Skip to main content
RBurgett57
RBurgett57
Inspiring
December 18, 2023
Question

Zoom Tool icon changes

  • December 18, 2023
  • 3 replies
  • 1563 views

This has been happening for several versions of Illustrator, but after working in a file for a while, my zoom tool will suddenly show the Selection tool black arrow icon instead of the magnifying glass icon.

I'm currently running Mac OSX 13.6, and Illustrator Version 28.

As I said this has been happening for several versions, over the last year. If I quit Illustrator and then restart it, it's fine again for a while, and then it will suddenly revert to this behavior.

Any ideas about a fix for this? Has anyone else seen this happen?

3 replies

R
Ryan28356214kr64
New Participant
March 18, 2025

Did you ever find a fix for this as I'm running inot the same issue and it's super frustrating.

    RBurgett57
    RBurgett57Author
    Inspiring
    March 18, 2025

    No I didn't. The only remedy I've had so far is to restart Illustrator.

    A
    Community Manager
    Anubhav MCommunity Manager
    Community Manager
    March 28, 2025

    Hello @RBurgett57, @Ryan28356214kr64,

     

    Could you try running Illustrator under Safe Mode (Windows / macOS) and disabling any window managers/plugins if enabled and checking if it helps?

    If the problem persists, kindly share the system report (https://adobe.ly/3Y88FEl) and a small screen recording of the problem, so I can check it with the team.

    Looking forward to hearing from you.

     

    Anubhav

    Mike_Gondek10189183
    Mike_Gondek10189183
    Community Expert
    December 19, 2023

    What year is your mac.  I have a simialr issue when I use a hot key to switch tools in Photoshop.

     

    Hold down the spacebar, then add the command key in that order, do you switch to magnify tool?

    RBurgett57
    RBurgett57Author
    Inspiring
    December 19, 2023

    It's a 2019 Mac Pro. It doesn't matter if I use a command key or select the tool in the toolbar. Switching is not an issue. The icon  showing incorrectly is a problem. There are times that I think I am selecting an object or  point and it zooms instead because the wrong tool icon is showing.

    As for working in safe mode, that will reaquire me to work for hours in safe mode. Not something that I can do right now.

    I can't nail down a pattern of when or how this occurs. It seems random. It might take several hours of working in a file for it to happen, and it might happen within the first half hour or so.

    Anshul_Saini
    Community Manager
    Anshul_SainiCommunity Manager
    Community Manager
    December 21, 2023

    Hello @RBurgett57,

     

    Thank you for providing additional details. I understand that working in Safe Mode for an extended period is not feasible. Let's try a different approach.

     

    When the issue occurs next time, could you please capture a screenshot of the Illustrator interface showing the incorrect Zoom Tool icon? Additionally, if you notice any patterns or specific actions leading up to this behavior, that information could be valuable.

     

    To gather more information and help diagnose the issue, could you please provide details on the following:

    • Does the Zoom Tool icon always change to the same incorrect icon, or does it vary?
    • Check the background applications running when the issue occurs. Try closing them one by one to see if any specific application triggers the problem.
    • Consider upgrading your macOS to the latest version if feasible, as newer updates may include fixes for compatibility issues.
    • Confirm if you are using any third-party plugins or extensions with Illustrator. Disabling them one by one and testing might help identify if any specific extension is causing the problem.
    • Have you tried resetting Illustrator preferences? If not, you can try that as well. Keep in mind that resetting preferences will restore Illustrator to its default settings.

    Your cooperation in providing this additional information will assist in narrowing down the possible causes and finding a suitable solution.

     

    Thank you,

    Anshul Saini

    A
    Community Manager
    Anubhav MCommunity Manager
    Community Manager
    December 18, 2023

    Hello @RBurgett57,

    Sorry to hear about your experience. Would you mind trying to run Illustrator under Safe Mode (Windows / macOS) and checking if it helps?

    Looking forward to hearing from you.

     

    Thanks,

    Anubhav

    Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
    Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices