P: Photoshop (v25.5.1 & v25.6) opening with black/blank home screen

[gabriel5E9E]

Hey folks! 

I was working with photoshop and illustrator, then I went to lunch and closed both apps. 
When booting them up again, Photoshop "home screen" is black. I can't open recent files. 

When I open a saved .psd, the file opens correctly.

Already updated to the 25.5.1 version.

[Ged_Traynor]

@mickjs seems you're not alone with the issue

https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-bugs/update-25-6-0/idi-p/14498220

[mickjs]

Ah! Thank you for that. I'm sorry I didn't see those posts in my early searches. Well, at least we can just turn off the home screen for now!  🙂

[mickjs]

I found the same behaviour today. What helped for me was going into Settings->General and turn OFF "Auto show the home screen" (on macOS). Doing this gave me back the workspace at startup and when I close the last open file.

Hope this helps.

[Ged_Traynor]

@*shadow73* try disabling the Home Screen, there seems to be issues with it at the moment in version 25.6

https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-bugs/please-help-photoshop-25-6-0-macos-just-star...

[Ged_Traynor]

@nixstar39147303 are you on version 25.6 by any chance, if so try disabling the Home Screen

https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-bugs/please-help-photoshop-25-6-0-macos-just-star...

[Ankit35641032lzq3]

After purchasing adobe creative cloud i thought i will never have to face any error or bug or glitch but i was wrong. I am facing a glitch or error or bug since week. After closing any open .PSD file, it should show me recent files interface but it is showing me blank screen instead. I am sharing screenshot for the same. Kindly, help me to solve this issue.

[Ged_Traynor]

@Ankit35641032lzq3 what exact version of Photoshop are you using, there are reported issues with version 25.6, although the update hasn't shown up for me yet, I'm still on 25.5.1, a temp fix is to disable the Home Screen if indeed you are on version 25.6

https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-bugs/please-help-photoshop-25-6-0-macos-just-star...

[didiermazier]

Hi y'all

Photoshop 25.6.0 shows a blacj screen at startup. Everything else works…

Do you have any clue (maybe accessibility settings…) 

 

[Ged_Traynor]

@didiermazier you're not alone, try disabling the Home Screen

https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-bugs/please-help-photoshop-25-6-0-macos-just-star...

[didiermazier]

I did but this homescreen was useful… Hope there will be a corrective… Sometimes I'am asking myself questions about the Adobe devs skills…

😉

[Ged_Traynor]

Can't say I've ever used the Home Screen myself, I'll tag @Mark.Dahm to make him aware of the issue

[Bomber33]

Good morning

 Have tried to open Photoshop this morning and can only see a blank black screen with just the toolbar showing at the top.Home screen is NOT showing correctly.Have checked "auto show home screen" in preferences but still no show.When I open Photoshop there seems to be greyed out shapes where the home screen items should be but soon reverts to a blank screen.Can open and edit recent phots correctly. Up to yesterday all was correct.Any help much appreciated.Thankyou. Photoshop 2024. Version 25.5

[NB, colourmanagement net]

Hi @Bomber33 To help further we'd need to know the version of PS you have also the computer type and operating system. 

Perhaps you might like to try a thorough reset of Photoshop preferences, it helps a LOT of users here with strange issues?

here's somebackground info: https://helpx.adobe.com/ie/photoshop/using/preferences.html#Manually

(read this entire post before acting please)

Resetting restores Photoshop's internal preferences, which are saved when Photoshop closes.

If they become corrupt then various issues can occur.

Here’s some info on how to do that:

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/preferences.html

Manually removing preferences files is the most complete method for restoring Photoshop to its default state: 

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

Manually removing preferences files is the most complete method for restoring Photoshop to its default state. This method ensures all preferences and any user presets which may be causing a problem are not loaded.

1. Quit Photoshop.
   
   
2. Navigate to Photoshop's Preferences folder.
   macOS: Users/[user name]/Library/Preferences/Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings
   Windows: Users/[user name]/AppData/Roaming/Adobe/Adobe Photoshop [version]/Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings
   
    
   Note: The user Library folder is hidden by default on macOS. To access files in the hidden user Library folder, see How to access hidden user library files.
3. Drag the entire Adobe Photoshop [Version] Settings folder to the desktop or somewhere safe for a back-up of your settings
   
   
4. Open Photoshop.
   
    New preferences files will be created in their original location.
   

Note re macOS: The user Library folder is hidden by default.

