P: Photoshop Polygonal Lasso tool & pen tool Backspace does not delete anchor points

[THOMAS60]

Bonjour ! Avec Windows 10 et Photoshop CC 2024 l'outil lasso polygonal refuse les retours arrière.

Pourriez-vous me dire ce qui peut causer ce problème assez désagréable s'il vous plait ?

Cordialement

THOMAS60

[Sameer K]

Hey, @Brian24679496ryz1. Welcome to the Photoshop Community. I'll help you figure this out. 

Do you know if any new shortcuts you've set up are working as expected? What language are your OS and Photoshop set up to work with? 

In a recent thread, our expert pointed out that additional language packs for PS can cause this confusion. Please head here to learn more: https://adobe.ly/42OKP3u;

Let me know if this helps. Thanks!

Sameer K

(Type '@' and type my name to mention me when you reply)

[Trevor.Dennis]

Brian, there have been a couple of similar threads to yours.  I only use the normal Lasso tool, and have always done so with the Alt key to select point by point, and release the Alt key to close the selection.

If, instead I use the lasso tool freehand, then I am able to press Space to pan.

If I am using Alt to link points, then that doesn't work, but if I release the Alt while keeping the mouse button held down, I am now able to pane with the Space Bar.

I am also able to zoom in and out with Ctrl + and Ctrl - but I have dislocated two fingers acheiving that.  That is working for me when using Alt, or just holding the mouse down.  It was easier on my fingers to zoom with the scroll wheel using my middle finger while my Index finger was holding down the mouse button.

The earliest version I have is 22.2, and it worked the same with that. 

This is with Windows 11.  If you think this is a Mac issue I can test that.

[Brian24679496ryz1]

@Sameer K 

I haven' t set up any other shortcuts, just the default ones that I mentioned.

I am using a PC with Windows 11 Pro, and I am not using any language packs other than English.

Thanks,

Brian

[Brian24679496ryz1]

Hi,@Trevor.Dennis

I tried your suggestions, but the keyboard shortcuts still don't work. I am still having issues when using the polygonal lasso.

I am using a PC with Windows 11 Pro. I have these issues with Photoshop Beta and Photoshp 2025. I uninstalled 2025 and re-installed 2024 v 25.11.0 and they work in that version.

From other posts that I have read here, this seems to be an issue for Windows users with any newer version of Photoshop.

[Stefano37930993vn74]

I have the same issue, I tried:

1.           Resetting preferences (`Alt + Ctrl + Shift` launch)

2.           Clean reinstalls via Adobe Cleaner Tool (Windows).

3.           Testing across 3 workstations.

Nothing works. Since is already more than a year, are there any updates on this "lasso Bug"?

[Ivan_Carrillo7522]

Man that did it for me! thanks a lot.

[Will_B.]

A few days ago, my Photoshop started having issues with the Lasso tools. Backspace, End, Esc, Space—none of them work. In fact, once the tool is activated, the only buttons that function are the left and right mouse buttons.
I've tried all the troubleshooting steps: reset the settings (which were already at default installation settings), reinstalled Photoshop, uninstalled Windows Ink, closed background processes. My computer was built specifically for this purpose, and I've only been using the program for a week. So, I have nothing installed besides Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Bridge, Chrome, and WhatsApp—along with MSI Center and ICUE Link. I’ve modified registry keys, but nothing seems to work.
In rare cases, the tool works again if I close and reopen the program, but as soon as I stop using the tool and start again, it stops functioning again. I have no idea what else to do.

Here are my system details.

[Anshul_Saini]

Hi @Will_B.,

Thanks for the detailed explanation. I know how frustrating this kind of issue can be, especially when everything else seems to be working.

From what you’ve described, this behavior strongly points to third-party interference, which is a common cause when keyboard shortcuts or tool functionality unexpectedly stop working in Photoshop.

Here’s what I suggest:

1. Try running your system in Safe Mode (https://adobe.ly/3ZjRaBD), and launch Photoshop there.

If the Lasso tools and keyboard shortcuts work correctly, it confirms that something is running in the background during normal startup that is interfering.

2. Then, gradually start enabling or opening your usual apps one by one — like Chrome, WhatsApp, ICUE Link, MSI Center, etc.

As soon as the shortcut stops working again, you’ll have identified the conflicting application.

The fact that reopening Photoshop temporarily resolves the issue also supports this, since restarting can reset whatever interference is occurring.

Let me know how it goes. I'm happy to assist further based on what you discover.

Best,

Anshul

[dbash328_]

Same issue here, seems to have been an issue since 2022 and it keeps being blamed on settings and third-party with adobe having no intentions on fixing it. Wish there was a way to assign a hotkey specifically for lasso backspace because I could reassign it to solve the issue 

[Anshul_Saini]

Hi @dbash328_,

I completely understand your frustration. This type of persistent issue is definitely disruptive, and I want to clarify a few things to help you better understand what’s happening.

