Scratch Disk is selected but status doesn't show active

FYI I have even consulted with Chat GPT, and have checked all the things the AI-bot suggested - everything confirmed done right. Can any photoshop experts please help?

Below is the suggestion from Chat GPT:

Here are some troubleshooting steps and possible solutions:

1. Verify Drive Permissions

Photoshop needs proper read/write permissions to use the scratch disk. To check and adjust permissions:

• Open Finder and locate the drive.
• Right-click the drive and select Get Info.
• Scroll down to the Sharing & Permissions section.
• Ensure your user account has Read & Write access.
• If necessary, click the lock icon at the bottom, enter your password, and modify permissions.

2. Check Disk Space

Even if the disk is detected, Photoshop needs free space to operate as a scratch disk.

• Check the free space available on the drive.
• Photoshop typically requires a substantial amount of free space (50-100 GB recommended, depending on the file size and operations).

3. Format and Re-Partition Issues

Although you formatted the disk as Mac OS Extended (Journaled), double-check for potential partition errors:

• Open Disk Utility (Applications > Utilities).
• Select your drive and ensure it’s formatted correctly.
• Use First Aid in Disk Utility to check for and fix any errors.

4. Reset Photoshop Preferences

Corrupted preferences can sometimes cause issues with scratch disks. To reset Photoshop preferences:

1. Close Photoshop.
2. Hold down Command + Option + Shift (Mac) immediately after starting Photoshop.
3. Confirm the prompt to delete the settings file.

5. Ensure External Disk Priority

• If you're using multiple drives, confirm that the external disk is at the top of the list in Photoshop's scratch disk preferences. You can reorder drives within the preferences window.

6. Update Photoshop

Ensure you’re running the latest version of Photoshop. Sometimes, issues with scratch disk recognition are fixed in updates.

7. Check macOS System Integrity

• If all else fails, check whether macOS is interfering with the drive’s usage. You may need to:
  • Disable FileVault encryption if enabled.
  • Check for macOS-level drive restrictions via System Preferences > Security & Privacy.

it has already been formatted as Mac OS Extended (Journaled), are there any other problems I am unaware of?