Photoshop Tools Not Working

[Jeff A. Goulden]

I've had some specific instances where Photoshop tools simply don't work.  Right now nothing I try works.  I'm on the latest version of Photoshop 24.1.1 on Windows 11.  I tried restarting the program.  I restarted my computer.  Here's a specific example.  I'm using the patch tool which I use a lot.  This time, it tells me that the area I am selecting is empty.  In the example I am showing, the area selected is the branches on the left of the snipped image.  My snip doesn't show the selected area.  When I move the selected area using the patch tool, I get the error message.  Obviously, my selected area is not empty.  Anyone have an idea what is going on.  Photoshop right now is pretty much unuseable for me.

[Myra Ferguson · Accepted solution]

That error message usually appears if there's a new layer above the image layer and that empty layer is what is selected in the Layers panel when you try to use the Patch Tool.

[Jeff A. Goulden]

Myra, thanks for responding.  What you are saying makes sense.  Right now, the patch tool is working for me.  Next time I have a problem, I'll check if I have an empty layer.  Thanks again.

[Myra Ferguson]

You're very welcome. 🙂

If you happen to notice getting a similar error message with any of the selection tools, you can select the Sample All Layers setting in the Options bar (Window > Options) while the empty layer is still selected.

[Jeff A. Goulden]

Well, I spoke too soon.  The patch tool is working but the clone tool and eraser tool are not.  I checked and there is only one layer.  It says "background".  The clone tool frequently does not work for me.  I pick a place to clone from and when I cover another area with the mouse, it appears to make a change.  When I move the mouse away, the change is not made.

[Myra Ferguson]

If the tools are not acting like they should, you might try resetting your preferences:

• Preferences in Photoshop - Reset Photoshop preferences

[Jeff A. Goulden]

Okay, I tried that.  We'll see what happens.

[AndalusianAnne]

I tried that. It didn't work.