Liquify Tool "disk error" PS 2025

[NemoNiemann]

For several months, I had issues where Liquify would not work on my Windows 11 system. To use the tool, I had to go all the way back to my PS 2022 version. (I always keep at least several back versions on my computer because I frequently run into issues where newer versions are wonky.)

I solved the issue by resetting my preferences, which I hate doing because I have my own workspace I've created which suits my needs, and resetting craps that all up. So, after resetting, I worked with first Essentials workspace, then copied over my own workspace and Liquify was ok. Over the course of the past few days, I changed a few things to my workspace, adding some plugin panels, re-arranging some windows of pallets. now Liquify again does not work! What the heck is going on? It takes time to recreate the workspace I have used for years and am comfortable with to work quickly and efficiently. I've wasted hours trying to solve these issues. Another good reason to get rid of the subscription model. Most of the PS updates are bugging and sometimes take whole versions to correct.

[AlanGilbertson · Accepted solution]

Turn off automatic updates in the CC desktop app:

Save a backup of your "Adobe Photoshop 2025 Settings" folder. On Windows, you'll find this at [systemdrive]\users\[userID]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop 2025. If you run into the problem again, just copy the backup over the existing.

Given that you should not be seeing this happen so often, I'd also recommend you open a command prompt as administrator and run sfc /scannow to check for any OS-level corrupted files, then run a thorough test of the drive this is sitting on to ensure there isn't a hidden hardware problem.

[NemoNiemann]

Thanks for the suggestions. I already have automatic updates turned off. Though I run sfc /scannow periodically, I ran it again. No issues were found.  Just now I tried resetting the preferences by renaming the preference folder, which seemed to fix the issue previously, but this time I still get the same error message. I have had this issue now in PS 2024/2025 but not in PS 2022 or in checking just now, 2023, which is why I keep the older Photoshop version on my system -- just in case. Very frustrating.

[AlanGilbertson]

A couple of things come to mind, because what you're experiencing is unusual and very specific. Something is causing it to happen, but it's likely to be specific to your installation. Faced with something this bizarre, and I've had my share of bizarro experiences, my suspicions tend to fall on either the OS or the hardware (corrupted storage or memory). You've done almost all the normal app-related troubleshooting steps and clearly have deep knowledge of them. 

My next step would be to run an "upgrade in place" of Windows. If you're on 23H2 or later, then you also have an option in Settings > System > Recovery headed "Fix problems using Windows Update" with a button that says "Resinstall now." Details are here.

Another way to isolate the problem, if it's still going on, is to set up a separate, local account on your machine and install CC there, then see whether you still have the problem. If not, then the issue is something in your regular user account.

If the problem still shows up, I'd definitely run chkdsk /f /r on the drive that holds your program files and on the scratch drive if different, and a full memory check. In fact, I'd probably do those steps anyway if I hadn't run them in the last 12 months.

[Mix343]

I have the same error on 2 different PCs. It's been a year now and it's getting worse, 1 year ago it appeared after 3-4 photos, now it doesn't work at all. I need to disable hardware accelleration to make it work as intended, but disabling HA makes the Liquify tool a terrible experience.

So, now, exactly, what am I paying for? To get scammed?

[AlanGilbertson]

Good question. What are your hardware specs (including choice of GPU)? Not all systems are supported, so it's worth verifying that your hardware is on the list, especially the GPU. Use the GPU troubleshooting steps. If you have an Nvidia GPU (assuming it's supported), ensure you're running the Studio driver and not the Game Ready driver. Only the Studio driver is tested against non-game apps, and I've seen the problems that can come from using the wrong version.

[Mix343]

I have a 4070Ti on one desktop, an integrated (Intel) on the other one, and I get less errors on the second pc. 

Gameready drivers MIGHT be unstable with releases, the issue here is that Photoshop worsened without updating them, also Studio drivers are quite the same as older Game Readys.

[M-H]

How is this marked as correct answer?

How making a backup of PS settings folder was meant to help in anyway? Is this what you do when you get errors on yr device? You just duplicate some folders and hope for the best? C'mon man...

Same with auto-update settings - maybe I'm dumb or retardded but if there is something wrong with current version i would assume updating it to the newer version should be the first step of troubleshooting...

Maybe (just maybe!) if you never had this issue (clearly not really using Photoshop that much) you shouldnt really even be trying to resolve it?

Could moderators please unmark the incorrectly marked answer to make it more visible for Adobe?

Im on W11 23H2, PS 26.8 (but Beta PS 26.9 is doing same) and im having to restart PS couple times per hour every day to get liqufy to work again. Already tried with fresh install of windows on brand new (dell 13th gen i9, rtx 3500, 32ram) device with fresh install of PS and after couple of images the error still pops up.

Clearing cache, changing scratch disks or any performance settings also didnt make any difference at all.

Disabling GPU kinda helps but im not spending all that money on laptops with dedicated GPUs and most up to date Adobe licence just to be switching functionality off because Adobe cant act resposibly and adress the issue

[CMass]

Hey @M-H, 

I can see how frustrating this has been, especially after all the steps you’ve taken. To help us better focus on your specific issue, could you start a new post with all the details you've shared here and link back to this thread for context? That way, we can give your case the attention it deserves and avoid confusion with earlier replies. 

^CM

[Kelvin Lim]

What worked for me was to run Photoshop without 3rd party plugins. You can do this in Windows by holding the SHIFT key while launching Photoshop.

The suspected real culprit in my case was Capture One, not Photoshop. I have C1 version 22 installed (yea old version but still working great), and whenever I had it running, PS Liquify will fail randomly with the disk error. Not running C1 concurrently with PS fixed the problem even if I launch PS normally (with plugins).

[Enchanting_experience0D45]

I've had the same "disk error" when trying to run Liquify or larger images (Ps 26 version). Even with hundreds of GB free on two available disks, it wouldn't run the tool. I got Ps 25.0 version back and it's normal again. 

[NemoNiemann]

Well, the stupid freaking Liquify issue raised its ugly head yet again. I seemed to have sorted it out, though I'm not quite sure how to be honest. Definitely, not by disabling lots of things or resetting the preferences, which I hated doing since I like the recent file view upon launch. I did try all of those things, though. What created this latest issue seems to be the go ol' update. I updated and the Liquify Beast is back. For now, I'm back to swapping between 2022 and 2025. Pain in the butt. Thank you Adobe.

[Sameer K]

Hey, @NemoNiemann, & @Enchanting_experience0D45. Thanks for bringing this up. Recently, @M-H shared a finding that went under the radar and it'll help us dig dipper into this. Please try the steps shared here: https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/liquify-quot-disk-error-quot-still-ha...

Let us know how it goes in Photoshop 26.8.1. Thanks! 

Sameer K

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