Liquify tool: “file is locked”

[CMHK9]

Hi!

I hope someone can help me. I have an issue with the liquify tool, which works fine for every photo but one folder from a certain date, it will not work. I get the error message that 'Could not complete the liquify command because the file is locked, you do not have the necessary permmissions, or another program is using the file'

I have checked everything,everywhere. Its not locked as far as i can see, the permissions are the same, its all the same as the other folders. I have restarted twice, logged out and back into Adobe and everyhing is up to date. I'm on a Dell Laptop, thats about all I know there.

Anyone have any idea, please?

[Maria37636824levb]

I have the same issue have you found a solution?

[lynb482]

I to am having the same issue today as well. 

[murdoc16]

I've started having this issue now too.  Never experienced it before.  Currently have the latest version, 25.9, could it have anything to do with that?

It happens every few photos I edit, when I use the liquify tool, it shows the prompt (attached): 
"Could not complete the Liquify command because the file is locked, you do not have necessary access permissions, or another program is using the file."

After I close the program and restart it, it seems to work again, but a few photos, the error comes up again.  

[Sameer K]

Hey there! I'll need more info to help you figure this out. Please share a video of this behavior & the system info from Photoshop Help > System info > Copy & paste into a text document > upload & attach here.

Are there any other significant applications running in the background? Does this happen with a specific document? Try pressing the ALT/OPT key when you click on Filter > Liquify Filter & check if that helps. 

Let me know how it goes. Thanks!
Sameer K

[murdoc16]

Hello, I'm still experiencing this issue.  I've recently updated the program to version 25.9.1 and the issue is still happening.  I've attached a video showing the dialog box that appears when this issue happens.  I've also attached a text document with my system info.   When I restart the program the issue goes away however after several files where I apply the liquify filter, the prompt shows up again and won't allow me to use the liquify tool, unless I restart the program again.  

There are no other significant applications running in the background outside my browser, however this has never been an issue before.  I've used Photoshop for over a decade and haven't experienced this until I believe the 25.9 update.  I've tested and it happens with all document types, PSDs, JPGs, PNGs, etc.

Pressing the Alt Key when trying to click the liquify filter does not do anything, it actually closes dropdown selection window for me.  

Looking forward to hearing back from you.  Thank you.  

[Mwils89]

I'm having this exact same problem too and I'm a complete beginner trialling Photoshop and going through the tutorials. So far because of this problem I'm feeling super disappointed about my experience and really want to throw in the towel. I hope a solution is found soon cause there's so much I want to do on here. 

[Thomas22933309hxwb]

In Preferences, Performance you see a box checked that says "Use Graphics Processor".  Uncheck this box and it should allow you to use the liquify tool.  

[hollyf8038531]

Are there any updates to this problem? I am experiencing this as well

[jamesm39561382]

I'm having the same issue, every now and again it starts and I need to save everything reboot photoshop and it works again. I am running Chrome and Lightroom and a few other things in the background. 

Strangely I just tried pressing alt and it worked, I couldn't hold alt down because it closed the menu I was in but if I kind of clicked and pressed at exactly the same time it worked. I've only tried it once.....

[murdoc16]

I tried using the Alt key and I've gotten weird results so far.  
First off, the Alt key must be pressed immediately AFTER (literally milliseconds) you click the Liquify tool in the dropdown menu.  

If you press it before or during the same time as the click, the dropdown menu with instantly close without any action performed.  

Now I have had 2 experiences with this so far.

The first time, when the Liquify window opened, the image it showed in the previous wasn't even the image I was working on.  It showed a very small dimensioned blob of color that wasn't related to the image at all, so that was pointless.  Closed the Liquify window and reopened several times and it still showed the same thing.  Still had to press the Alt key in conjunction with the click.  Again had to restart the program to temporarily fix. 

The second time I tried this (during a completely separate instance) the correct image showed in the Liquify window however the loading of the preview and the liquify operation was very slow compared to how it normally acts.  Closed the Liquify window and reopened and the same slowness occured.  Still had to press the Alt key in conjunction with the click.  Again had to restart the program to temporarily fix.   

[Melanie38404649an7u]

Exact. Same. Issue. It's driving me crazy. 

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Please read this (in particular the section titled "Supply pertinent information for more timely and effective answers”):
https://community.adobe.com/t5/using-the-community/community-how-to-guide-tips-amp-best-practices/td...

[murdoc16]

I responded to Sameer K earlier with a screenshot and video capture of the issue.  I haven't heard back from him.  Let me know if there's any other information that's needed.  

[James34829141nx6j]

You have had since May 22, 2024 to post something that is helpful, perhaps even a solution or word that Adobe is working to resolve this issue. Instead all you've done is copy and past the same message time after time. Why even both involving yourself in the issue?

[c.pfaffenbichler]

When people have problems with programs on their computers they may have to do some trouble-shooting themselves (or their IT-departments have to do it if such exist). 

When they refuse to do so or to answer the question what they have done in that regard what help would you expect one could provide? 

As a newcomer to this Forum you may not appreciate how often restoring Preferenecs actually has resolved problems. 

Obviously not all problems and I am not claiming there are no bugs in Photoshop, but not every Photoshop problem is a bug. 

[Iluhis]

people pay own money regularly for this product and more than a year they are not able to use it normally.I have to totally different PCs (regular tower one and a notebook) with Nvidia cards both and both have a problem of a glitchy liquify. Tha strange thing is when it shows me "disk error" or "file is locked" on the notebook when I'm trying to load liquify I just go and turn off HwAcceleration and it works!! and there are plenty of people with this problem. I'm a bit understanding in PCs, but there are lots of people who don't and don't need to, they pay for a product and want it to work. Yes, I understand that there are sometimes bugs and some time is needed to locate and remove it, but 1+ year... At least one major update is passed, but the bug is still there in both beta and stable one.

We send all the error messages when PS crashes, we leave email there in case if someone will try to contact us.

OK, I'll collect all the info listed, but not sure when i will be able to screen these errors

[James34829141nx6j]

I work in software development. This issue is a product defect and rather than blather on about nothing for nine months, you should have been addressing the community as to how Adobe plans to correct the defect, when the correction will be rolled out and with which version. [abuse removed]

[c.pfaffenbichler]

I work in software development. This issue is a product defect and rather than blather on about nothing for nine months, you should have been addressing the community as to how Adobe plans to correct the defect, when the correction will be rolled out and with which version. Your bot-like droning is useless.

By @James34829141nx6j

I am obviously not an Adobe employee – so how would I be able to make statements on what Adobe is working on? 

Your critiscism of my conduct appears pointless to say the least, but maybe you misunderstand the nature of this Forum. 

[Jason s]

Same.  It stops working after a few files.  Works again upon opening the same file.  annoying [cursing removed].  Hoping to find a fix

[Eddie750]

Mine too.  I used it fine... then 20 minutes later on the same, open file it suddenly stopped working and refused to work from that point forward.  Countless of attempts for two days, then I re-installed Photoshop - did not work.  I then erased my entire Mac, reinstalled MacOS, reinstalled Photoshop and it works again.  It was extreme, but I had a deadline.  Inexcuseable really.

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Did you ever actually restore the Preferences? 

Before re-installing did you use the Cleaner Tool? 

[ID32287022o53y]

[ID32287022o53y]

No me permite usar licuar

[hollyf8038531]

Este es un problema que persiste. No sé por qué no han podido solucionarlo.