Error: There is a problem with Generator

[vickyt30273394]

For past two days, I get this error and some of PS function don't work: "There is a problem with Generator. Please quit Photoshop and try again. If the problem persists, remove any third-party plug-ins or try reinstalling Photoshop."

Today, I updated PS, and it installed this version:

Adobe Photoshop Version: 20.0.8 20191122.r.92 2019/11/22: 1208122 x64

I don't think I've added any plugins and the Generator plugin in the photoshop files is empty.

I've restarted PS, I've restarted my machine, and I've udpated the software.  I still get this same error message.  I can't find a support ticket system for monthly subscription users, is there one?  Please assist. Sincerely, VT

[Bret-LAV]

Yup, Malwarebytes. Just started today and all the steps in the help doc weren't working.

I excluded the entire Adobe folder.

[paulr70035325]

Same here. Excluded the entire photoshop folder in Malwarebytes and warning gone. 

FYI- even with the warning, I expereinced no PS functionality loss or issues. 

[ericf92342658]

You are my man !!! 
That was the solution !!
THX

[RH Miller]

Thanks, Ged!  Malwarebytes was causing my issue.

[sipho]

This was useful. I didn't have Malwarebytes installed by excluded Photoshop.exe from Ransomware protection and that solved the issue.

[RachelTevelow]

This was super helpful! Thanks for posting.

[charlest51495662]

I am unable to export from Photoshop.  I get a error dialog box that says, "there is a problem with generator" and links me to these forums with an issue many years ago.  This just started for me.  I disabled the GPU and the error remains.  please help.

[NeddyGames]

Hey Charles - I started a thread on this yesterday as well.  Still waiting for somebody smarted than me to help.

[shafi_su]

Hi,

                       Me too had the same issue and tried almost everything to get rid of the warning message for which the results were negative after every attempt.But, Finally when I had an accidental glance to my notifications panel, which is at the bottom most right corner of the task bar in Win 10 I got the solution for it.

                      When I clicked the notification which said "Unauthorised changes blocked(Controlled access blocked)"  it lead me to the " Virus & threat Security/Protection History" in Windows Security.From there I "allowed" the "AdobeGCClient" or else you can simply turn of the "controlled folder acess" under Ransome ware protection.

IN SHORT  :

Goto Windows Security ˃ Virus & Threat Protection ˃ Ransomeware Protection (Bottom most) ˃ Manage Ransomeware protetion ˃ Allow an app through controlled folder access ˃ type "YES" for the prompt ˃ Add an allowed app ˃ select recently blocked app (you must have tried to open Adobe PS and try to export a file) ˃ Select "Adobe Photoshope.exe" and the "node.exe" . 

Thats all!!

Done!

Now go back and open Adobe PS..No more erorrs!!!

Note : This worked for me don't know whether it works for you,but please have a try!

[PtePartz]

shafi_su, I just wanted to say thank you. This has been bugging me for quite a while now and this fix was the only one to work after trying so many others!

[Ann Bens]

Generator error message keeps popping up when opening Ps despite applying solution 1 and 2.

[Guest]

Hi Ann

What operating system do you have, if you're on Windows 10 a couple of things to try, first go into the registry to this location

Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders

Make sure the Personal value is set to %USERPROFILE%\Documents

Also try turning off Controlled folder access

https://kb.acronis.com/content/62142

[Ann Bens]

Ah sorry forgot:

W10 prof. 1909 one account only me and all admin.

Alas this Hkey thingy did not work

Controlled folder acces was already disabled.

[Guest]

Have you tried disabling Generator in preferences

[Ann Bens]

Thank you, that fixed it.

Did not know it was in the Pref.

Dont use Ps that often.

[robert ls84253010]

Hi. I've had the same problem. I haven't gotten into the registry, but I'm using a university-owned and -managed laptop, and might not be able to. I tried solution 1 and 2 from the suggested link in Ps. I came here to this thread: I disabled Generator in preferences, and confirmed that the controlled folder access was off. It still tries to load Generator when I try to export the file. Any ideas?

[brownshoe_photo]

This solved it for me! I had tried every other solution on the web. My "Personal" key was blank. I changed it to %USERPROFILE%\Documents, and that worked for me.

[Harralzen]

This solution worked perfectly for me!

Win 10 user without Malwarebytes installed, but getting the generator-error.

I did however very recently remove a harddrive from my computer, so my registry was pointing to a directory that was not present. (E:\Documents, where the E: drive was removed). Changing it to %USERPROFILE%\Documents was the fix for me.

[Maxim Titov]

This method really works! I had the wrong %USERPROFILE%\Documents, and after I fixed it to valid the generator error was gone.

[Colin Southern]

I've been chasing this all morning. Finally found the solution (for me anyway) - it was being caused by MalwareBytes, who are aware of it. This link for more info and the work-around: https://forums.malwarebytes.com/topic/254622-latest-update-breaks-photoshop/?tab=comments#comment-13...

[casualderision]

UPDATE: I've added Node.exe and port 8010 to allow list for both Malwarebytes and Windows Firewall which has stopped the error message, but didn't actually fix the issue. Export is still broken. See screenshot.

These have made no difference, and have all been attempted multiple times:

- disabling Generator

- resetting Photoshop preferences

- uninstalling all Adobe software

- running the Adobe Creative Cloud Cleaner Tool to clean all Adobe software from computer

- manually deleting the 25,000 remaining Adobe files from my computer after running cleanup tool

- manually deleting the hundreds of remaining Adobe registry entries after running cleanup tool

- reinstalling Photoshop

[Guest]

Hi

A lot of people are experiencing this issue, I've added your post to This Thread

[casualderision]

Thank you! I appreciate the help and info.

[Guest]

Just found this, Adobe seem to have a fix/workaround

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/kb/error---there-is-a-problem-with-generator--occurs-when-launchin...

[va115]

Used the suggestion of excluding the photoshop folder in the settings of the latest version of Malwarebytes and it worked for me.  Generator is no longer a problem report when opening Photoshop.  Thanks for info.