Elements Premier 2018 Photo Editor won't open

Forum|Forum|11 months ago
March 4, 2025
2 replies
163 views

The Photo Editor will not open on my Premier Elements 2018. I have used this software on this laptop but suddenly, it won't open. The error message states that I have exceeded the allowed number of devices. However, the Video Editor still opens as usual. I verified the serial number at Adobe and then re-downloaded and installed the software. Then got a message that the serial number that I just verified, is not a valid serial number. I have the Photography package from Adobe which is a subscribtion, but I own the PE 2018.

Problem or error

Greg_S.

Community Expert

The Photography Plan progams should have nothing to do with Elements.

Have you installed Photoshop Elements on more than one computer? Or perhaps the same computer with more than one OS (e.g. Win 10 and Win 11)? And are you sure that you are entering the correct serial number for PSE, and not for PRE?

If you still think that you have not exceeded the number of activations, try activating offline. Disconnect your computer from the internet and follow the instructions found in this article.

Greg_S.

Community Expert

Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements have two different license numbers.

Did you purchase both programs? If you only purchased Premiere Elements, the Organizer will work, but not the Photoshop Elements Editor.

You are entitled to activate both programs on two different devices. If you have activated the program on two devices previously, you need to deactivate it from one other device.

D

default4201vscufi2fAuthor

Participant

Yes, I purchased both in 2018 on a perpetual license. I also have a subscription to the Adobe Photography Plan which included Photoshop 2025. Could this be the reason my Elements won't open the Photo Editor? There are some guided features in Elements that I really like using that are not in PS 25. I have been using everything until recently when the Photo Editor in Elements would not open.

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