Photoshop transform controls disappearing even though "show transform controls" is on [2015]

[Liamthellama]

I was hunting around for ages because this new issue popped up where my transform controls would just... no longer show up. I could still move my image around but couldn't scale the image when selected. To fix this (without restarting photoshop) you will need to go into "freeze transform" mode. To do this the quick way, just hit ctr+t then up the top hit the little tick and they should reappear.

Hope that helps someone.

Liam the llama

[Jeff Arola]

Maybe you just need to check Show Transform Controls in the tool options for the Move Tool.

[Liamthellama]

Next time it happens I'll try that one out as well,

Thanks for the tip

[Jpeger]

This is what fixed it for me. Thank you.

[mereditha29747516]

that's it! thanks.

[Jeff Arola]

[Liamthellama]

Oh no no, in the heading of this thread I said even though "show transform controls" is on. Thats the issue. Even though thats ticked on they will disappear. You can click that on and off as much as you like they aren't going to return unless you go into freeze transform mode and out again.

[Shayde48]

Just happened to me, Perfect answer thank you so much!

[Jeff Arola · Accepted solution]

Or you have View>Extras unchecked.

[shaneh40073784]

Thanks for that, was driving me crazy! Though it was a grouping issue.

:0)

[aljohara.jeje]

Great!
after crazy hours: finally!

Thanks

[kathydannelvitcak]

I have View> Extras Checked...BUT it only seems to affect one usage. If I open another file, I have to check it again...over and over.  Yes, I have Auto Select Layer on and Show Transform Controls is checked. Photoshop & OS are both updated to latest.

I have shut Photoshop and rebooted system and it still doesn't hold onto these settings. I feel like Photoshop is gaslighting and snickering to InDesign, "Watch this, it will make her crazy." 

Thanks for any help!

Kathy

[lyfe]

This helped me.  Thank you so much @Liamthellama.  I know this post is 5 years old but it worked for me using Adobe Photoshop CC 2020.

[Lisa6C2B]

It worked for me also. The other ideas did not though. 

Saved me so much time!

[ch69786247]

Helped me!!!! Thank you!!!

[findlays68337494]

Still helping people in June 2021. Nice one!

[Red Point]

I have the same issue. "Show Transform Controls" is checked. "View > Extra" is checked. I can move the layer but cannot transform, as the handles don't appear. When I duplicate the layer, handles appear on copy. But not on the original one. Seems to be a bug. With the last update, the sticky issue was also re-introduced. Didn't have an issue since some time. When I move a layer and then let go, it then bounces back to the initial position, like it is connected to a rubber band. I don't know how many times it was solved in an update only to re-appear again. A real nuisance when your on a deadline.  

[Jim2315320974yv]

I had this issue for a while and through trying some of the above I found that I needed to check View > Show > Layer Edges. Now when I click on a layer, the transform controls show.

[Karma Kissed Me]

This is what finally worked for me - thanks Jim!

[Invitado]

This helped me too!! Finally!!

[lucillen46641511]

I was having same issue. the TRANSFORM CONTROL was not showing up in the menu bar, when it used to.

i checked my MOVE tool and it was on DIRECT SELECTION TOOL....duhhhhhh, change it back to MOVE TOOL and it worked fine SMH lol

[melissaw20356196]

The CNTRL T works, but there is nothing to click to make them stay for good.  It's driving me up the wall.

[jane-e]

@melissaw20356196 

Some things have changed since 2015.

• Ctrl+T is still the shorcut for Edit menu > Free transform

• Show Transform Controls has been move to the cog wheel in the options bar for the Move tool

See how to use both here:

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/free-transformations-images-shapes-paths.html

Jane