Photoshop won't open after scratch disk full resolved

[Septune]

Almost a week ago I faced the infamous "scratch disk full" message, and so I went online and followed multiple tutorials and instructions I found online to repair it. (Including clearing /tmp & .tmp files, clearing almost 20GB on my drive, trying to use my external harddrive as a scratch disk, resetting preferences, trying to purge photoshop, and even uninstalling & reinstalling Photoshop) I need to use the program for my job and I need help resolving this ASAP!

Now Photoshop won't even open after all of this. I resorted to buying a SSD that may work, but I'm not sure if this will fix the errors too. Any help and new tips would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance!

[Septune]

Note: None of those attempts seemed to clear the scratch disk or open the program. 

[Test Screen Name]

20GB isn't really enough to start Photoshop. Is that all you have? 

What is the current position. Can you start Photoshop at all?

I guess you're on a Mac, but what version of macOS (screen shot of ABOUT THIS MAC may be useful)

What version of Photoshop is it (NOT "latest" please)?

What error messages do you get - screen shots please?

[Septune]

At the moment it doesn't open at all.

The program 'loads' and shows only a black screen. I have Catalina, and Photoshop version 23.5.4.

No more error messages are occuring, simply a black screen now. Thanks for the help!

[Kevin Stohlmeyer]

Your MacBook Air does not meet minimum requirements to run Photoshop effectively. You have 8 GB RAM total installed your Mac. Running the OS takes up part of that RAM meaning you are under the minimum requirements. Photoshop requires a minimum 8 GB dedicated RAM.

For now, if you can get to the Photoshop menu/Preferences (it looks like you can) first try resetting your preferences under General and relaunching PS, then go to Preferneces/Technology Preview and check "Disable Native Canvas".

[Septune]

Thanks for the reply. I'll try that right now.

It was working effectively for about a month or so, and then this problem occured. Is there hope for it functioning again, even after I bought the 256GB SSD to use as a scratch disk?

Thanks!

[Lumigraphics]

Along with Photoshop, you have Mail, Safari, Chrome, Spotify, and Illustrator running. You have a MacBook Air with 8GB of memory and only 20-odd GB of free space on your hard drive.

What this means is that your computer is out of resources. Photoshop has its own scratch disk space, but macOS does as well and you need a LOT more room on your hard drive. As it is, you are asking for the whole system to collapse.

Step one- quit EVERYTHING you have running.

Step two- free at least 50-100GB of space on the internal drive. The more, the better. Make sure you have good backups (two copies of everything important, on different drives.)

Step three- restart your computer and see how free drive space looks.

Step four, when you use Photoshop, DO NOT have other apps running. You have barely enough memory to use Photoshop and for the operating system. That means no Chrome, Safari, Illustrator, no music, nothing else.

Hopefully, this will give you enough breathing room to at least run Photoshop.

[Septune]

Thank you. I've cleared up a lot of space already so I'll try to use it without other applications running. Do you think even with the new SSD harddrive I bought, using that as a scratch disk wouldn't fix the issue?

[Kevin Stohlmeyer]

@Septune addressing the scratch disk is only part of the issue. Mac Book Airs were built to be lower powered/portable machines not powerful like a Mac Book Pro. You really do need more RAM overall or will continue to have issues. I would also stop updating your PS in the Creative Cloud desktop app preferences (disable auto update).

[Lumigraphics]

I would definitely use the external disk as my scratch for Photoshop. Longer term, think about getting a newer and more powerful computer if you are going to be doing graphics work. I bought a refurb M1 Mac mini with 16GB of RAM for US$800, plugged in some USB external hard drives, and it would run circles around your computer. I'm a working pro photographer and programmer and the computer is handling the job well.

[Septune]

Got it loud and clear. Photoshop still isn't working though, so is there anything more I can do to get it running again on my Mac? Or should I download it on my wife's MacBook Pro and use that until I can afford a new computer?

[Kevin Stohlmeyer]

A MacBook pro would be better but make sure it meets minimum requirements first.

[NB, colourmanagement]

@Septune it might help to reset preferences if PS will not open:

Perhaps try a thorough reset of Photoshop preferences?

(read this entire post before acting please)

Resetting restores Photoshop's internal preferences, which are saved when Photoshop closes.

If they become corrupt then various issues can occur.

Here’s some info on how to do that:

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/preferences.html

Manually removing preferences files is the most complete method for restoring Photoshop to its default state: 

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/preferences.html#Manually

Note re macOS: The user Library folder is hidden by default.

To access files in the hidden user Library folder, see here for how to access hidden user library files.

https://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/global/access-hidden-user-library-files.html

Unexpected behavior may indicate damaged preferences. Restoring preferences to their default settings is a good idea when trying to troubleshoot unexpected behaviors in Photoshop. check out the video

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/preferences.html#reset_preferences

Learn how to access and modify Photoshop preferences and customize per your frequent workflows

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/preferences.html

And here’s an earlier forum discussion as an aid to understanding

https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/quick-tips-how-to-reset-photoshop-pre...

You may want to backup your settings and custom presets, brushes & actions before restoring Photoshop's preferences.

Here is general info about that:  https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/preferences.html#BackupPhotoshoppreferences

Before you reset your preferences

in case of future issues, I suggest you make a copy as Adobe may need one to check problematic references. 

Quit Photoshop.
Go to Photoshop's Preferences folder

Preferences file locations: https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/kb/preference-file-names-locations-photoshop.html\

  [on MacOS see: Users/[user name]/Library/Preferences/Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings

  Note for those on macOS: - be aware that the user Library folder is hidden by default on macOS.

  https://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/global/access-hidden-user-library-files.html

  In the Finder, open the “Go” menu whilst holding down the Option (Alt) key.

  Library will now appear in the list - below the current user's “home” directory. ]

Now you can drag the entire Adobe Photoshop [Version] Settings folder to the desktop or somewhere safe as a back-up of your settings.

Note for those on macOS:

Preference preservation is affected by macOS permissions,

you’ll need to allow Photoshop ‘Full Disk Access’ in your Mac OS Preferences/Security and Privacy

It may even be time to reinstall Photoshop.

It’s recommended that you use the Adobe CC cleaner tool to remove all traces first.

(See above about preserving preferences though! Its worth preserving them unless they are corrupted.)

https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/kb/cc-cleaner-tool-installation-problems.html

Uninstall Photoshop BUT make sure to choose the option “Yes, remove app preference”.

Once that process finishes, start the installation process and look into the “Advanced Options”. Uncheck “Import previous settings and preferences” and choose to “Remove old versions”.

I hope this helps

neil barstow, colourmanagement net :: adobe forum volunteer

google me "neil barstow colourmanagement" for lots of free articles on colour management

[Kevin Stohlmeyer]

Hi @Septune hold Cmd + Option keys (macOS) on startup to choose your scratch disk. This will reset the settings instead of the entire preferences.