Smudge Tool as Default "Brush" Tool Upon Logging In?

[MonaAlicia]

Ok, so is this weird? Every time I log into Photoshop now, the "smudge tool" is selected instead of my brush tool as a default and I have to keep switching it back to the brush tool to be able to paint. It's really annoying. Is anyone else experiencing this? Or did I click something wrong? 

HELP! 

This version of the app: Adobe PS 2022, 23.5

My device: Mac OS Monterey 12.5.1

I log in, and every time I go to paint- nothing shows up, I check, and it's automatically on the burn tool. I have tried re-opening the app, and it keeps happening. 

Thank you!

[Sameer K · Accepted solution]

Hi there,

Welcome to the Photoshop Community. Thanks for reaching out.

Do you use the keyboard shortcut for the Brush tool (B), or do you use the mouse click to select the brush tool? Are you using any other input device with Photoshop, like a pressure pen & tab?

You can go to Edit > Toolbar > Reset Defaults & then try restarting Photoshop again.

If this does not help, we need to ensure there are no stale/damaged preferences of Photoshop.

• Go to the location of the preference folder mentioned below and rename it to backup. (https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/preferences.html)
• macOS: Hold down the Option key in the Finder when using the Go menu. The library will appear below the current user's home directory.
• Library > Preferences > Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings
• Rename the Adobe Photoshop folder by adding a .old at the end. (Adobe Photoshop 2022 > Rename > Adobe Photoshop 2022. old)

This will give a fresh start to Photoshop as a fresh install.

Let me know if it helps.

Thanks!

Sameer K

[MonaAlicia]

Thank you, Sameer! Yes it did help! Thank you so much! My art thanks you too! 🙂