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Participating Frequently
April 11, 2023
Question

PSD file opening a black screen - 1 layer only.

  • April 11, 2023
  • 20 replies
  • 2142 views

Hi! So last night I was working, then I closed my Photoshop (even created a backup psd file). Then today when I try to open both files, it only shows up a black screen with a single layer. 

The files still have the same mb, so there's a way to recover it?

Please help.

Below are 2 examples of what happened. Also, there's no way to recover from local temp files, because the PC was shut down.

This topic has been closed for replies.

20 replies

NB, colourmanagement
Community Expert
Community Expert
May 15, 2023

@nicoPixto 

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

 

Manually removing preferences files is the most complete method for restoring Photoshop to its default state. This method ensures all preferences and any user presets which may be causing a problem are not loaded.

  1. Quit Photoshop.

  2. Navigate to Photoshop's Preferences folder.
    macOS: Users/[user name]/Library/Preferences/Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings
    Windows: Users/[user name]/AppData/Roaming/Adobe/Adobe Photoshop [version]/Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings

     
    Note: The user Library folder is hidden by default on macOS. To access files in the hidden user Library folder, see How to access hidden user library files.
  3. Drag the entire Adobe Photoshop [Version] Settings folder to the desktop or somewhere safe for a back-up of your settings

  4. Open Photoshop.

     New preferences files will be created in their original location.

 

 

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 behaviour may indicate damaged preferences. Restoring preferences to their default settings is a good idea when trying to troubleshoot unexpected behaviours 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 customise 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-preferences/td-p/12502668

 

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

 

If that doesn't fix the issue:

Go to Preferences > Performance... and uncheck Multithreaded Compositing - and restart Photoshop.

Still hanging? 

Go to Preferences > Performance... click Advanced Settings... and uncheck "GPU Compositing" - then restart Photoshop. 

Do you still have problems?

 

 

 

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! It’s 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
Community Expert
Community Expert
April 11, 2023

Hi @neeriw this is truly just a one layer file with a black fill - there is nothing physically wrong with the document. It appears that this was flattened and saved this way. Both files have only 1 mb of data so there isn't any hidden data - thats the file size of a 1 layer no pixel data file at the current size.

Participant
May 10, 2023

Hi ! 

I'm a bit late on this thread, but I had that problem couple of time in the last two years and I am facing it again today.

It is just amazing that NO recovering option are clearly explain or at least a proper explanation, other than blaming the user.

I used Photoshop for the last past 28 years and I never had problem that big !! For the third time, I am loosing HOURS of work. It would be nice form Adobe to assume those bugs and offer real compensation.

Now I'm going back to work as my client will already receive his project one day later than plan, for "computer problems". How serious is that !

 

Sorry for the negative share, I'm just a little upset.

And i am still open for more info.

neeriwAuthor
Participating Frequently
April 11, 2023

@CShubert Did it! Still not working

neeriwAuthor
Participating Frequently
April 11, 2023

@Kevin Stohlmeyer I've uploaded on my Creative Cloud and sent you the link on private message! 

Kevin Stohlmeyer
Community Expert
Community Expert
April 11, 2023

Hi @neeriw is it possible for you to upload it to your Creative Cloud or some other service and share the file for us to review?

CShubert
Community Manager
Community Manager
April 11, 2023

A couple things to try @neeriw:

 

Update your video driver:

Name: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti/PCIe/SSE2
Driver age: 4 months
Driver version: 31.0.15.2756

 

Also, try to free up some HD scratch disc space:

Inicialização, 237,9G, 70,9G livre

 

neeriwAuthor
Participating Frequently
April 11, 2023

@Kevin Stohlmeyer Just in 2 files. I was working on a main PSD - then created a backup one for safety (I guess I was feeling this happening lol). But both of them are having this issue. Besides this all working well.

Kevin Stohlmeyer
Community Expert
Community Expert
April 11, 2023

Hi @neeriw I guess the first question we should have asked is - are you getting this error on all documents, new and previous or just the one document?

neeriwAuthor
Participating Frequently
April 11, 2023

@Kevin Stohlmeyer Still not working. I asked a friend to open the psd file on his PC and the same error happened. It's strange because the file has 691mb, meaning that there's still data - and if I save the black layer only over the old psd, it goes to 2mb.

Is there a way to recover the psd file? I can't restore older versions tho.

Thank you

jane-e
Community Expert
Community Expert
April 11, 2023

Kevin, I've seen some threads get moved into that primary thread faster than you can blink an eye. I wasn't saying you thought it was the same but am just attempting to stop it from being moved. If you can think of a better way, I'm all ears!

 

Jane