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Participant
September 28, 2021
Answered

Photoshop new documents opening black

  • September 28, 2021
  • 3 replies
  • 1148 views

Hello,

 

Please help! when I open a simple photo or a multi-layered psd in Photoshop it opens as just a black block... i can't see the layers etc...

 

Any help would be gratefully received,

Sallie 

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer c.pfaffenbichler

Does turning on (or off, depending on the current settings) Photoshop > Preferences > Performance > Legacy Compositing and restarting Photoshop have any bearing on the issue? 

Does turning off »Use Graphics Processor« in the Performance Preferences (Photoshop > Preferences > Performance > Graphic Processor Settings) and restarting Photoshop have any bearing on the issue? 

3 replies

c.pfaffenbichler
Community Expert
c.pfaffenbichlerCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
September 30, 2021

Does turning on (or off, depending on the current settings) Photoshop > Preferences > Performance > Legacy Compositing and restarting Photoshop have any bearing on the issue? 

Does turning off »Use Graphics Processor« in the Performance Preferences (Photoshop > Preferences > Performance > Graphic Processor Settings) and restarting Photoshop have any bearing on the issue? 

Participant
September 30, 2021

Hi c.pfafffenbichler,

 

Thank you so much, I think you've solved it.

 

That first option wasn't possible with my version of photoshop it said 'legacy compositing has been removed'The second idea of turning off the graphics processor setting seems to have made the difference. I've been testing different files and so far haven't seen any opening as pixelated boxes or all black.

 

Thanks again, that was driving me crazy!

Sallie  

c.pfaffenbichler
Community Expert
Community Expert
September 30, 2021

Unfortunately this is no proper solution as it invalidates GPU dependent features (like the Rotate View Tool, 3D Features and some Filter acceleration for example) but it indicates problems with the GPU driver or the OS. 

mglush
Community Expert
Community Expert
September 28, 2021

Hi Sallie,

 

What version of Photoshop are you using? Have you checked to make sure that Background Contents says White in the New File Dialog box? 

If you could give us a little more information, we can help you more effectively!

Thanks,

Michelle

Participant
September 30, 2021

Hi Michelle,

 

Thank you for your reply. The background contents is set to white. I think it's more a memory card thing? 

Sometimes I open a file and it looks like this...

 

 

Other times it's just opens all black. As you can see in my reply to cmgap above, I can sometimes resolve the problem by zooming in and zooming out on the image... after doing that, it will show me the full image - but not always. Sometimes it stays all black.

Many thank,

Sallie

cmgap
Community Expert
Community Expert
September 28, 2021

Please share this file via dropbox or google docs. Can you change your workspace to Photography under the Window/Workspace menu and post a screen shot with your layers panel open?

Participant
September 30, 2021

Hello cmgap,

 

Thank you for your reply! I don't think the problem is with the file, it's happening with everything I open... even a simple single layer photo or multiple layered psd images. For example I just opened a simple jpg photo and it opens like this (see attached) 

 

 

Then if I command + + zoom in and then command - - - zoom out, i can see the image.

 

Do you know what this might be?

Many thanks,

Sallie