P: Photoshop 26.11 freeze at launch on Reading Brushes & Building Color Conversion Tables

[Ged_Traynor]

Just installed version 26.11 on Windows 10 and Photoshop is freezing on reading brushes, have already tried manually resetting the preferences, uninstalling version 26.11 and deleting the Adobe Photoshop 2025 folder from the appdata folder, reinstall version 26.11 same issue.

Reverted back to version 26.10, and it's working fine.

[Ged_Traynor]

@pznnnx maybe this is related to your issue, but as Alex said without more information it's really hard to help you

https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-bugs/p-photoshop-26-11-freeze-at-launch-on-readin...

[adamt18510785]

I think it's pretty clear Adobe pushed out yet another update without testing it thoroughly. I'd put money on this being a memory leak on startup with people who have lots of brushes and advanced GPUs. 
Going through a series of holding Shift/open, Shift/alt/Ctrl/Open will get working for me

[default464541607uh4re]

Při spuštění se kouše

[MratajczakPhotography]

Yes, just have to forget about this update. Wait until the next few come out. 

[MousesMum]

A few days ago, my Photoshop desktop app stopped opening. It would start loading (with the parrot page - initialising, etc.) then that would just disappear. I contacted Adobe and have spent hours with their staff remotely trying to get my photoshop desktop app working. The only way they could get it to work is to revert back to the 2020 version. While that does everything I need it to - I'm questioning why I am paying so much every month for an app which supposedly suddenly(!) isn't compatible with my system. I am wondering if I have any other options. I certainly can't afford to upgrade my PC as it's only 3 years old! (HP with decent spec). The Adobe staff say my graphics card is too old(!!) I've attached what I think might be relevant... I am a creative not a techie so please be gentle with me!

[clintbohaty]

Mine is also crashing at building color conversion tables as another user has mentioned. The only way I can open the app is if I resent preferences by holding ctrl + windows + alt during start up... everytime.

Windows 11 PC with Nvidia 3070. Drivers and PC are all up to date as of this comment.

[mujo8080]

first uninstall and then install 26.10 worked for me.
simply changing the version which has the vesrion change handled by creative cloud desktop did not work,
im on windows 10. i chose to keep my presents option. and they all came back working. 
so you have to do the uninstall then install 26.10 and make sure you dont have autoupdate turned on for photoshop.
btw, its also working in the beta 27.1 if you choose that path. and also 25 last was ok too. 

[Miguelf]

The problem seems to be related to resetting Photoshop preferences. If you load Photoshop by pressing the SHIFT key and answering NO at the question about resetting user preferences, the problem is temporarily circumvented. It has worked for me. Even when I load Photoshop from double-clicking on a JPG, for example.

[chuckt53667258]

Old PC with Nvidia 1080ti would hang on "Loading Brushes."  Wanted to buy a new PC anyway.  Nvidia 5070ti, 64GB RAM, the works.  Same problem.  Hangs on "Loading Brushes." v 26.11 - does not hang on any other step.  Terminate Photoshop with Windows "End Task," load PS again, no problem.  Between new PC and old PC, I've experienced this issue for several weeks now, but don't know what previous build numbers were, sorry.

[chuckt53667258]

Have now installed Photoshop Beta v27.0.1, and the freeze at "Loading Brushes" no longer occurs.  I had uninstalled the Beta version, but I will stick with it until Adobe makes its announcements in a couple of days.

[Nixop]

I no longer have the problem since I unchecked this box. I hope it's not just a coincidence, thanks for this suggestion!

[Sameer K]

Hello everyone,

An update for Adobe Photography products has been released as part of the MAX cycle. This update addresses the reported issue.

If you don’t see the update in your Creative Cloud app, refresh it using [Ctrl/Cmd] + [Alt/Opt] + [R].

Please note: It may take up to 24 hours for the update to appear.

Thank you for your continued patience.

[Ged_Traynor]

This issue is reported as been fixed in version 27.0

https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-bugs/p-photoshop-26-11-freeze-at-launch-on-readin...

[chuckt53667258]

Not seeing v27 as available here in Los Angeles Oct. 28th at 10 AM, I will say that the Beta loads and runs MUCH more smoothly for those who care to use the beta.

[chuckt53667258]

Ok! After rechecking updates, TWO updates were available for Photoshop: v26.1.1 and v27.0. Downloaded v27.0 and got an error; retried, and it installed correctly.  v27.1 of the PS beta was also available, and installed correctly.

[wajahat__7122]

Even after updating  Photoshop 2025 and running the latest version (26.11.1), it’s still getting stuck on the loading splash screen.

[chuckt53667258]

v 27.0 has been released, and I've had success with it today, Los Angeles
CA - good luck. New Beta v 27.1 has blown up on my once, but generally
runs faster than non-beta Photoshop, especially when loading. Good luck!


--
Chuck

[MratajczakPhotography]

Well, thanks for the update. I have no faith in Adobe right now. The version I have works and no need to update. 26.0 works.

[MratajczakPhotography]

Version 26.8.1 is the only one that works. All others get a splash screen for 1 second then goes away. What a waste that it can't be updated. For the price this should be a pay once and done platform. 

[MratajczakPhotography]

I'm not sure what "issue" You are thinking of but the fact that it's only a splash screen for a second that goes away is not an update its every version and Adobe better do something about it. I don't think they give a crap. I don't think they look at this board. They want the money with no update that works. I see a class action suit in their future.

[Sameer K]

Hey, @MratajczakPhotography. The description in your comments doesn't match the issue we're tracking here. In this thread, Photoshop freezes at launch at the splash screen. 

Please start a new thread with pertinent information and list the troubleshooting steps you've already tried. Feel free to tag me in your post or the comments, and I'll follow up with you on your thread. 

Thanks!
Sameer K
(Type '@' and type my name to mention me when you reply)

[CrashOver1D]

No more issue on my side

Like stated here previously, It was already back to normal for me with a small "silent" Update of 26.11 two or three weeks Ago (Updated by CC App, but without version number change)

It is still working normaly with the brand new 27.0.0

[chuckt53667258]

All is well here, v27 PS runs and loads well, v27.1 beta loads faster however.  Regardless, getting work done, thanks for the fixes.