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New Participant
April 6, 2021
Answered

Error Msg "unable to initialize backing library: lib:PlugPlugExternalObject"

  • April 6, 2021
  • 10 replies
  • 5825 views

PS is giving me this error msg twice everytime I click on a tool/choose one/select a layer. It's not that great fro productivioty,. I didisntalled/reinstalled Ps, but to no avail…

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Correct answer MattIrvingAU

I was suffering the same problem "unable to initialize backing library: lib:PlugPlugExternalObject", after switching to Mac Silicon.

 

Here's the fix that worked for me:

  • (macOS) Users/<user name>/Library/Preferences/Adobe Photoshop <target_version> Settings
  • Inside that folder, look for "tw0001.dat" and delete it or rename it to tw0001.dat.OLD (it's used for some old extension that is no longer required)

 

Cheers
Matt

10 replies

Participating Frequently
January 17, 2024

Me, too constantly, to the point I am using photoshop Beta most the the time, because I don't get that crazy annoying pop-up

MattIrvingAU
MattIrvingAUCorrect answer
Participating Frequently
July 5, 2023

I was suffering the same problem "unable to initialize backing library: lib:PlugPlugExternalObject", after switching to Mac Silicon.

 

Here's the fix that worked for me:

  • (macOS) Users/<user name>/Library/Preferences/Adobe Photoshop <target_version> Settings
  • Inside that folder, look for "tw0001.dat" and delete it or rename it to tw0001.dat.OLD (it's used for some old extension that is no longer required)

 

Cheers
Matt

New Participant
June 29, 2024

This worked and was MUCH better than all the other "fixes/solutions" I saw regarding resetting all prefs, deleting reinstalling program, etc.  Quick and easy! I just can't believe this post hasnt been acknowledged or upvoted yet. THIS IS THE SOLUTION.  Thank you Matt!

Participating Frequently
July 20, 2022

Same problem

 

New Participant
February 25, 2022

Hi

I get this error when clicking anywhere when using Photoshop. It comes up three times them disappears until I click somewhere else.

Can anyone explain the problem, please?

 

Thanks

 

 

Photoshop 23.2.1

Mac Configuration

Model: iMac21,1

OS Version: macOS 12.2 (21D49)

Graphics chip: Apple M1

Memory: 16 GB

 

New Participant
April 13, 2022

I still have this issue despite several updates. No-one has answered my original post. Please respond or I will be ditching Adobe for good.

New Participant
December 29, 2021

has anyone found a solution for this? Suddenly happening ot me as well

Participating Frequently
December 29, 2021

I did find a "fix" it is posted above.. hope it helps you too!!

New Participant
January 3, 2022

Yes but photoshop is supposed to be running natively on M1 right now. Would rather not use rosetta.  It was working fine up until the latest update too. I've just gone back to a previous verison, but the whole app just seems to be running slow af. I keep having to install / uninstall it to get it running smoothly. Total Nightmare. Making me want to switch to affinity 

New Participant
December 27, 2021

I have the same problem, spent a lot of time researching but to no avail. Iwould appreciate some support PS 2021 mac

Participating Frequently
December 29, 2021

Yes, I found the solution.

Go to the Photoshop app in applications.  With the app selected use the (mac) using the keys "Command I' and

in the pop-up box choose use Rosetta.  Although Adobe said it will work with the M1 chip in Mac's it seems to be

an unstable match so chaning to Rosetta so far has cleared up this issue.  PS 23.1 and Mac Monterey

I hope it work for you, too!

New Participant
December 29, 2021

Yes I have notice the rosetta was not check so now all is fine 🙂

New Participant
December 18, 2021
I also have this problem since the last update Dec 2021 - Ps version 23,1 -Error Msg "unable to initialize backing library: lib:PlugPlugExternalObject"
Pupup click away 2x then the operation oké

 

Brainiac
December 18, 2021

If you go to Preferences > Plug-ins... and uncheck "Load Extension Panels" then restart Photoshop, does the problem continue?

New Participant
December 19, 2021

I may have acted decisively. I uninstalled and reinstalled Photoshop and now everything is fine. I did lose my brushes and have to reinstall them.

 

Brainiac
October 18, 2021

Do you have any 3rd party panels/extensions installed?

Participating Frequently
January 3, 2022

Yes, of course..

 

New Participant
October 18, 2021

Same problem, its so annoying I cant even work like this!

Participating Frequently
July 10, 2021

Im experienceing this same problem at the moment. The same error message pops up over and over with any tool im using. Were you able to find a solution?