To access files in the hidden user Library folder, see here for how to access hidden user library files.

https://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/global/access-hidden-user-library-files.html

Unexpected behaviour may indicate damaged preferences. Restoring preferences to their default settings is a good idea when trying to troubleshoot unexpected behaviours in Photoshop. check out the video

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

Learn how to access and modify Photoshop preferences and customise per your frequent workflows

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/preferences.html

And here’s an earlier forum discussion as an aid to understanding

https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/quick-tips-how-to-reset-photoshop-pre...

You may want to backup your settings and custom presets, brushes & actions before restoring Photoshop's preferences.

Here is general info about that:  https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/preferences.html#BackupPhotoshoppreferences

Before you reset your preferences

https://helpx.adobe.com/ie/photoshop/using/preset-migration.html

in case of future issues, I suggest you make a copy as Adobe may need one to check problematic references. 

Quit Photoshop.
Go to Photoshop's Preferences folder

Preferences file locations: https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/kb/preference-file-names-locations-photoshop.html\

  [on MacOS see: Users/[user name]/Library/Preferences/Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings

  Note for those on macOS: - be aware that the user Library folder is hidden by default on macOS.

  https://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/global/access-hidden-user-library-files.html

  In the Finder, open the “Go” menu whilst holding down the Option (Alt) key.

  Library will now appear in the list - below the current user's “home” directory. ]

Now you can drag the entire Adobe Photoshop [Version] Settings folder to the desktop or somewhere safe as a back-up of your settings.

Note for those on macOS:

Preference preservation is affected by macOS permissions,

you’ll need to allow Photoshop ‘Full Disk Access’ in your Mac OS Preferences/Security and Privacy

If that doesn't fix the issue:

Go to Preferences > Performance... and uncheck Multithreaded Compositing - and restart Photoshop.

Still hanging? 

Go to Preferences > Performance... click Advanced Settings... and uncheck "GPU Compositing" - then restart Photoshop. 

Do you still have problems?

Here's a link from Myra Ferguson specificially for troubleshooting Photoshop if it crashes on launch (which includes resetting preferences) Troubleshoot crash or freeze in Photoshop

It may even be time to reinstall Photoshop.

It’s recommended that you use the Adobe CC cleaner tool to remove all traces first.

(See above about preserving preferences though! It’s worth preserving them unless they are corrupted.)

https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/kb/cc-cleaner-tool-installation-problems.html

Uninstall Photoshop BUT make sure to choose the option “Yes, remove app preference”.

Once that process finishes, start the installation process and look into the “Advanced Options”. Uncheck “Import previous settings and preferences” and choose to “Remove old versions”.

I hope this helps

neil barstow, colourmanagement net  - adobe forum volunteer - co-author: 'getting colour right'

google me "neil barstow colourmanagement" for lots of free articles on colour management

Help others by clicking "Correct Answer" if the question is answered.

Found the answer elsewhere? Share it here. "Upvote" is for useful posts.

[NB, colourmanagement net]

@FL612 

Perhaps try a thorough reset of Photoshop preferences?

here's somebackground info: https://helpx.adobe.com/ie/photoshop/using/preferences.html#Manually

(read this entire post before acting please)

Resetting restores Photoshop's internal preferences, which are saved when Photoshop closes.

If they become corrupt then various issues can occur.

Here’s some info on how to do that:

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/preferences.html

Manually removing preferences files is the most complete method for restoring Photoshop to its default state: 

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

Manually removing preferences files is the most complete method for restoring Photoshop to its default state. This method ensures all preferences and any user presets which may be causing a problem are not loaded.

1. Quit Photoshop.
   
   
2. Navigate to Photoshop's Preferences folder.
   macOS: Users/[user name]/Library/Preferences/Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings
   Windows: Users/[user name]/AppData/Roaming/Adobe/Adobe Photoshop [version]/Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings
   
    
   Note: The user Library folder is hidden by default on macOS. To access files in the hidden user Library folder, see How to access hidden user library files.
3. Drag the entire Adobe Photoshop [Version] Settings folder to the desktop or somewhere safe for a back-up of your settings
   
   
4. Open Photoshop.
   
    New preferences files will be created in their original location.
   

Note re macOS: The user Library folder is hidden by default.

To access files in the hidden user Library folder, see here for how to access hidden user library files.

https://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/global/access-hidden-user-library-files.html

Unexpected behaviour may indicate damaged preferences. Restoring preferences to their default settings is a good idea when trying to troubleshoot unexpected behaviours in Photoshop. check out the video

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

Learn how to access and modify Photoshop preferences and customise per your frequent workflows

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/preferences.html

And here’s an earlier forum discussion as an aid to understanding

https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/quick-tips-how-to-reset-photoshop-pre...

You may want to backup your settings and custom presets, brushes & actions before restoring Photoshop's preferences.

