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Billy544645
Participating Frequently
December 30, 2021
Question

Brush tool switches to eye dropper tool

  • December 30, 2021
  • 5 replies
  • 3870 views

Hello,

 

I'm having a problem when using the brush tool. When I go into the color picker, I'm trying to use the brush tool to check what color I would like to paint with. But as I try to paint with it, the brush automatically changes to the eyedropper tool. How do I fix this? I'm on a Mac by the way.

 

Thank you!

5 replies

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Denis34886429dbka
Participant
September 3, 2025

I am having the same problem with Photoshop 2025. I run a lab of 25 iMacs and Mac Minis and use Adobe Suite. It happens to students randomly (and lately daily) without any reason or specific sequence that we have been able to narrow down. It's definitely a glitch of some kind with possibly the new Mac operating system or possibly with the attached WACOM tablet keys. We have not figured it out yet, but will post if we can isolate the problem. 

A
Community Manager
AlekeCommunity Manager
Community Manager
September 3, 2025

Hi @Denis34886429dbka, welcome to the community!

Just curious, does this issue happen on every computer in your lab, or only on certain machines? Also, what version of Photoshop are you using, and which model of Wacom tablet? Please keep us posted.

Thanks!
Alek

*(If you mention me with an @, like @Aleke, I’ll get a notification and can respond faster.)*
L
lifesblackblood
Participating Frequently
October 29, 2024

Has anyone figured out a fix for this? It keeps happening unexpectedly while I'm drawing. No caps lock on, no other keys being pressed. Driving me nuts because it's difficult to get it to switch back to brush tool.

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Peggy30922031ymoe
Participant
July 12, 2023

I am having the smae problem. Brush tool changes to another tool when I try to use it. 

PECourtejoie
Community Expert
PECourtejoieCommunity Expert
Community Expert
July 12, 2023

Hi, Peggy, and welcome.

To wich tool does it switch? Is it the same problem that Billy544645 ran into, the eyedropper one gets when clicking on the regular color picker?

Using the heads up color picker might help: Control + Option + Command -click (Mac)

other tips: https://jkost.com/blog/2017/05/tips-for-working-with-color-in-photoshop-cc.html 

Could you post a screenshot of your entire interface?

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Peggy30922031ymoe
Participant
July 12, 2023

It changes to the dodge tool.

Dan Rodney
Community Expert
Dan RodneyCommunity Expert
Community Expert
December 30, 2021

Is Caps Lock on?

Sometimes people get confused be the precise cursor that Caps Lock turns on.

— Adobe Certified Expert & Instructor at Noble Desktop | Web Developer, Designer, InDesign Scriptor
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    Billy544645Author
    Participating Frequently
    December 30, 2021

    Nope, no caps lock on 🙂

    MarekMularczyk
    Community Expert
    MarekMularczykCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    December 30, 2021

    Hi,

    Do I understand correctly that you have Brush tool selected, and you start clicking-and-dragging inside your document to paint? And it switches to eyedropper tool? And you're not pressing anything on your keyboard?

     

    Adobe Community ExpertAdobe Certified Professional
      B
      Billy544645Author
      Participating Frequently
      December 30, 2021

      Hello,

       

      Yes, exactly 🙂

      MarekMularczyk
      Community Expert
      MarekMularczykCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      December 30, 2021

      Are you sure you're not pressing anything on the keyboard? 😉

       

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