P: Option key not working in/with Gradient Tool

[angryf84]

24.1

Mac OS Ventura 13.01

While using Gradient Tool the OPTION key doesn't sample colors like the eye dropper anymore.

Using the previous version of PSD on the same computer works fine

[J453]

I'm not able to reproduce this. The Option key temproarily turns the Gradient tool into the eyedropper tool and I can sample colors.

If you restore your preferences using this manual method does it work correctly?
https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/preferences.html#Manually
If that doesn't solve it, you can quit Photoshop and put the Settings folder back.

[Kevin Stohlmeyer]

Try going to Preferences/Tools and turning off "Spring-Loaded Tool Shortcuts"

[angryf84]

I've done the Manual removal of my Preferences as directed and have the same problem.

The older version of PSD does not have this problem on the same MacBook pro (16" intel i7)

I've done the 24.1 update on an older Macbook 15 runing Big Sur 11.7 and have the same problem.

Just to be sure... the Problem is when I have the Gradient tool selected i can't use the "option" key as a modifier to quickly access the eye droper.

[angryf84]

This didn't work either... IT's funny because while using the Grad tool the Command and Control keys both react.  The Option Key just doesn't respond. 

It does for every other tool I've tried so far just like normal.

I replicated this same beahariour on my older 15" as well

[TheDigitalDog]

I can replicate it on my end. No Eyedropper when using Option Key, and turning off "Spring Loaded Tools" doesn't change this. 

I then tried this on the PS beta; the key command did show up as sampling icon, then PS crashed. Repeatable too.

I have a crash log.

[Veronica23054182d1j3]

The Alt shortcut to sample the color while using the Gradient tool is not working anymore with the new Photoshop version 24.1.0.

Are there any methods to fix for this problem?
Thanks for all your help.

[Jeff Arola]

Adobe is aware of this:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-bugs/option-key-not-working-in-with-gradient-tool...

[lint69420597]

Just updated to 24.1 today on windows 10.  I'm really sad to find out that when in the gradient tool I can't press "alt" to color pick like I could before.  It's one of my favorite ways to quickly get a gradient in and now I need to manually change or go to the eye dropper tool with "I" to get a color, it's way more annoying.  Anyone have any idea why this could be or how I could revert it to the way it was before.  

[Jeff Arola]

It's a bug that wil get fixed, however, in the meantime you can use the Eyedropper Tool by pressing I then click to sample your color, release the mouse button then release the I key and you should be returned to the Gradient Tool.

[Lacanilladigital]

He actualizado hoy. Y al usar la herramienta Degradado(G) , no me deja elegir color "clickando ALT+BOTON IZQUIERDO"

Os pasa a alguno mas??

[Kevin Stohlmeyer]

This is a known bug and Adobe is working to resolve. 

https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-bugs/option-key-not-working-in-with-gradient-tool...

[Kevin Stohlmeyer]

@Jeff Arola your link goes back to this thread.

[Jeff Arola]

Kevin,

Yes that's because it was in another thread and got merged with this one.

You can delete this post and the other one if you want.

[Lacanilladigital]

A mi me iba bien hasta esta mañana que he actualizado.

[TheDigitalDog]

Lacanilladigital: I was doing well until this morning that I updated.

If you wish to roll back to an older version, use the Creative Cloud application, click on the three dots (...) and select “Other Versions”.

[ClaudiaR99]

I was able to reproduce this issue. Thank you for bringing it up to our attention. 

We'll advise as soon as it's fixed.

[Kaokao27587702mb4p]

更新后的alt键只能在画笔工具模式进行吸色，油漆桶和渐变工具模式下都丢失了原本该有的功能。我不确定这是否是bug，但是对我的使用体验带来了非常糟糕的感受！

[Kevin Stohlmeyer]

The issue with the eyedropper with the Gradient tool is a known issue on both Mac and Windows versions and a solution is being worked on.

https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-bugs/option-key-not-working-in-with-gradient-tool...

[ARTillery]

Photoshop 24.1
Was used to pick colors holding alt key while on different tools, now gradient tool does nothing when holding alt key, not sure if it is a bug or something was changed with the last update.

{Title edited by Moderator}

[Ranjisha Sengupta]

Hi there,

Thanks for reaching out.

We can reciprocate this in Windows 10. Have you any troubleshooting steps?

Try to reset the Gradient Tool and your preferences as a test.

You can try to reset the preferences of Photoshop using the steps mentioned here: https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/preferences.html#reset_preferences.

Please back up your settings prior to resetting the preferences.

You can check https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/preferences.html#BackupPhotoshoppreferences.

Could you please share the system info of Photoshop from Help > System info > Copy & paste into a text document > upload to Creative Cloud files (https://assets.adobe.com/files) and share with us?

Let us know how it goes.

Regards,

Ranjisha

[ARTillery]

@Ranjisha Sengupta Reseting the tool didn't work, here is the system info https://shared-assets.adobe.com/link/b666b98e-91e6-4e82-7a02-040e784e585a
Thank you!

[omerl92975443]

i used to pick the color while using Gradient Tool by clicking and holding the ALT key. now it doesnt work...

with the brush and bucket tool it works as usual, however with the gradient tool it doesnt 

does anybody know what is it?

thanx!

[wesstraub]

App version 24.1

Mac OS 12.5.1

As soon as I upgraded to latest version of Photoshop, the Option Modifier Key, which always brought up the Eyedropper tool, has stopped working on many tools including the Move and the Marquee tool.

Is this a bug or has it been changed? Hopefully just a bug...

[TheDigitalDog]

Known bug. 

[gener7]

According to this article: https://designshack.net/articles/software/ode-to-the-option-key-30-cool-option-key-shortcuts-in-phot...

"Holding Option while using the brush tool gives you a quick Eyedropper. This also works with the Gradient Tool and the Shape Tools."  No Eyedropper Tool for Move and Marquee Tools on MacOS, but it does work for Brush and other Tools listed.

It works on my 2015 Macbook Pro MacOS12.6.2 using Ps v24.1

Correction: Option does not bring up the Quick Eyedropper on the Gradient Tooland that has been reported as a bug.