notification and can respond faster.)*
jane-e
Community Expert
Community Expert
August 1, 2025

@David37241589xm48 

 

Any chance you have two monitors? Sometimes panels will be in the second monitor, even if it is unplugged. 

 

Jane

 

Participant
August 5, 2025
Yes, I have two monitors.... the task bar is not appearing in either.