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K
korobkov +
Participant
July 14, 2025
Answered

Gradient Tool Stops Working Until File Is Reopened — Photoshop (beta), Photoshop 26.8.1

  • July 14, 2025
  • 1 reply
  • 171 views

Hello,

I'm experiencing an issue with the gradient tool in Adobe Photoshop (beta), Photoshop 26.8.1.
After opening a file and applying adjustments (levels, layers, etc.), when I assign a mask and try to use the gradient tool — nothing happens. It simply doesn’t respond or display. The only workaround is to close and reopen the file, after which the gradient works normally again.

This bug interrupts my workflow significantly, and I would appreciate your assistance in resolving it.

Correct answer Srishti Bali

Hi @korobkov + ,

 

Thanks for reporting this, and sorry to hear about the trouble with the Gradient Tool in Photoshop. To help us investigate this further, could you please provide a few details?

  • System info: In Photoshop, go to Help > System Info, then copy and paste the full text into your reply (or attach it as a .txt file).

  • Does this happen with all files or only specific ones?

  • Does it occur after certain adjustment layers or in specific color modes?

  • Are you using a tablet/stylus or a mouse?

  • Do you notice if the tool works on a new document?

 

In the meantime, I’d also recommend manually resetting Photoshop preferences to rule out any corruption. Close Photoshop and go to the following location:

  • macOS:
    Users/[your user name]/Library/Preferences/Adobe Photoshop 2025 Settings

  • Windows 11:
    Users\[your user name]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop 2025\Adobe Photoshop 2025 Settings

 

Rename that folder by adding .old to the end (e.g., Adobe Photoshop 2025 Settings.old), then restart Photoshop. This will force the app to generate fresh preferences.

 

 

Let us know how it goes after trying the above steps, and we’ll be glad to assist further!

 

 

Best,
Srishti

1 reply

creative explorer
Community Expert
creative explorerCommunity Expert
Community Expert
July 15, 2025

@korobkov + have you tried the non beta, just the good ole fashion, Photoshop?

m
K
korobkov +Author
Participant
July 20, 2025

Actually, Photoshop 26.8.1 is not a Beta version — it's a stable release.
That said, I’ve tested both the Beta and the regular version, and the issue is identical in both.

So it doesn’t seem to be related to the Beta channel — the bug appears to affect the current release version as well.

Srishti Bali
Community Manager
Srishti BaliCommunity ManagerCorrect answer
Community Manager
July 21, 2025

Hi @korobkov + ,

 

Thanks for reporting this, and sorry to hear about the trouble with the Gradient Tool in Photoshop. To help us investigate this further, could you please provide a few details?

  • System info: In Photoshop, go to Help > System Info, then copy and paste the full text into your reply (or attach it as a .txt file).

  • Does this happen with all files or only specific ones?

  • Does it occur after certain adjustment layers or in specific color modes?

  • Are you using a tablet/stylus or a mouse?

  • Do you notice if the tool works on a new document?

 

In the meantime, I’d also recommend manually resetting Photoshop preferences to rule out any corruption. Close Photoshop and go to the following location:

  • macOS:
    Users/[your user name]/Library/Preferences/Adobe Photoshop 2025 Settings

  • Windows 11:
    Users\[your user name]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop 2025\Adobe Photoshop 2025 Settings

 

Rename that folder by adding .old to the end (e.g., Adobe Photoshop 2025 Settings.old), then restart Photoshop. This will force the app to generate fresh preferences.

 

 

Let us know how it goes after trying the above steps, and we’ll be glad to assist further!

 

 

Best,
Srishti

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