Adobe Photoshop 2024 will not open

[mschenk302]

I am working on an iMac with Ventura 13.6.3   4.2 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7

When I try to open Photoshop 2024 I get the splash screen and the icon in the dock bounces but then the icon stops bouncing, the splash screen disappears and I get a message that Photoshop quit unexpectedly. What is the fix or the work-around

[Kevin Stohlmeyer]

@mschenk302 start by resetting the preferences:

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

[mschenk302]

Did not work. I got to the dialogue box asking me if I want to reset the preferenes but when I answer yes the program unexpectedly shuts down.

[Kevin Stohlmeyer]

Are you running a Mac Mini 2017?

How much free HD space do you have available?

[mschenk302]

I am running a 2017 iMac 27". I have 1.5 TB of free space.

--
Mark Schenkman

[Kevin Stohlmeyer]

@mschenk302 try uninstalling (choosing to remove preferences) and then reinstall PS using the Creative Cloud desktop app.

[mschenk302]

That did not work. Same issue, nothing changed.

[Dwarister]

try to install another version (24.7.2 for example)

[NB, colourmanagement]

@mschenk302 

Perhaps try a thorough reset of Photoshop preferences?

(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

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.

[Jeff Arola]

What version of photoshop 2024?

You can find out by going to Applications/Adobe Photoshop 2024, then right clicking on the

Adobe Photoshop 2024.app and click Get Info and you'll see the Version in the Get Info window.

[mschenk302]

Version 25.3.1

I tried manually removing the preferences folder and then restarting but that did not work although a new preferences folder was created.

I have no idea on how to check to see if the GPU is causing the problem because it appears that all the instructions to do so require Photoshop to be running which is the problem I am having.

[mschenk302]

I have also uninstalled Photoshop 2024 through CC and then installed Photoshop 2023. It does not work although it did last year

[Kevin Stohlmeyer]

@mschenk302 if you can access 2023 go to the help menu/system info and copy paste the entire report here.

[mschenk302]

I cannot open Photoshop 2023 so I cannot go to the help menu/system info unless there is something I am missing

[Kevin Stohlmeyer]

Sorry I misread that you cant open 2023 either.

Were at the point now where drastic measures come into play.

1. Backup any preferences or custom assets (brushes, actions, etc.)

2. Uninstall all Adobe applications via the CC desktop tool.

3. Download and run the CC cleaner tool to remove all remaining Adobe resources.

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

4. Restart your Mac

5. Download the CC Desktop app and try installing Photoshop only.

https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/desktop-app.html