Why are Photoshop CC preferences grayed out?

[lauriem44700551]

I am trying to access the preferences menu but all of the menu us grayed out. I tried to do it with a file open and with no files open, same result. Help! I am hoping it is something easy and obvious that I am missing.

[c.pfaffenbichler]

What have you done for trouble-shooting so far?

Restoring Preferences after making sure all customized presets like Actions, Patterns, Brushes etc. have been saved might be a good starting point:

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/kb/basic-trouble-shooting-steps.html

[Mike_Gondek · Accepted solution]

How is your Adobe Cloud login looking, are you logged in without any errors?

Reset your OOBE Cache

Quit all Adobe apps including  Adobe Cloud 

delete folder here

/Users/<user folder>/Library/Application Support/Adobe/OOBE

The \Users\<user folder>\Library\ is hidden by default after 10.7,. In finder click go, then hold down option to get to the library folder.

[lauriem44700551]

Thank you Mike! I am brand new to CC so I didn't know about checking the Cloud login icon. That fixed it. Yay, I really appreciate the swift reply.

[Mike_Gondek]

No problem, we are here to help.

Really appreciate  the screenshot, as they seem to always help by providing more information to better diagnose an issue. Would be good if everyone would follow your example when posting.

[lauriem44700551]

Being a visual person, I find it so much easier to communicate with the aid of images.

[Aaron D in KC]

Hi, just to to be sure--would I delete the entire OOBE folder or just its contents?  Deleteing anything I don't full understand makes me nervous.....

[jane-e]

"I am trying to access the preferences menu but all of the menu us grayed out."

Hi

Preferences is greyed out because you are in the middle of cropping. You need to cancel or accept the crop to be able to access menu items.

Jane

[Aaron D in KC]

Well duh—that’s embarrassing!  I need to slow down and take a deep breath.

Thank you!

A

[jane-e]

You're welcome, Aaron! I'm glad it's sorted.

~ Jane