This isn’t about “blaming” settings or third-party software, but rather about how operating systems handle input monitoring. In many cases, background apps (like system tuners, RGB controllers, or clipboard managers) can intercept or override keyboard input, even when Photoshop or any other app is the active application. These input conflicts are handled at the OS level, not by Photoshop directly, which is why the issue often seems outside of our control.

As for your idea of assigning a hotkey for “Backspace” specifically while using the Lasso tool:

Unfortunately, some hotkeys in Photoshop are context-sensitive — they only work based on the selected tool and aren’t exposed in the Edit > Keyboard Shortcuts menu for individual reassignment. That’s why you’re not able to bind “Backspace” for Lasso separately from other uses.

That said, I’ll definitely forward your feedback to the team.

Thanks again for sharing your experience.

Best,

Anshul

[Wabber_HM]

I'm not entirely sure it's a third-party app issue. Unless it's that big of a coincidence. This started a few versions ago and I think this issue persists on all 4 of my computers with Photoshop on it. I'll need to confirm, but it should be occuring on each of them. 

[luca_7780]

Hello everyone;

I wanted to report a Photoshop bug that I have found on several versions now. I also updated to the latest version available but it continues to create the same problem. The problem concerns a bug on the polygonal lasso command. When using the polygonal lasso to create a selection, each click creates a broken line of the selection, if by chance I want to go back some broken lines before closing the selection, the backspace key removes them based on my needs. In the latest versions of Photoshop this freezes, making it difficult to use the command. Sometimes it works, other times it is impossible. When it does not, you have to close the selection. The bug is intermittent, sometimes it is there and sometimes not, although more often it does not work properly. This causes a huge waste of time for me since it is a command that I use often. I would like it to return to normal. Does it happen to you too?

Thanks

[Ares Hovhannesyan]

Can\t reproduce the bug. I voted this post. 

[AxelMatt]

I don't see this on my machine at anytime. So I don't think that's a really bug.

Unfortunately you haven't given us any information about your system.

Please provide a copy of your 'System Info'. This can be get from the Photoshop menu item Help > System Info. There's a copy button in the System Info dialog. Press this button and paste the info into your next forum post.

Is your system up-to-date? Do you have installed all recent updates and patches for the operating system and the device drivers, especially the graphic driver. If you have a NVidia graphic card installed, make sure that you are using the recent Studio version of the driver, not the Game Ready version.

Try to reset the preferences of Photoshop using the steps described here:

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/preferences.html#reset-preferences

It's recommended to backup your settings before resetting the preferences.

See here:  https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/preferences.html#backup-photoshop-preferences

[Jakob26573084v4e8]

Polygonial lasso is broken.

Using 26.0 but is have been  broken for while now (sigh)

1. You can no longer press backspace to delete "points"
2. You can not move the canvas ( pressing space + mouse move) - while working with the polygonial lasso

....fix it please.. we pay a lot of money for these software..this is not right,.

[Jakob26573084v4e8]

Use Photopea.com , the polygonial lasso works there as expected. 👍

It's embarrasing that some webclone of photoshop, works faster / better than current bloated/broken photoshop ever will

[practical_parent0D4C]

Bonjour, en effet pourquoi cette information semble ne pas être parvenue à Adobe ?
Merci !
Cordialement !
T60

[practical_parent0D4C]

Bonjour, je suis surpris de voir arriver des réponses à mes courriels de 2024 !?
Cordialement
T60

[Sameer K]

Updating status.

[donbarrum]

I have had this problems using a tablet and the polygonal lasso tool for ages! I have reported it multiple times. Checking the legacy undo shortcuts doesnt fix it. Keyboard shortcuts, space and esc and delete just works 1 in a hundred times. This is through multiple reinstalls of photoshop as well as resetting preferences. 
The problem started when Adobe switched to WinINK instead of WinTab. Using WinTab it works fine, but then of course you get a more sluggish responsiveness on the pen. 

[Will_B.]

Hi. Well, none of that really worked for me. Besides Chrome with just Acrobat extensions and Microsoft 365, the only programs I have are from Adobe itself. Adobe support even accessed my computer and made some adjustments that worked for like 30 minutes of use, and then it just stopped working again. It’s really messing with my work since the polygonal and magnetic lasso tools have become completely useless. I’ve tried all the Adobe methods and tips from other users on this forum, and still nothing.

[CGdesigner72]

Photoshop Beta version 26.8 M3390 fixed this problem. It works good 

[practical_parent0D4C]

Bonjour, je comprends mal pourquoi les recommandations, informations, expériences des autres utilisateurs me parviennen

t aussi tard ?

Merci !

T60

[JettyTech]

Also have this problem since last update

[Ged_Traynor]

@JettyTech I'd say it's related to this thread, which Adobe have acknowledged

https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-bugs/p-photoshop-polygonal-lasso-tool-amp-pen-too...