Cannot move selected objects in Illustrator

[aliceinthemiddle]

I'm using Illustrator CS5.5.

I cannot move anything I select. I try to drag it and it makes the "bump" noise. 

-I made sure that my preferences are not set to "object selection by path only".

-I've restarted my computer several times

-I tried to open a previous Illustrator file and I have the same problem

-I even uninstalled and reinstalled my entire Abode Suite beacuse I've been having several issues

I'm not sure if this is related but I also can't create a new document unless I use picas and CMYK coloring. It refuses to adjust to anything other than the default settings. Also, I can't increase the stroke of an object unless I type in the number, meaning I can't use the arrows for adjustment.

So basically I am having a ton of problems and even reinstalling the program didn't fix them.

Help please.

[Monika Gause]

tiffanya49747929 schrieb:

Has anyone figured out a solution?!!!! UGH its so annoying! I need to work and I don't have time to move things with my arrow keys!

Most people are able to use their arrow keys so any solution needs to be found in your individual system set up. You might want to tell us about it. Also: when did this start to happen?

[kazmology]

This is literally the most annoying thing in the world, uuurgh. I have to work and now this happens.

Please let me know if there are actual causes to this and what the working solutions are. Thaaanks

[Monika Gause]

kazmology schrieb:

I have to work and now this happens.

Please tell us what exactly happens.

[kazmology]

This morning I was using Illustrator and InDesign preparing a presentation for my meeting and it just stopped. I couldn't move and objects using my mouse and the select button, only by the arrow keys. I thought my computer was tired and it would be fine when I came home after work - No change when I returned. This was after a reboot and a few restarts tot he program. I need to do design work tonight and I simply do not have time to reinstall my software.

This is obviously a very common problem, Adobe cannot simply suggest reinstalling the software in every case.

[Monika Gause]

OK. I know that problem. Actually experienced that myself.

I could only permanently solve this with a complete reinstallation unfortunately. Like you I didn't want that, but actually it cured it.

Use the Adobe Cleaner tool inbetween uninstall and reinstall.

[sgkirk]

Try saving one large file into several smaller files OR replace giant embedded files with linked files OR replace giant embedded files with smaller sized files. Not preferable for a long term solution, (you might want to upgrade your computer) but this has fixed the issue for me when I have had that happen...

[tobiasb45643019]

I had a similar problem on my Mac when trying to move objects. In my case it helped to simply disconnect my drawing board.

[kazmology]

It eventually comes right; no need to reinstall. Just sit right for a couple of restarts. Took me a day to recover

[atomic sponge]

I had the same problem and nothing worked until I selected the item and clicked 'expand appearance' and it worked.

[PZ Prepress]

I was having the same problem. I zoomed clear out so I could see the edges of the "drawing area" and noticed some "handles on the edges. I used my white arrow and selected and deleted them. After that, I was able to move the objects on my artboard with no problem.

[OctaviusIII]

Just had this problem myself. Still unresolved. I will reinstall shortly and post an update. Before then, however, I wanted to dig a bit more into what this might be, and I think it has to do with how Illustrator interfaces with the mouse and keyboard:

• If I restart Illustrator, I can click and drag until I use my keyboard for anything.
• If my first use of the keyboard is to hold down alt while dragging an object, immediately the object freezes in place. Weirdly, the interface still thinks I'm dragging something (the cursor doesn't change), but the alt doesn't register and the object is stuck in place.
• Once the error appears, it seems as though mouse clicks interrupt themselves somehow. For example, if I hold down ctrl while clicking with the direct selection tool (so that it transforms back into the selection tool), each click causes the cursor to flash back to direct selection for a split second, and vice versa.
• A complication to this theory is that clicking and dragging using a shape tool to manipulate a pre-existing shape does seem to work even after the error appears.
• A further oddity is that alt-tabbing away and back to Illustrator after the first use of the keyboard (sometimes it takes a couple of tries) seems to reset the problem: click and drag works again until I use the keyboard. However, if I've used the keyboard a few times already the alt-tab trick doesn't always reset the problem.
• The final oddity is that pressing the Windows key twice resets the problem, too.

