Layer Styles "Blending Options" window disappears immediately after opening

[JonastheDoofus]

Using Photoshop CS6. Version 13.0, x64

Windows 10 home, version 22H2

Each time I open the blending options dialog box to set up a layer style*, the dialog box appears on my second monitor very briefly before vanishing. Despite this, it is clear by how the other interfaces respond (or rather, don't respond) that the window is still open. If I hit enter before any other interface, then it will close as normal, accepting the settings that it supposedly showed me. If I try to click elsewhere, then I am stuck until I pull out the task manager to shut down the program entirely. 

*For reference, I have tried doing this by double clicking the layer, right clicking the layer and hitting blending options, using layer>>layer style>>blending options, and using layer>>layer style>>[insert a layer style option here]. The layer in question is a basic pixel layer, not a smart object or video object.

The following fixes occured to me and have been fruitless:

1. Hovering the icon on my start bar doesn't even show the window.
2. Reseting my workspaces doesn't change where it pops up briefly or that it disappears.
3. Restarting photoshop hasn't changed anything, even if I try toggling the "use graphics processor" box in the performance preferences.
4. As far as I can tell, all relevant drivers are up to date.
5. (Obligatory) Turning the computer off and on again hasn't changed anything.

[micheal_8593]

Try resetting your Preferences by holding Control+Shift+Alt (if on Windows) when you launch the app.I'm not sure of the corresponding key press on a Mac, but this worked for me on a Windows computer with the same issue.

[JonastheDoofus]

No such luck 😞

[NB, colourmanagement]

@JonastheDoofus 

Perhaps you'll need to 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

Manually removing preferences files is the most complete method for restoring Photoshop to its default state. This method ensures all preferences and any user presets which may be causing a problem are not loaded.

1. Quit Photoshop.
   
   
2. Navigate to Photoshop's Preferences folder.
   macOS: Users/[user name]/Library/Preferences/Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings
   Windows: Users/[user name]/AppData/Roaming/Adobe/Adobe Photoshop [version]/Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings
   
    
   Note: The user Library folder is hidden by default on macOS. To access files in the hidden user Library folder, see How to access hidden user library files.
3. Drag the entire Adobe Photoshop [Version] Settings folder to the desktop or somewhere safe for a back-up of your settings
   
   
4. Open Photoshop.
   
    New preferences files will be created in their original location.
   

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 behaviour may indicate damaged preferences. Restoring preferences to their default settings is a good idea when trying to troubleshoot unexpected behaviours 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 customise 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

If that doesn't fix the issue:

Go to Preferences > Performance... and uncheck Multithreaded Compositing - and restart Photoshop.

Still hanging? 

Go to Preferences > Performance... click Advanced Settings... and uncheck "GPU Compositing" - then restart Photoshop. 

Do you still have problems?

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! It’s 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 - co-author: 'getting colour right'

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

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[gener7]

13.0 is the base release. You might want to try updating:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/ps-cs6-13-0-to-13-0-6-update-link/m-p...

Thanks to Jeff Arola you can still download  it for your perpetual licensed CS6.

Fair warning: you are running old software that might not be compatable with your present hardware and drivers.

I really would recommend a CC subscription and updating to Windows 11. CS6 was never designed for monitor setups that hadn't existed in 2012.

[Jeff Arola]

What happens if you disconnect the second monitor?

[gener7]

If you disconnect the second monitor, remember to power it down first. I've gotten stuck with an oversized interface on my laptop by pulling the second monitor's connector without switching it off.