Eye dropper / color picker not working 2023

[ecouteuse]

HI 

I'm using the latest update to PS, on a Mac, which is also completely updated. I am only using 1 screen as I have seen there were issues with two screens. 

Currently, my eye-dropper/color picker is not working and hasn't been for about a month. 

I have also tried rebooting the Mac, signing in and signing out of PS, to no avail. Suggestions please? It's really slowing down my workflow.

Thanks,

Toni

[AkinGn]

Hi @ecouteuse, it seems like you're asking a question about Photoshop, I think if you post it to the Photoshop ecosystem it will be more likely to get an helpful answer: https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem/ct-p/ct-photoshop?page=1&sort=latest_replies&lang... 

[ecouteuse]

Thank you -- it wasn't obvious to me on the help form that there were different ecosystems forums, but that makes sense. I'll know for next time, thanks.

[NB, colourmanagement · Accepted solution]

Perhaps try a thorough reset of Photoshop preferences?

(read this entire post before acting please)

Resetting restores Photoshop's internal preferences, which are saved when Photoshop closes.

If they become corrupt then various issues can occur.

Here’s some info on how to do that:

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/preferences.html

Manually removing preferences files is the most complete method for restoring Photoshop to its default state: 

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/preferences.html#Manually

Note re macOS: The user Library folder is hidden by default.

To access files in the hidden user Library folder, see here for how to access hidden user library files.

https://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/global/access-hidden-user-library-files.html

Unexpected behavior may indicate damaged preferences. Restoring preferences to their default settings is a good idea when trying to troubleshoot unexpected behaviors in Photoshop. check out the video

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/preferences.html#reset_preferences

Learn how to access and modify Photoshop preferences and customize per your frequent workflows

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/preferences.html

And here’s an earlier forum discussion as an aid to understanding

https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/quick-tips-how-to-reset-photoshop-pre...

You may want to backup your settings and custom presets, brushes & actions before restoring Photoshop's preferences.

Here is general info about that:  https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/preferences.html#BackupPhotoshoppreferences

Before you reset your preferences

in case of future issues, I suggest you make a copy as Adobe may need one to check problematic references. 

Quit Photoshop.
Go to Photoshop's Preferences folder

Preferences file locations: https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/kb/preference-file-names-locations-photoshop.html\

  [on MacOS see: Users/[user name]/Library/Preferences/Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings

  Note for those on macOS: - be aware that the user Library folder is hidden by default on macOS.

  https://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/global/access-hidden-user-library-files.html

  In the Finder, open the “Go” menu whilst holding down the Option (Alt) key.

  Library will now appear in the list - below the current user's “home” directory. ]

Now you can drag the entire Adobe Photoshop [Version] Settings folder to the desktop or somewhere safe as a back-up of your settings.

Note for those on macOS:

Preference preservation is affected by macOS permissions,

you’ll need to allow Photoshop ‘Full Disk Access’ in your Mac OS Preferences/Security and Privacy

It may even be time to reinstall Photoshop.

It’s recommended that you use the Adobe CC cleaner tool to remove all traces first.

(See above about preserving preferences though! Its worth preserving them unless they are corrupted.)

https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/kb/cc-cleaner-tool-installation-problems.html

Uninstall Photoshop BUT make sure to choose the option “Yes, remove app preference”.

Once that process finishes, start the installation process and look into the “Advanced Options”. Uncheck “Import previous settings and preferences” and choose to “Remove old versions”.

I hope this helps

neil barstow, colourmanagement net :: adobe forum volunteer

google me "neil barstow colourmanagement" for lots of free articles on colour management

[Kevin Stohlmeyer]

Hi @ecouteuse this is pretty common on the Mac.

Go to Apple System Preferences/Security and Privacy/Screen Record and make sure Photoshop is listed and active in that list.

Better yet, also make sure Photoshop is listed/active under Full Disk Access.

When you first used your eye dropper a warning may have come up that you either ignored or clicked no. That was the Mac OS asking to allow PS to record your screen (eyedropper).

[ecouteuse]

Thank you--this time it was the corrupted preferences above. Apppreciate  you taking the time to answer. 

[Diaghe]

it worked! thank you

[TheDigitalDog]

What do you have set for the sampling? Do you have layers? Can you show us a similar screen capture:

[claude b.]

This worked for me! Thank you!

[ecouteuse]

Thank you, this was the fix. Appreciate it.

[ecouteuse]

This reply didn't thread properly -- the fix was the corrupted preferences and I appareciate everyone taking the time to answer.

[Eliot2558113459as]

Same here. No eyedropper. I gave uop fixing it a while back. Nothing seems to fix it. Easy enough to manually put in color values but still a bit funny they broke the eye dropper. Hehe. RIP Eyedropper. 

[Toastman3000]

Whats the point of adding in all this AI stuff if eyedropper tool doesn't even work? 

Nothing seems to work on a mac, I have to use native mac eyedropper tools to get the correct colours as PS can't do it

[Catworker]

same here. mac 15.3.2, psd 26.4.1 - eyedropper outside psd still not working.

Apple System Preferences/Security and Privacy/Screen Record PSD is allowed like ai, ae... but not working...

[Catworker]

funny, i can not edit my own comment (nothing happens by choosing ... more, edit comment). tststs.

anyway. just want to mention, that of course I tried a (manual) reset of Photoshop preferences.

[Claire H.]

Hi @nautrino,

Please provide more details about the issue. A screen recording of the problem would be very helpful. This will allow us to see exactly what's happening and provide more accurate guidance.

In the meantime, please refer to the troubleshooting steps mentioned in the previous thread:

1. Double-check your System Preferences and make sure Photoshop is checked. 

2. Update Photoshop and macOS and make sure both Photoshop and your macOS are up to date. Sometimes, updates can resolve compatibility issues.

3. Ensure that the Eyedropper tool settings are correct. Common issues include sampling the wrong layer or mask, incorrect sample size, or not having the "Show Sampling Ring" option enabled.

If you follow these steps and still encounter issues, please let me know, and we can explore further options together. Your screen recording and additional details will be very helpful in diagnosing the problem. Thanks! ^CH