This is clearly a persistent bug in multiple versions of Illustrator, as I've found mention of it going as far back as 2008. I'm curious why it hasn't been discovered and fixed at some point by the debug team. That said, I have no idea how to reproduce this error so I can instruct the bug team on how to fix it.

Windows 10 (1511 (OS build 10586.545))

Illustrator 2015.2 (Version 19)

[ramis85927975]

I found the solution...
I have no idea what the hack happend, and why is it working like that now..
but if you wanna drag an object, try by dragging from the center of the object.
yes, hover your mouse over the center and drag... it should work.

I wish there is another solution out there...
Cheers!

[jasoncdu]

super frustrating .. it just seems like the object is locked and the window DING sounds whenever i try to move it.

[fi1900]

I'm having the same problem? Has this been fixed? Driving me crazy!!

[OctaviusIII]

It has not, but a reinstall of Adobe should do it AFTER uninstalling the offending program Revo Uninstall. Revo erases all traces of the program from your computer so you can be sure what you're installing is totally clean and fresh. Upgrades to your program should also work - I just upgraded to a new Illustrator and that fixed my problem.

Also, BEFORE you uninstall, for the sake of bug reporting, is my description of the problem above accurate for you, too? Is there anything else you notice about the issue, and any idea about when or how it started?

[llinxX]

Hi

Looks like a version of the problem's nature - In Illustrator, I can't move objects by dragging them - Super User

[onebleep · Accepted solution]

@ramis85927975 is correct the temporary fix is to hover with your cursor over the center of the object (blue tiny square) and then click drag. It's almost like the mouse doesn't pick up the pixels of the image.

I've also tried all the other suggestions and this is all that is working for now.

[georgialouised]

The toggle for Bounding boxes is Cmd + Shift + B. See if it works. It worked for me when I couldn't move the objects.

[Captivating_wisdom157F]

I have been trying to resolve this for two days. It is seriously impeding my work. I have tried everything with no luck. I did try to restart my computer in safe mode and guess what? My illustrator works! But the next question is....WHY? Anyone have suggestions as to what could be done in normal start up to fix it? It must be conflicting with something. I just don’t know what! My next step is to try restarting in safe mode with networking on. See if it still works. I will let you know.

[Captivating_wisdom157F]

With networking it still worked

[Captivating_wisdom157F]

I restarted and with nothing but illustrator open it seems to be working fine.  I opened up chrome and.....still working. Opened up photoshop as well....my normal workflow...and now it all works again. There is a conflict somewhere.

[BCM-MSY]

I have not seen this mentioned, but it happened to me.

The problem can be caused by a toggle setting in the View Menu—which can be switched by accident using keystrokes.

1. Go to the View pull-down menu.
2. Look for either "Hide Edges" or "Show Edges."
3. If the phrase is "Show Edges," select it so that the code will toggle the view to show the edges of each object, and you'll be able to select each object.

[HipINC]

I was having the same problem, and it turned out to be my wireless mouse. Worked fine when I used my laptop's track pad.

[eraxtyledesign]

THIS IS THE REASON WHY I AM STARTING TO really go back to my CS5, I had this issue so many times, I lost count!! it comes and goes, the easy one is reinstalling it, but it does NOT mean it is fixed and never is going to come back. THAT IS NOT THE CASE, This WILL COME BACK, so if you find a fix, copy paste to your desktop because you are going to need it AGAIN and AGAIN.

I tried everything I have a PC, Win 10 PRO, 64-bit OS, Intel Core i5, 32GB RAM, 3.2GHZ, 12TB HD updated up to date

Adobe CC really sucks when you need it.

Still looking for the Holy Grail of Illustrator CC AKA "FIXING THIS ISSUE ONCE FOR ALL"

I'll be honest, the only way i deal with this when happens, is going back to CS5 (I am glad i did not uninstalled, Best decision ever)

THEN THE WINDOWS BOX APPEAR,

WILL YOU RECOMMEND THIS SOFTWARE TO YOUR FRIENDS........

HECK NOT!!!!

[rhalaquist]

I know it has been awhile since a post here but I had found help for me. Currently using Illustrator CC 2019 -  I had a few programs opened one being Photoshop.... which had a lot going on - solution was closed everything I had opened except for browser, re-opened Illustrator and all was good - hope this helps for others in the past/present or future.