Problems with selecting a Path / Direct Selection - Illustrator 29.4

[JthreeConcepts]

So I've been using Illustrator for over 22 years now, and only remember having this issue once before.

I've checked the forums, Google, and I found one person with this issue 5 years ago, but there was no solution found. I haven't been able to find someone with this exact issue yet. So either I'm searching for the wrong thing, or?

So I'm trying to select an object, and no matter what, Illustrator will select an object behind it unless I'm zoomed in very close to said object, for example:

 

I'm trying to select that shape inside the red circle, (that grey shape with a black outline). And no matter where I click on the outline or the shape directly... it selects the complex pattern behind it (which is actually multiple shapes behind it)

So no matter where I click on that grey shape, it tries to select the pattern below it.

All objects are unlocked, on the same layer, and in the same group.

It doesn't just do it for the pattern, it does it with a ton of other objects too. This is across multiple files saved on different versions of Illustrator.

I've tried changing the selection tolerance, object highlighting, I turned "Snap to point" off (on or off didn't help)
These are my current selection and anchor point settings, but I've tried almost every one of these, and I still have the same issue. I've even had object highlighting on, click on the object it has highlighted... and it still selects the object below.

Another example below, no matter where I click on that grey shape, it always selects that patern underneath, this is changing my selection tolerance all the way up to 5px, and no difference.

 

It's gotten to the point where it has drastically effected my workflow and efficiency having to zoom in so close everytime I want to select a simple shape.

Please help

[amelia_stav]

All of a sudden, my Adobe Illustrator is not selecting the top object.

This has been happening for the past week or so and on multiple files.

Attached previous shows outlined text under a simple solid box, when clicking on the box, the outlined lettering underneath is selected.

[creative explorer]

@amelia_stav this weird unexpected issue where selection seems to be "stuck" on underlying objects is often caused by corrupted or misconfigured preference files. Go ahead and reset your preferences.  Command K (MAC) or Control K (PC)

[tomaszk68684780]

same bug on 29.7 resetting prefs seems to work 

[Doug A Roberts]

From reading around this may be a bug in version 29.4:

Direct Selection tool selects anchors below objects – Adobe Illustrator

Can you test whether the 'Highlight anchors on mouse over' option in selection preferences affects it?

[StudioMacKay]

There seems to be a bug with the new Illustrator 2025. When there is an image on the artboard, the direct selection tool doesn't select the anchor points to a shape.

See video - https://www.loom.com/share/8f77a0ca83184892a54cfd9abc3dab2a?sid=05e09ebb-1089-4685-8f34-b940b78fe9ba

Once the image is removed it works again, or if the shape is put into a new file. This is a headache. Please fix.

Work around - use Illustrator 2024 until fixed.

[Anubhav M]

Hello @StudioMacKay,

I have escalated this with the product team, and they are currently investigating it. For now, please try reverting to an earlier version of Illustrator (https://adobe.ly/3RBZhoO) as Ton suggested, and let us know if it helps.

Additionally, kindly upvote the UserVoice for this
(https://adobe.ly/42lIrj5)
(https://adobe.ly/42tqShj) and add your comments there.

Doing this will help us prioritize this request, and you will be notified of any updates.

Feel free to reach out if you have more questions or need assistance. We'd be happy to help.
Anubhav

[Terry29388558n1d4]

I have been having the same problem for the last weel or two!

[Anubhav M]

Hello everyone,

Our team has tried fixing this in the latest Illustrator (beta) release. Would you mind updating to/installing Illustrator 29.6.57 (beta) and checking if it helps resolve the problem?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Anubhav

[christinaa60369612 · Accepted solution]

I've been having the same issue. Just upgraded to 29.6.57 (beta) and the problem is resolved. Can once again select and move individual anchor points with the Direct Selection Tool.

[Terry29388558n1d4]

It looks like it fixed that problem.

[JthreeConcepts]

Anubhav,

Looks like it fixed it in the Beta yes.
Thank  you.

[Pariah Burke]

....

[JthreeConcepts]

Since the Beta install and uninstall, and now the new version of Illustrator installation, I can't preview .AI files in the Illustrator preview panel. It's honestly why I don't like installing and unistallaing different versions of Illustrator, because something always get screwed up like this. I remember having this issue on an older system and never being able to resolve it.

.AI file is saved with PDF compatibility

[Anubhav M]

Hello @JthreeConcepts,

Would you mind trying Adobe Bridge (https://adobe.ly/3Amvewi) to manage/organize your files and let us know if it helps?

Looking forward to hearing from you.
Anubhav

[KLYPTO]

Is there some new bug now that has the direct selction tool behaving like the group selection tool??? I just want to drag and select certain points. Its apearing to select certain points only for the entite vector to in the end be selected entirely selected and moved as well...

[christinaa60369612]

Same. The move to Beta was temporarily a fix but it's started happening again (selecting more than one node and moving them with the mouse results in the whole vector being moved rather than just the initially selected nodes.). Note: this only happens for me when I use the mouse to try to move the nodes. It doesn't seem to occur when I use the arrow keys.

[Anubhav M]

Hello @christinaa60369612, @KLYPTO,

Could you share more details, like the version of the OS/Illustrator installed, whether Illustrator behaves this way with all files, whether you're using your mouse/tablet/pen, and a small screen recording of the problem, so I can better assist you?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Anubhav

[defaultgl13s28sa4rs]

I am having the same issue. Just updated to V29.7.1, and my anchor points will not connect. 

[Anubhav M]

Hello @defaultgl13s28sa4rs,

I'm sorry to hear about your experience. Could you confirm the version of the OS/Illustrator installed, and share a small screen recording of the problem, so we can better assist you?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Anubhav

[Katelyn26713595segr]

Having the same issue starting suddenly today. Trying to select a rectangle with the selection tool (V), but it keeps selecting either the larger rectangle below, or even weirder selecting text that is nearby but not even overlapping. The most annoying was trying to select a pinline, and it would select literally everything else nearby instead of the line. Nothing was locked in either case. I eventually just removed the pinline from my design because the problem was so frustrating. I tried resetting preferences several times, installed the most recent update (29.8.1), and the problem persists. What is going on?

[Anubhav M]

Hello @Katelyn26713595segr,

I'm sorry to hear you're having similar trouble with Illustrator. Could you confirm the version of the OS/Illustrator installed, and share a small screen recording of the problem, so we can better assist you?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Anubhav