Here is general info about that:  https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/preferences.html#BackupPhotoshoppreferences

Before you reset your preferences

https://helpx.adobe.com/ie/photoshop/using/preset-migration.html

in case of future issues, I suggest you make a copy as Adobe may need one to check problematic references. 

Quit Photoshop.
Go to Photoshop's Preferences folder

Preferences file locations: https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/kb/preference-file-names-locations-photoshop.html\

  [on MacOS see: Users/[user name]/Library/Preferences/Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings

  Note for those on macOS: - be aware that the user Library folder is hidden by default on macOS.

  https://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/global/access-hidden-user-library-files.html

  In the Finder, open the “Go” menu whilst holding down the Option (Alt) key.

  Library will now appear in the list - below the current user's “home” directory. ]

Now you can drag the entire Adobe Photoshop [Version] Settings folder to the desktop or somewhere safe as a back-up of your settings.

Note for those on macOS:

Preference preservation is affected by macOS permissions,

you’ll need to allow Photoshop ‘Full Disk Access’ in your Mac OS Preferences/Security and Privacy

If that doesn't fix the issue:

Go to Preferences > Performance... and uncheck Multithreaded Compositing - and restart Photoshop.

Still hanging? 

Go to Preferences > Performance... click Advanced Settings... and uncheck "GPU Compositing" - then restart Photoshop. 

Do you still have problems?

Here's a link from Myra Ferguson specificially for troubleshooting Photoshop if it crashes on launch (which includes resetting preferences) Troubleshoot crash or freeze in Photoshop

It may even be time to reinstall Photoshop.

It’s recommended that you use the Adobe CC cleaner tool to remove all traces first.

(See above about preserving preferences though! It’s worth preserving them unless they are corrupted.)

https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/kb/cc-cleaner-tool-installation-problems.html

Uninstall Photoshop BUT make sure to choose the option “Yes, remove app preference”.

Once that process finishes, start the installation process and look into the “Advanced Options”. Uncheck “Import previous settings and preferences” and choose to “Remove old versions”.

I hope this helps

neil barstow, colourmanagement net  - adobe forum volunteer - co-author: 'getting colour right'

google me "neil barstow colourmanagement" for lots of free articles on colour management

Help others by clicking "Correct Answer" if the question is answered.

Found the answer elsewhere? Share it here. "Upvote" is for useful posts.

[gabriel5E9E]

Didn't worked. The black screen remains when I boot up photoshop =(

Updated my mac to the latest version to see if it would fix, but no.

[Hawkmyster]

Hi when opening Photoshop in previos versions my past files came up on the home screen

since updating to 25.6 it doesnt happen macbookpro with Sonoma 14.2.1

Anyone got an idea why ?

[Ged_Traynor]

@Hawkmyster you're not alone, for a temp fix disable the Home Screen

https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-bugs/please-help-photoshop-25-6-0-macos-just-star...

https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-bugs/black-startup-screen-after-update/idc-p/1449...

[KSPhoto]

Same thing on my windows desktop. I also don't have any tool bars. I have to reset by reselecting my workspace, even though it's already selected. Once I select that again, the tool bars come back, but recent documents don't appear

Anyone know how to get those back and not have to reset whenever I open PS?

[Ged_Traynor]

@KSPhoto until Adobe address the issue, it might be best to revert to version 25.5.1

[KSPhoto]

Actually, whenever I close a document everything disappears again to a black screen and I have to reset that. 

Tried checking and unchecking "show home screen" and that did nothing.

[Ged_Traynor]

Try disabling the Home Screen and then open a new document, close Photoshop and reopen, for the moment it looks like a bug with the Home Screen and you won't be able to use it.

[KSPhoto]

I tried that and it stayed the same in that version too. I think I would  have to  remove preferences and I'd rather not have to reinstall plugins and actions again

[KSPhoto]

That at least keeps my workspace now! Thank you!

[Ben M]

I recently encountered this and found a resolution that seems to be working for me. First I would recommend getting off 14.2.x if you can. There were a lot of bugs with Adobe apps I could not explain prior to 14.3.x. I did recently try the 14.4 release and that seems to be working as well.

What I found cured the blank home screen was to rename the UXP folder. Just be careful as there are 2 UXP folders one is in your user library and the other is in the system library, both under application support::adobe.  If you rename both of those try restarting and see if it fixes. If it does, the folders should be re-created and allow you to delete those safely.

[Intagulf2723600156kx]

I can open files from my documents but cannot access the photoshop home (grey/black screen). I cant see my previous files there etc which is quite annoying because i make templates to work from. It is usually easy to just click a recently opened template to make todays designs etc etc.

Anyone have any ideas?