Eyedropper tool missing

[DRock22]

Wondering if anyone else is having this issue with the latest Illustrator update (25.1) on windows 10. 
My eyedropper tool is completely gone. When I go to edit the toolbar, the eyedropper tool does not show up in the list. I can't even use the keyboard shortcut to activate it. 

[LIC5EFC]

Same problem!

[Jackson5C86]

To restore the Eyedropper tool as the default one in your InDesign, just open the program, without a document open. Then in your Tools bar, choose the eyedropper. it will stay as the default for future files you start. (Click on the big ID logo at left below the menu bar to open ID with no document).

[DRock22]

This is for Illustrator. 

[HeatherS87]

I'm in contact with Esko Support, if they come up with a solution, I'll pass along the information here.

[DRock22]

You're the best! Thank you! 

[HeatherS87]

I was just informed by Esko Support that they have been able to duplicate the problem on one of their own machines. Support has now escalated the issue to the R&D department. (I'm assuming that means it is now with people able to manipulate the code as needed.)

[milesh63228915]

Same issue here, with Esko installed

[DeadMoroz1]

This is ridiculous! How on Earth you can lose an essential tool after updating your software? Not a cheap one for that matter. It's a couple of weeks now and nothing is fixed. The only option is to revert to older version. Adobe, fix it please! 

[HeatherS87]

If you'll read some of the comments above, this is not an Adobe problem. This is an Esko plug-in problem. I'm in contact with Esko support and have a meeting later today to trouble shoot some things with their R&D department. 

If you are NOT running any Esko plug-ins in Illustrator, then I suggest contacting Adobe support.

[DeadMoroz1]

Seems like I have to aplogize to Adobe and blame Esko instead. It's their DeskPack plug-ins which cause this annoying problem. Sorry Adobe!

[HeatherS87]

Okay, they have a work around that we've tested now on 3 different computers.

There will be a fix most likely in the next version. However, if you all want to help speed the process along, you can contact ESKO support and let them know that you're having the same problem. If they realise this is a universal issue, they may fix it faster.

The work-around is as follows.

1. Update to Illustrator 25.1 if you haven't already. (Test and see if the eyedropper tool disappears after opening, closing, and opening Illustrator 25.1. If it does disappear, close Illustator.)

2. Open a folder on your desktop, navigate to "This PC" then the Windows (C:) drive.
3. Got to Program Files -- Adobe -- Adobe Illustrator 2021 -- Plug-ins -- Esko -- Data Exchange -- Inspection Setup

4. Delete the .aip file in the Inspection Setup folder. (Should be just one file in there.)

5. Open Illustrator 25.1 (if in Basic view, you may need to navigate to the eyedropper tool in the "Modify:" section of All Tools then click and drag the tool where you want it on your toolbar).

[HeatherS87 · Accepted solution]

I can't upload their PDF file with instructions, so I'm uploading a jpg of it, and including the text from the workaround here.

The mentioned plugins reside in C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Illustrator 2021\Plugins\
Esko\Data Exchange\Inspection Setup and C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe
Illustrator 2021\Plug-ins\Esko\Notes

[milesh63228915]

This worked for me - Thanks so much!!!!!

[HeatherS87]

Hi all,

I received some new information from Esko. After drilling down on the issue, they found out it IS an Adobe bug!
Esko has developed the above workaround, and is putting something in their next update of the plugins as well. They also says that Adobe should be fixing the problem in one of the upcoming updates for Illustrator. 😃

It's funny, there's a dozen or more tools that I almost never use, and if they'd gone missing, I never would have know... Oh well, yay for having both my Regmark tool and the eyedropper tool available!

- Cheers

[DRock22]

I can't thank you enough for all your hard work on this. Is Adobe or Esko paying you? They should be! 🙂  

[HeatherS87]

LOL! Right?! Next time I'll have to negotiate a good rate for myself.

BTW, the Illustrator 25.2 update seems to be working well, at least I haven't noticed anything disappearing, and I've closed and opened it a few times now. Hopefully Adobe fixed whatever they did that messed up some stuff for 3rd party developers. 😃

[Armel5DF4]

It worked for me too !!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH !!!!

I work with V25.3.1 and the Eyedropper tool disappearded too when I installed ESKO plug-in, you saved me !!!!

[reneeh69484350]

Thank you thank you thank you thank you!!! 

[twister7276]

I had the same problem!
Thank you very much. This also works for 25.2.
Thanks again!

[Kean5C35]

I'm recently updated to 25.2 and the eyedropper tool is missing again!
I'll explore the ESKO plugin situation.. so funny that it's a very niche packaging situation..
Just wanted to post, as it is still happening! Thought I was going crazy.

[HeatherS87]

@MySaf Were you able to find and delete the .aip file when you went to the Inspection Setup folder?
Found here--- C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Illustrator 2021\Plugins\Esko\Data Exchange\Inspection Setup

If not, maybe this path will work. (I do not have a Notes folder on my computer, but maybe others do.)
C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Illustrator 2021\Plug-ins\Esko\Notes

[Package2Package]

I have recently updated to 25.2.1 and has Esko plugins installed. Yep, eyedropper tool is missing here too and shortcut doesn't work. Your solution worked for me.

I quited illustrator, removed InspectionSetup_WAI25r.aip from

C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Illustrator 2021\Plug-ins\Esko\Data Exchange\Inspection Setup

and restarted illustrator.

Now Eyedropper is back even without resetting tools. 

Thank you very much.

[andys17762500]

Thank you for the solution! 

I just installed the Esko plugin the other day, and low and behold the eyedropper went AWOL.  Still.  July 20, 2021.

Although Esko claims it to be Adobe according to the rest of this thread, I'm guessing Adobe is blaming Esko!  So, nothing has beed fixed! 

[DRock22]

You are awesome! 

[Image212]

Same. It is a very important tool for it to be missing. It needs to be fixed ASAP!!