At Wit's End: Hand Cursor Stuck in Photoshop 2025

[TrishMvhl]

I've read through every post on this topic, scouring them for a solution. I've reset preferences. I've restarted both Photoshop and my Mac multiple times Don't even mention the space bar to me, it's fine. Nothing is leaning on it. Clicking it does nothing to solve this maddening problem.

PLEASE tell me how to fix this damn hand tool cursor being on all the time. Even when I reset Preferences and try to use a different tool with that fresh set of Prefs, there is nothing but the hand cursor.

I'm on deadline and freaking out (can you tell?) This hasn't happened on my main work Macbook Pro  But it's happening on my MacBook Air. Here's my setup (everything is updated):

MacBook Air M2 Chip

macOS Sequoia 15.2

Adobe Photoshop 2025

Wacom Intuos Model CTL-4100WL (I disable all function buttons, using strictly the pen on the tablet, keeping it simple).

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE tell me how to fix this. ::::silently screaming::::

[Chris 486 · Accepted solution]

If you disconnect your tablet completely, does the issue occur with keyboard and mouse only? Did you upgrade photoshop recently? Do you have an older verison you can open and try or roll back a previous version to check if the issue is still present?

There is a post from @jane-e here: https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/photoshop-stuck-on-hand-tool/m-p/1294...

She also mentions that you can contact customer support directly if we arent' able to find a quick solution. Quoted below:

"

One other thought is that sometimes another application can take over a shortcut. In this case, it would be either "Spacebar" or "H" for the Hand tool. It could be a browser. Try shutting down and boot up with nothing else running. You might have to check your start-up folder to see what launches automatically.

If that doesn't work, Customer Care can look at your screen. If you contact them, they will most likely start with the things that have already been said here, but maybe they can see something else.

To contact Adobe Customer Care directly:
https://helpx.adobe.com/contact.html?rghtup=autoOpen  (type "agent")

If your browser does not auto-open the Chat window, try these tips:
https://community.adobe.com/t5/creative-cloud-services/how-to-contact-adobe-support/td-p/11875703  

You can also send tweet to @AdobeCare."

[TrishMvhl · Accepted solution]

Chris- Your recommendation to completely disconnect the tablet provided the right clue. Trying out a few tools without using the tablet worked. I happened to bring along an older small Wacom Intuos CTL-490. After downloading the driver so I could try it on this Mac, it seems to have solved the hand cursor glitch It's not a comfortable Wacom pen (this tablet was bought long ago on the road in a pinch), but if it helps  get work done now while away from home, I'll happily take it. Thank you!!!! I'm going to make a note to contact Wacom about this glitch Honestly, I'm tired of having to be a detective just to get all these devices to function like they should. 😕  Thanks again.

[LAMY2017]

I think we should buy property in Wit's End, seems a very popular destination lately.

Trish, you've reset Ps Prefs; have you tried resetting the Wacom prefs?

How to delete Wacom User Preferences?  It can't hurt.

[Chris 486]

Happy to hear that got you to a next step! I've had custom setup on wacom's cause sneaky issues in the past.