Content-Aware Fill feature is greyed-out in Photoshop

[susane77866555]

My content aware button is greyed out.  Why?

{Moderator note: Edited the thread title}

[Norman Sanders]

Which one?

Did you remember to make a selection first?

[msnoreaster]

I've has PS for 24 hours and already my content aware button under fill is grayed out. I watched a video on repairing damaged pix's, so if the above "did I make a selection first?" comment is supposed to make me feel better about PS, or teach me something, It did not. I shut down restarted. HOW DO I GET CONTENT AWARE back???????

[Chuck Uebele]

Can you show screen shots? Maybe you're on a layer that can't use content aware fill, like a smart object.

[msnoreaster]

I completely deleted the pix (the VERY FIRST pix) I did. I don't know how to do layers, but in case, I have it set to "photograpy" on right side, and hit reset photograpy. I shut down program, reopened and added completely new pix. I'd send you a screen shot, but unless I can get my phone which has a rear camera, you're over estimating the term "beginner" I have used PS years ago, and was able to redo old pixs, the video showing content aware made me extremely excited (lot of my pixs been destroyed (house fire/water damage). There HAS to be a RESET, or total flaw! thank you for trying

[gener7]

You do not need a camera to take screenshots. Here's how to take and post them: FAQ: How do I capture and post a screen shot or video?

[gener7]

To Reset Content Aware Fill box, hold down the Alt key on your keyboard. The Cancel button will change to Reset. Click on that Reset to get it  back to defaults.

This tutorial should help you:

Fix photos with Content-Aware | Adobe Photoshop CC tutorials

[miloh96469835]

Keep at it mate , it gets easier. I wanted to throw my computer at the wall when I first started.

[husseinAA]

I keep coming to this thread and comment like a dumb person doing the same mistake all over again! 

[julijulivan]

Hi I'm trying to extend parts of a background layer duplicate which is not locked. It doesnt seem to matter what kind of selection I have, content aware and many other options are still grayed out.

when not selected I can at least transform and scale up. but I would like to extend parts of the image using content aware fill.

[orit_ohm]

Amazing tool, thank you, the smart object was the problem, I flatten the image and it fixes.

[casper11]

I don't know if this is the most appropriate way to resolve this issue, but it worked for me.

- After image is placed, I keep the layer selected and Command + J to duplicate it. (Work from this layer).

- Go to top: Layer > Smart Objects > Rasterize

- Once you've made your selection (with Lasso or Patch tool) you should be able to Edit Fill now.

I'm not sure why Smart Objects can't use Content Aware Fill seamlessly, but this way might help you.

[lucasp1360243]

casper11  escribió

I don't know if this is the most appropriate way to resolve this issue, but it worked for me.

- After image is placed, I keep the layer selected and Command + J to duplicate it. (Work from this layer).

- Go to top: Layer > Smart Objects > Rasterize

- Once you've made your selection (with Lasso or Patch tool) you should be able to Edit Fill now.

I'm not sure why Smart Objects can't use Content Aware Fill seamlessly, but this way might help you.

That works for me. Thank you so much.

[julijulivan]

Thank you for the tips, but it didn't work for me.

[Brigitta5C7F]

me neither. i can't click the rasterized, it's greyed out.

[Angelic_Sunflower5EA3]

I had the same problem just now, I just rasterized all layers and it worked.

[designersaurav]

it works like a magic.....thank u so so much

[ZeeshanGhori]

- Go to top: Layer > Smart Objects > Rasterize

By @casper11

Thank you!

[Peterzero2]

worked for me, thank you!

[Dizzy Dreamer]

You are a genius! 

[Chance Maple]

Hello, Suzane. I had this same question today, and the way that I solved it was by using the lasso tool (L) to select a smudge on my lens, hitting SHIFT + F5, clicking on "Contents:", and clicking on content-aware. I hope this helps anyone who stumbles on this forum!

[julijulivan]

I tried this, but unfortunately it did not work for me either, but thank you.

[AdobePremierePro2019]

Rasterize the layer whose content you want to fill. It should work.

[Elijah Richard]

make sure the layer that you are trying to fill isn't locked 

[Camden5C41]

You have to rasterize the layer that you want to use content-aware fill on. Just right click the layer and there is an option called "Rasterize Layer" Once you do that, the buttons shouldn't be greyed out.