Skip to main content
B
Bekf
Participant
February 7, 2025
Answered

Photoshop memory usage grows by 10MB per second

  • February 7, 2025
  • 1 reply
  • 3502 views

Macbook Air M3, 8GB, 15inch 2024

Photoshop memory usage grows by 10MB per second with no files open.

 

Photoshop has become unuasble. Not great considering my job is at least 50% Photoshop use. This session I lost some work because I had to Force Quit PS yet again (numerous times a day) because I had waited 10 mins for a flat file to save. It has hung at 93%.

 

I've tried going back to 2024 and there is a small improvement. I'm back to 2025 because I uninstalled all PS versions and then installed 2025 again to see if it made a difference.

 

I've attached a video of Activity Monitor showing Photoshop's increasing memory usage. I have no files open in Photoshop while this video taken.

 

Correct answer Sameer K

Hey, @Bekf. Welcome to the Photoshop Community. I'll need more info to help you figure this out. Please share the system info from Photoshop Help > System info > Copy and paste into a text document > Upload and attach here. 

 

Please test and confirm if the issue exists with Photoshop (Beta). You can get Photoshop (beta) from the Creative Cloud > Apps tab > Beta Apps section. 

 

If this does not help, please ensure no stale preferences in your Photoshop. You can go to the location of the preference folder below and rename it to back it up. (https://adobe.ly/3u7u84j) This method is more effective than the in-app Reset Preferences at quit method. 

 

macOS: Hold down the Option key in the Finder when using the Go menu. The library will appear below the current user's home directory.

Library > Preferences > Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings

Rename the Adobe Photoshop folder by adding a .old at the end. (Adobe Photoshop 2025 > Rename > Adobe Photoshop 2025.old)

 

This will give a fresh start to Photoshop as a new installation.

Let me know if it helps. Thanks!
Sameer K

(Type '@' and type my name to mention me when you reply)

1 reply

Sameer K
Community Manager
Sameer KCommunity ManagerCorrect answer
Community Manager
February 7, 2025

Hey, @Bekf. Welcome to the Photoshop Community. I'll need more info to help you figure this out. Please share the system info from Photoshop Help > System info > Copy and paste into a text document > Upload and attach here. 

 

Please test and confirm if the issue exists with Photoshop (Beta). You can get Photoshop (beta) from the Creative Cloud > Apps tab > Beta Apps section. 

 

If this does not help, please ensure no stale preferences in your Photoshop. You can go to the location of the preference folder below and rename it to back it up. (https://adobe.ly/3u7u84j) This method is more effective than the in-app Reset Preferences at quit method. 

 

macOS: Hold down the Option key in the Finder when using the Go menu. The library will appear below the current user's home directory.

Library > Preferences > Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings

Rename the Adobe Photoshop folder by adding a .old at the end. (Adobe Photoshop 2025 > Rename > Adobe Photoshop 2025.old)

 

This will give a fresh start to Photoshop as a new installation.

Let me know if it helps. Thanks!
Sameer K

(Type '@' and type my name to mention me when you reply)

B
BekfAuthor
Participant
February 7, 2025

Thank you @Sameer K

I've installed PS Beta and it seems stable. I'll work with it a bit to make sure, but looks good. If not, I'll try your other option above.

I've attached the System Info from PS 2025 help. Photoshop 2025 had been open with no files open overnight with my laptop asleep and was not responding when I tried to quit it with 20.98 GB memory usage. Screenshot attached too.

 

Thanks again for your fast response and your help

Bek

    Kevin Stohlmeyer
    Community Expert
    Kevin StohlmeyerCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    February 7, 2025

    Hi @Bekf curious how you figured you had 20.98 GB memory usage when your computer only has 8 GB total and only ~5 GB for Photoshop (well below minimums). Are you referring to the scratch disk usage?

      Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
      Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices