P: (Win) PS v26.1 Classic Gradient Editor creating a new Preset instead of changing the gradient

[garirius]

Issue: Classic Gradient Editor doesn't change the active gradient, instead creates a new Preset

• Photoshop version:  26.1.0 20241113.r.121 158e617 x64
• OS: Windows 11 64-bit

Steps to reproduce:

1. Create a new document.
2. Select the Gradient tool, then Classic gradient
3. Click on the box containg the gradient to open the Gradient editor
4. Make any changes to the gradient then click OK

Expected result: Active gradient should reflect the changes we just made
Actual result: The new gradient is saved as a preset while active gradient stays unchanged

It started happening after I updated Photoshop to version 26, it worked perfectly until then. I cannot imagine this being anything other than a bug. I included a video showing the bug in action.

{System Info added as attachment}

[ricardh76467822]

Everytime i click on a gradient use it, it then duplicates itself in the gradient panel where i got it from. Have i accidentally clicked something or is it a bug? Happens every single time.
The new butoon and the ok button do the same thing

[ricardh76467822]

ps 26.2

when editing a gardient map using gradient editor the "ok" button do the same as the "new" button. if I try to kepp the "name" window empty i get an error. The result is a lot of custom gradients. what to do ++

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Could you please post more meaningful screenshots, I cannot discern any new Gradients being added. 

It seems I cannot reproduce the issue on Photoshop 26.2.0

[feinschmecker]

I'm having the exact same problem - since the update to 2025. 

It happens when I create a "Gradient Map" adjustment layer (not a gradient fill layer). When I select a predefines gradient it makes a duplicate version with the same name - and if i make any adjustments it creates a new "Custom" gradient. 

I use gradient map adjustment layer a lot.

It's really, really annoying.

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Please post meaningful screenshots. 

Which exact Photoshop version are you using? 

[feinschmecker]

Sure thing. Here you go.

Screenshot 1: I made a simple cloud layer

Screenshot 2: I made a Gradient Map Adjustment Layer

Screenshot 3: I selected the TEST GRADIENT from the adjustment layer  (see list on the right)

Screenshot 4: Clicked OK - Gradient swatch is duplicated... Had I made any changes to the gradient, it would have been called "Custom".

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Thanks. 

I can reproduce the issue now. 

[Howard_7734]

Having same issue. I modify a gradient and it creates a new custom gradient. Also, sometimes dupes a gradient in my presets. I can dump out but quite annoying

[N.H.B.]

I had the same problem that was driving me crazy. Resetting the presets didn't help, so I switched back to PS 2024.

[Raul C. B.]

I'm having the exact same problem. I hope Adobe fixes this soon, I rely on the Tool Presets a lot for my work.

[rsphoto]

I'm having the exact same issue as well. Mac OS Sequoia, Photoshop 26.3.0

Gradient Tool Presets not applying at all.

[Okan5CA7]

In the Gradient Overlay panel, it saves a preset I selected over and over again. I make my normal selection, but it gets duplicate that preset more and more. It happened after 2025 Update. I have attached a screenshot. 

I'm using: Macbook Pro M1 Max - Sonoma 14.2.1 (23C71) - 32GB Ram

Photoshop 26.3.0 Release

[c.pfaffenbichler]

https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-bugs/p-win-ps-v26-1-classic-gradient-editor-creat...

https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/photoshop-2025-gradients-keep-duplica...

[Okan5CA7]

Same here. I just post a new thread for this.

https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-bugs/gradient-overlay-panel-saving-same-preset-ov...

[Okan5CA7]

There are a lot of things that drives us crazy with Adobe's engineers. 

Same problem here. I was post it yesterday.

https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-bugs/gradient-overlay-panel-saving-same-preset-ov...

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Well … or rather not well, but still … 8 votes in more than two month (on this bug report https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-bugs/p-win-ps-v26-1-classic-gradient-editor-creat...) seems to indicate that the problem does not affect that many Photoshop users. 

Many probably just don’t use gradient presets that often. 

So depending on how strongly this affects affects your work you might want to consider rolling back Photoshop as it is impossible to say what priority this bug will receive and how laborious the fix will be. 

[feinschmecker]

Number of votes doesn't equal the number of prople with the issue - unless the number of photoshop users world wide equals the number of users here. I use it a lot and it drives me nuts that they duplicate. Especially since it hasn't always done so. 

[Okan5CA7]

Excuse me, my English is not very good. In your previous comment, did you mean to say “people are not complaining too much, so this bug can stay like this”? I hope you're not.

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Number of votes doesn't equal the number of prople with the issue - unless the number of photoshop users world wide equals the number of users here. I use it a lot and it drives me nuts that they duplicate. Especially since it hasn't always done so. 

By @feinschmecker

Of course the number of votes is not equal to the affected users but I suspect a »rough« proportionality is inferred by the Photoshop team. 

So when a Bug Report like 

https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-bugs/p-photoshop-26-2-adjustment-layers-grayed-ou...

has more than twice as many votes in a comparable timeframe I expect that indicates some »relative annoyance-level among Photoshop users«. 

[feinschmecker]

Agree. The gradient problem is, however, very specific - not general. Unlike the "all adjustment layers are greyed out". Thats a game breaking bug. The gradient one is just super annoying in comparison 🙂

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Excuse me, my English is not very good. In your previous comment, did you mean to say “people are not complaining too much, so this bug can stay like this”? I hope you're not.

By @Okan5CA7

I did not say that it’s fine for the bug to go unfixed, I just wanted to encourage you not to expect a speedy fix and proceed accordingly. 

But it matters little what I say in this regard anyway, as I am just another Photoshop user. 

There have been bugs in Adobe applications that have gone unfixed for years (more than a decade even in the case of Illustrator), so it seems best to me to, if at all possible, work around them and try to keep calm … 

[BBuzan549]

To RSPA904 et al. I have found if I select a gradient (map or fill) and do not select OK!! Just click outside the selection box and edit the gradient as you would normally do. The gradient preset should not duplicate.