Photoshop does not respond to clicks or keyboard but not freezing

[li15C2]

I came across a bug recently that happan when using generative fill and pen tool (so far..).

Photoshop keeps working (it isn't stuck or freeze) but I cant click anything and do anything both with mouse and keyboard. any solution to this problem?

[Sameer K]

Hey, @li15C2. Welcome to the Photoshop Community. I'll help you figure this out.

Before troubleshooting, update Photoshop to the latest version (v25.7) via the Creative Cloud desktop app & check if the issue exists. 

If it does, try these suggestions:

Update the Windows to the latest version. 

& 

Go to the location of the preference folder below and rename it to backup.

• Windows 10/11: Users/[user name]/AppData/Roaming/Adobe/Adobe Photoshop [version]/Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings
• You can press Press the Windows key > Enter 'Run' > Enter %APPDATA%\Adobe
• Rename the Adobe Photoshop folder by adding a .old at the end. (Adobe Photoshop 2024 > Rename > Adobe Photoshop 2024. old), You can restore these preferences later if needed.(https://adobe.ly/4860qM9)
• Restart the computer.

These changes will give a fresh start to Photoshop as a fresh install. Let me know how it goes.

Thanks!

Sameer K

[li15C2]

Hey Sameer, 

Thanks for the help. I'm afraid that the problem still occuring. 
I attached a screen capture of the problem. Not sure how much you can understand from it but I'm trying to click on different thing and there is no response. 

Cheers.

[NB, colourmanagement]

@li15C2 

Perhaps 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

Help others by clicking "Correct Answer" if the question is answered.

Found the answer elsewhere? Share it here. "Upvote" is for useful posts.

[li15C2]

That's the first thing I did. I had a problem with illustator as well, so I formatted my computer and installing everything from scratch and although somehow the problem I had with illustrator solved - in photoshop it didn't.

I installed an erlier version of photoshop so I could keep working but with the latest version the problem continuous.

[andyl17117603]

Curious, do you have different input methods for your keyboard?

[li15C2]

Hmm... what do you mean by different input?

[RRKing]

I have the same issue and use a simple keyboard wired.  nothing special.  I've also tried all the above and have the same issue.  only 25.0 seems to work but all later versions do not.

[li15C2]

Updated to the latest version (25.9). The problem continuous.

[interesting_Ocean5FA0]

I have the exact same problem for a while now, and couln't find any solution except using Photoshop only with mouse and avoiding keyboard... which is very unconvenient...

[RRKing]

I'm having the exact same issue.  I have found that version 25.0.0 does not do this but all versions after including 25.9 do this as well.  For me it's not just the pen tool but anything that seems to be random or when i select something.  Then it doesn't allow me to do anything but the mouse shows it hovering over menu items and layers.  

Sometimes going into task manager and terminating explorer.exe and restarting it again returns the focus to photoshop and you can use it again.  Whats strange is if i try and dump photoshop.exe or analyze wait chain photoshop crashes with no error.

it's like there is a child window being displayed but is invisible so you can't click on photoshop.  it's very strange.  I have tried all the normal fixes from resettings preferences, re-installing, turning off GPU, using the CC cleaner tool etc etc.  The only fix so far is using version 25.0.  But now when i use 25.0 i get library issues so now i'm in a situation where adobe photoshop is just a waste of time.  Anyone get any info on this?

i use only a keyboard and mouse wired.  nothing special.  no tablet or short cut keys like xkeys or anything. 

[olofj53028936]

I agree with the description of a child window. It acts very similar to older years when a dialogue box would pop up on a display that isn't connected but still active in windows. 

I notice it happening often when accidently changing input language, since the hotkeys sometimes overlap. 

[olofj53028936]

Have the same issue. Can right click the icon in taskbar (windows) and open recent files or close the program. But the program won't let me click the dialogue box to save the file I'm working on...

I suspect it has to do with changing keyboard input, since I have several languages installed and the hotkeys are overlapping with photoshop. 

[li15C2]

interesting. I also use multiple languages.

[li15C2]

Installed version 25.9.1. I had some hope for a little while. I was able to work for about an hour and unfortunately the problem still exists. btw - on the beta version everything works well.

[Brave_Mist5C44]

Oh, I have the same issue. May I ask if you have found a solution?

[li15C2]

Hey @Brave_Mist5C44 

It seems that the latest update solved it. Atleast on my computer.

[Brave_Mist5C44]

Thank you very much for the reply. I'll check it out.