Error - Target Channel is hidden in Photoshop

[Elliott B.]

In Photoshop CC, I am constantly getting the message "Could not ...... because the target channel is hidden" whenever I try to do anything.  Every time, I check and see that the alpha channel is selected and hidden, so I select RGB instead.  Why does it keep automatically switching back to alpha?

[defaultcwywkb8vmblx]

thanks

[paul_carkhuff]

In my case I found out that when I was accidentally right clicking on the curves icon, when I meant to left click on it. I have a wireless mouse and it's easy to do:( This had the effect of creating a layer mask in a curves panel, instead of just a layer with curves adjustment. Since the curves panel showed up right where I expected it, I failed to notice that I was creating a layer mask with a curves in it. Then I went to use my eraser and got the same message. It kind of messed me up for a while, but I solved it by deleting the unwanted layer, and then deleting the alpha channel which was also inadvertently created. I had a similar problem with using the option key when using the quick selection tool. I heard a click, click, click, etc. and then my keyboard was inactivated. I resolved this by hitting the option key multiple times until I heard the click, click, etc. again. There are numerous ways to get in a weird setting that is not helpful, and then it takes forever to figure out what happened and how to fix it. Especially since it's unintentional, a person has no idea what they might have done. Luckily sometimes there is a sound to indicate that something weird happened.

[olim92435738]

You are in quick-mask mode

Push the letter Q and all your troubles will go away...

[krissyr53702966]

Oh thank you so much

[loyalcreation]

who wold've thought pressing Q is the only answer

Kudos!

[dwest1124]

Thank you. Nothing else would work. Appreciate your simple answer.

[Reuben2634530687hp]

Nailed it - thanks!

[rileys01]

Thank you!

[sebastienne Mundheim]

Hi All,  Its been so long since I've used photoshop.  I I am unable to use the type tool after creating several layers.  The pop us says "Could not use the type tool because the target channel is hidden."  I do not know what "the top panel" is where I could deselect masking.  Thanks for any help!

[Waybridgellc]

REALLY ANNOYED BY THIS FEATURE! WIsh Adobe wouldn't keep chaning things around. Almost cried at my desk not knowing why this was happening. 

[Rasheed25785416kyg5]

press Q