Illustrator keeps getting stuck on the Hand Tool

[Laura Paris]

My set up:

Illustrator 2025 (happens on my 2024 version as well)

Wacom Cintiq

Mac mini running M1 chip

Regardless of which tool I choose AND reguardless of whether I'm using my mouse or Wacom pen, it keeps switching to the hand tool. Smashing my space bar seems to undo it for a moment and then it comes back making work almost impossible.

I've seen many suggestions that it is my keyboard but it only happens in Illustrator and not when I am working in any other program which points to an Adobe issue.  I would certainly notice if my space bar were stuck in any other program.

Additional info: I purchased and downloaded brushes for Illustrator and shortly after adding them the problem started. Don't know if it's a coincidence.

[Srishti Bali]

Hi @Laura Paris

I'm sorry to hear about your experience—I understand how frustrating this can be. This issue is often linked to conflicts with third-party apps. Please review the suggestions provided on this page and let us know if they resolve the issue.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Regards,

Srishti

[Laura Paris]

Hi Srishti,
Thank you for your reply. I read through that entire thread before posting here. None of them worked which is why I decided to post as I am becoming increasing frustrated trying to get any work done.

I did not, nor do I have a third party app installed. I added a brush and some textures (which I purchased from a designer). Unless you are counting that as an app.

[Monika Gause]

Does that also happen withut the Wacom?

Do you have Magnet installed?

[Laura Paris]

Hi Monika,

Thank you for your reply. I have only ever worked on my tablet. It is a 24" an set up as my primary screen and have used it for over 3 years without this issue. I didn't even know what Manget was and had to look it up so I'm pretty sure I don't.

[Monika Gause]

There have been myriad issues with Illustrator on Wacom in recent years. So: does this also happen without the tablet?

[Laura Paris]

My Wacom Cintiq is also my screen so not using it is not an option.

[Laura Paris]

As an update, I have a second screen, moved Illustrator and still had the same issue.

[Filip Jenei]

Turn off magnet app was solution for me. Thank you

[Laura Paris]

Hi Monika, I wanted to update you to say that I turned of Magnet and rebooted and problem seems to be resolved. Thank you.

[Srishti Bali]

Thank you for confirming, Laura. I second the suggestion shared by Monika. However, if that's not an option, I would suggest launching the app in Safe Mode instead. If you haven’t already, could you please try starting your system in Safe Mode to see if that resolves the issue? You can follow the instructions provided here: How to use Safe Mode on your Mac.

Regards,

Srishti

[Laura Paris]

Srishti, I can confirm that while in safe mode there is no problem. As soon as I rebooted in normal mode, the problem was back.

[Laura Paris]

Also, there does seem to be an issue now trying to type on the wacom. I tried renaming a folder on my desktop while on my cintiq and it wouldn't let me type. I moved it to my other screen and it worked.

[Monika Gause]

Do you have Magnet installed on the Mac?

[sevdestruct]

Same issue. Hand tool locks and doesn't release for some delay. This is murdering workflow for us.

[sevdestruct]

I can confirm this is a problem or conflict with Magnet. The issue was instantly resolved when quitting Magnet, and this worked for me and one of my associates that also uses Magnet.

[Chris Corrado]

i had this problem too for 2 days now. drove me INSANE! and yes, killing magnet solved the problem...... 

[Laura Paris · Accepted solution]

SOLUTION: For Mac running Sonoma 14.6+, turn off Magnet.

>> Apple menu >> System Settings >> Privacy & Security >> Accessibility >> Magnet (toggle off)

Reboot your system.

[kcgmark]

So I've recently run into this issue as well. I've had Magnet installed for years and only with the most recent Illustrator update has this become an issue. I quit Magnet, as suggested, and Illustrator works again.  

This has been a problem with Illustrator for a long time. Quick Google search shows posts from 19 years ago with the SAME PROBLEM - Magnet wasnt even around then, so this is a bigger issue. I remeber a few years ago when you couldn't have Chrome and Illustrator open at the same tim. And why is Illustrator the only app in the Adobe collection that doesn't have a hide shortcut. This is ridiculous.

I've spent hours today looking for a solution because it renders Illustrator completely useless. 

This isn't free software. This is supossed to be "professional" software. If Adobe were a small company with limited resources, I could live with this. But they are neither. I don't care what the reason is, this should not happen.

Rather than fixing bugs like this Adobe decided they could simply make more money by hiring offshore developers at below minimum wage and switch to a subscription model that effectively forces everyone into "purchasing" every single update, even though there hasn't been one significant update for years... and I mean like 10 years.

Maybe the government should leave Google alone and go after Adobe and their monopoly.

Absolutely Ridiculous