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Question

Can't delete a selected layer using the 'delete' key CS6 [2013]

Forum|Forum|12 years ago
August 15, 2013
10 replies
59240 views

Why can you no longer delete layers with the delete key?

This topic has been closed for replies.

Community Expert

No offense, but why are you still using CS6? CS6 came out in 2012.

You are missing out on so many cool features... if you have the Creative Cloud subscription you get every udpate. Meaning you have so many more tools. Plus, as time goes by tools are refined.

Example, Content Aware Fill was horrible when it first came out. But now it is nearly perfect!

I know it could be personal reasons... moeny or whatever. But still really consider getting the Creative Cloud subscription. The new features since 2012 will blow your mind and speed up your workflow.

C

cValesa

Participating Frequently

I am using 2023.5.1 version this all of sudden started happening to me today. It is extremely frustrating since I am trying to create a "Just Show Me How" video. And, well, I can't show anyone how when the App doesn't work as it should. I have included the PSD but I realize this is probably a setting on my computer that I changed while writing instructions. Therefore, ti would not work the same on anyone else's.

Some of the settings I was working with were Preferences > General > Skip Transfor when Placing and Use Legacy Free Transform.

Photoshop-image-wont-delete.zip

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cValesa

Participating Frequently

I solved my problem. After a reboot, I realized I had saved, and been using, a New Document Preset with a transparent background. When I started with the standard Print > Blank Document > Letter the problem did not occur. I created a new saved preset with white background. No problem.

Just to make it more interesting if you delete the white background, then again you can't delete the image. Weird.

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Urban5C5E

New Participant

After googling for the same exact problem, I figured out the solution on my own. I just saved the .psd file as is, and restarted photoshop. Then, I could delete the layers just fine.

Just leaving this here in case someone struggles with the problem in the future, happy to help!

amandac91536107

New Participant

My trash button was greyed out too. Could not select trash icon to delete a layer. Instead, I dragged down the layer I wanted to delete directly to the trash icon and not only did the layer get deleted, but the trash button went back to normal. Tried saving and closing Ps first but did not fix. Only dragging the layer did.

K

KroaToanN

New Participant

Uninstall photoshop

M

MES09

New Participant

go to Select then in the dropdown menu uncheck "Edit in quick mask mode". Worked for me

johnp25368006

New Participant

Did you make sure that the "Move Tool (V)" was selected? I was having the same problem and came to this page. Finally I noticed I had the Rectangular Marque Tool selected instead of the move tool. I clicked on the move tool and was able to delete layers AND groups using the delete key on my keyboard. To sum it up:

Delete with the Move Tool (V) selected.

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Mackenzie25676782dy6x

New Participant

This worked for me! Thank you 🙂

BerylliumBiology

New Participant

There is a layer that is locked. Sometimes we can do that accidentally. You will have to go through all the layers to look for the one (or a few) that is locked.

lwt89

Known Participant

Adding layers may be a solution for a 1 layer file but it happens when i have a bunch of layers in. Doesnt always happen, so I dont have a file with that example right now. Ill send over when I do. Thanks.

lwt89

Known Participant

Heres a video of whats happening. I cant replicate #3 from my steps on this one.

February 2, 2016 - YouTube

Brett N

Adobe Employee

Interesting, there is definitely a specific layer that just won't delete (and of course, you can't delete any layer group that layer is within when that layer is there). I don't see any special reason that layer can't be deleted. Can you share this file so I can take a look on my side?

lwt89

Known Participant

Pretty annoying prob if you guys can get it fixed. Happens all the time.

http://www.filehosting.org/file/details/556666/cant%20delete.psd

lwt89

Known Participant

Ill see if i can replicate it later. I aint got time to deal with all these bugs in PS let alone record or document each and every one of them.

Fixed it now using:

1. create a new group (folder icon)

2. click on that group, make sure the delete icon is lit up and the group is deletable

3. drag and drop what you couldnt delete into that group

4. you should now be able to delete what you couldnt delete before

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Fede221022343kry

New Participant

Hey! Having the same problem in Photoshop CC 2020, your workaround seems to work. Thank you!

lwt89

Known Participant

was this ever fixed? now in the latest CC and its doing it for me too. Ghosted delete button in the layers palette, delete key on keyboard also doesnt work. restarted comp, restarted PS, nada

Brett N

Adobe Employee

Still haven't seen the issue replicated (you can't fix something if you can't recreate it, otherwise how will you know if you've fixed it?)

Can you provide a screen show of the behavior in action? Or a file that has this behavior?

Brett N

Adobe Employee

Still works for me. Make sure your layers panel is what is currently in focus (that you don't have a cursor is some field to set the value for some slider or tool).

Trevor.Dennis

Community Expert

Or Photoshop is waiting for input for another action - having a Free Transform active for instance.

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