Gradient tool adding black to CMYK blend that should have no black

[19911hb]

I work in CMYK mode creating comics and my color swatches all have 0% black. When I try to do a gradient, say from 30% magenta to 40% cyan the  gradient tool is adding 4% black to the blend. I have two computers, both running latest versions, but it is only happening on one. I can't see any difference in settings so am baffled as to why this is happerning. In researching this, I noticed someone had the same issue 3 yeras ago but the community didn;' have an answer then ...  Hopefully, better luck this time! Any ideas? Thanks!

[Sameer K]

Hey, @19911hb. Welcome to the Photoshop Community. I'll need more information to help you figure this out. Please share a few screenshots and the system information from Photoshop Help > System info > Copy and paste into a text document > upload and attach here. 

Before anything else, please update Photoshop to the latest version via the Creative Cloud desktop app. 

In this case, you can begin by resetting the Gradient tool itself. Right-click on the Gradient tool icon in the Toolbar menu and select Reset Tool.

If this does not help, please ensure there are no stale preferences in your Photoshop. You can go to the location of the preference folder below and rename it to back it up. (https://adobe.ly/3u7u84j) This method is more effective compared to the in-app Reset Preferences at quit method. 

macOS: Hold down the Option key in the Finder when using the Go menu. The library will appear below the current user's home directory.

Library > Preferences > Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings

Rename the Adobe Photoshop folder by adding a .old at the end. (Adobe Photoshop 2025 > Rename > Adobe Photoshop 2025.old)

This will give a fresh start to Photoshop as a new installation.

Let me know if it helps. Thanks!
Sameer K

(Type '@' and type my name to mention me when you reply)

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Please provide a file with the Gradient Layer.