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2

Illustrator Stuck on Hand Tool cursor/ icon after launch

Community Beginner ,
Apr 12, 2024 Apr 12, 2024

My hand tools get stuck when starting  illustrator. When I try to change them it doesn't work. I can't continue working like this. Does anyone know how to solve this. My system and programs are up to date

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correct answers 1 Correct answer

Community Beginner , Mar 04, 2025 Mar 04, 2025

I just encountered the same issue in March 2025. I'm a bit late in helping with the original post, but for anyone facing this in the future, try SHIFT + SPACEBAR. That solved it for me!

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Adobe Employee ,
Apr 12, 2024 Apr 12, 2024

Hi @Greisi36553068md9p,

 

It sounds like the hand tool getting stuck might be due to third-party interference with keyboard shortcuts. It's possible another app has taken over the spacebar key, making it act as the hand tool. Try booting in Safe Mode (MacWindows), then launch Illustrator first and slowly open other apps to find the culprit.

 

Let me know if this helps!

 

Best,

Anshul Saini

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Community Beginner ,
Apr 12, 2024 Apr 12, 2024

Hi Anshul,

 

Thank you for your help, I will try it and let you now!

 

Best,

Greisi!

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Community Expert ,
Apr 12, 2024 Apr 12, 2024

Is your keyboard stuck?

What happens when you reboot the computer and then launch only Illustrator, nothing else. Not your browser, not your email, nothing.

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Community Beginner ,
Apr 12, 2024 Apr 12, 2024

Hey Monika,

 

My keyboard works and I try to shift the hand tool but it dosen't change. Also the Illustrator works for a while but than the hand tool appears again.

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Community Expert ,
Apr 12, 2024 Apr 12, 2024

Here is a list of apps that interfere with the keys:

 

  • WebRoot
  • Apple Terminal
  • Word, Excel, Powerpoint
  • »Enable Full Keyboard« in Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard on Mac OS
  • Apple Mail, Outlook
  • Spacebar is used as a shortcut by the system
  • Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari
  • Wacom Desktop Center, Wacom settings
  • Windows Touch Pad problem
  • LastPass, Bitwarden (password managers)
  • The VPN
  • LangSwitcher app (it needs to be closed and disabled)
  • Notes
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Community Beginner ,
Dec 06, 2024 Dec 06, 2024

This is so infurating. Nothing I do fixes it. 

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Community Beginner ,
Dec 06, 2024 Dec 06, 2024

I'm on an M1 MacBook Pro. All apps are up to date. This app is unusable and it's my job. WTF. 

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Community Expert ,
Dec 06, 2024 Dec 06, 2024

Do you have anything from the list I posted above?

Or do you have Display Pilot? Magnet?

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New Here ,
Jan 22, 2025 Jan 22, 2025

Magnet, that's what it was for me

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Community Beginner ,
Dec 11, 2024 Dec 11, 2024

I'm having the same issue.

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Community Beginner ,
Dec 11, 2024 Dec 11, 2024

I figured it out on my end. I tried quitting other apps and the one causing the problem was Magnet.app. I quit the app and the hand tool stopped getting stuck. I don't know if you have this app running but if you do quit the app and see if that works for you.

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Community Beginner ,
Mar 04, 2025 Mar 04, 2025

I just encountered the same issue in March 2025. I'm a bit late in helping with the original post, but for anyone facing this in the future, try SHIFT + SPACEBAR. That solved it for me!

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New Here ,
May 08, 2025 May 08, 2025

Thank you, thats it!!!

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New Here ,
May 21, 2025 May 21, 2025
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Brilliant!! What a pain that has been 😞

 

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