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Participating Frequently
May 16, 2022
Question

Photoshop stuck on hand tool

  • May 16, 2022
  • 20 replies
  • 36632 views

The only tool on my screen is the hand tool. Nothing else works. I tried restarting the program and nothing works

20 replies

Participating Frequently
February 17, 2025

I just updated to photoshoop 2025 and the only tool available is the move tool. Ive researched on line and nothing works

 

Participant
January 30, 2025

Using PS 26.3.0 on iMac OS 13.7.1.  The cursor in PS is stuck on the hand tool.  Stuck.  Can't use another tool using mouse or stylus. I've seen multiple posts about this same problem going back several years to the present. I've scoured the net,  just about every PS forum, tried every suggested solution, and nothing has worked.  I don't use a Waccom tablet and the spacebar isn't stuck so that's not the problem. I have projects due and can't complete them so I've had to resort to using the free app, KRITA.  Great program, but would rather use PS.  I’ve used PS since version 0.1 and have never had a problem until this one.  Why hasn't  this bug been fixed??   

Digirock
Inspiring
January 16, 2025

Forget about all the answers here as 'space bar is stuck' or 'reset cache', 'reboot photoshop' etc.
I had the exactly same issue and there was only ONE thing that saved me: going on the preferences folder and rename Adobe Photoshop 2024 Settings and Adobe Photoshop 2024 Paths. Who actually did that was an Adobe Creative Cloud agent through remote access. I'd never figure it out, I'm not good in changing these kind of stuff. 
If you're on Mac, go to users> username > Library > Preferences. 
Then rename the file "Adobe Photoshop 2024 Paths" to "Adobe Photoshop 2024 Paths old", per example. 
Do the same thing with the folder "Adobe Photoshop 2024 Settings". 
And voi-la: I bet it's gonna work, just as worked like a charm with me.

Participant
September 24, 2024

You have not upgraded to the new Apple OS None of the photoshop tools worked untile I re booted twice, your guy couldn't connect to my computer so he could not see what was going on - this was after 4 attempts than the line went dead  (did not disconect just could not hear anything

jane-e
Community Expert
Community Expert
December 13, 2023

 

I don't know who marked this post correct, but I've unmarked it.

 

The most likely reason is that another application has taken over the shortcut.

 

 @KarinK ~ is this resolved for you?

 

Jane

 

herehole
Participant
December 11, 2023

REASON FOUND! ITS WACOM!!! I removed everything connected to the tablet, turned off the table itself and restarted the computer. Everything worked

Participant
October 13, 2023

so almost every day now both illustrator and photoshop will get stuck with on the hand tool and there is no way i can figure out how to get it off short of restarting the whole computer restarting the programs does not work and when it happens or about to happen it will not let the space bar register so its acting like there is no spacebar but it definatly works im using it to type this.
this is photoshop 24 and illustrator 23 both up recently updated to newest versions available on 

macOS 14.0

Participant
July 21, 2023

Having this same problem. Sometimes I'm just really dissapointed in Adobe not fixing their bugs.

Participant
July 26, 2024

A year later, still not fixed.

Participant
February 8, 2023

SOLVED (for me at least)

system settings > accessibility > keyboard > turn OFF 'full system access'

Participant
November 3, 2023
Try system settings > accessibility > keyboard > turn OFF 'full system access'
Participant
November 5, 2022

Did you ever figure out how to solve the hand tool problem?

I have the same problem as you had with the new photoshop 2023

Participant
November 11, 2022

I also have this same problem, I closed and reopened. It worked for a few minutes again and then suddenly stopped letting me use tools again

 

KarinK ~Author
Participating Frequently
November 11, 2022

Hello Igal and Haley- I still have the same problem. I have tried everything and given up. Illustrator and Photoshop, same thing. So dissapointed in Adobe for not fixing this problem!!!!!!!!! We pay a monthly fee and these problems should be taken care of. I wish I could help. I have to save what I'm doing quite often 😞