MacOS Sonoma 14.4 Photoshop Elements 2023 and 2024 crashes if clicking on Settings

[ChrigelKarrer]

HI!

I just stumbled over a odd problem another user mentioned in the Apple comunity.

Machines: Macbook 14 M3 + MacBook 16 M3

OS: MacOS Sonoma 14.4

Photoshop Elements 2023 and 2024

2003 was installed 2023/03 and worked flawless until i discovered the bug today.
Uninstalled 2023 with Adobe Uninstall software and installed 2024 version and same happen, again on both MacBooks.

Either Version works as supposed, except:
When i click on Settings (or how it's called in non German versions) (top bar menu point, all right side) then Photoshop Elemet crashes immediately and show a crash report.

This happen immediately when clicking on either of the several Settings to choose from.

Not sure if this is a German Language version problem or happen under other languages too.

Adobe support suggested to create a test user with admin rights to check if same occures.
I did that and same happen, PS E immediately crash/close after clicking on one of the several settings to choose from.

Anyone with same problem and/or any suggestions how to solve that issue?

Thanks in advance and have a great day!

Chris

[Jeff Arola]

Doesn't seem to be an issue here so far, running the US English versions of 23/24 on macOS Somoma 14.4 on a 2022 Mac Studio.

You might try resetting the preferences on Adobe Photoshop Elements 2024 Editor by going to

Macintosh HD/Users/UserName/Library/Preferences

and trash the following

Adobe Photoshop Elements 24 Settings folder

Adobe Photoshop Elements 24 Paths

com.adobe.PhotoshopElements.plist

[ChrigelKarrer]

Thanks Jeff!
I uninstalled both PS E and Premiere Elements using the Adobe uninstaller.

Switched off Antivirus

deleted the files you mentioned
inmstalled both 2023 versions again as i don't wan't to spend money to upgrade to the non working 2024 version

same problem, PS E crashes when clicking on one of the available settings
Premiere Elements works normally and settings can be set

Installed PS E 2023 again

same problem, immediatley crash after clicking on one of the several settings to choose from

Probably a problem with the German Language Version, i will see if i can find a US Version of 2023 or 2024 and install it to check that.

Thanks

Chris

[Jeff Arola]

What happens if instead of clicking on the Settings menu you use the Cmd + K keyboard shortcut to open the Settings(Preferences)?

[ChrigelKarrer]

Thanks again Jeff!
What i did meanwhile is:

uninstalled all Adobe Software i had, PS, LR, CC, PSE and Premiere Elements using the Adobe unistaller software
deleted manually all remaining Adobe references in /library

Downloaded German Version,  installed and activated again PS E 2023

Same problem clicking on one of the several Settings leads to crash
Ctrl K same thing, Photoshop Elements crashes

I will uninstall again PSE and install theEngish version to check if that works

Chris

[ChrigelKarrer]

Just a short update

US English version of PS Elements 2023 show the same error, crash either clicking on 
Preferences ad then on any of the choices, same for using Command K

So it seems that it's not the German Version of PS E,

it's rather the German Version of Sonoma 14.4 and/or the MacBook with M3 chip.

So i will use Photoshop instead till this bug is fixed

Chris

[ChrigelKarrer]

I got no reply from Adobe Support till now so i continue with my own investigation.

Just to pinpoint the problem:

Any other MacBook Users here having the same problem?
If so, what Processor and language do you use?

Chris

[ChrigelKarrer]

I made some other tests today

2023 MacBook Pro M2 with Sonoma 14.3
I have this MBA 13 for sale and found that it was still on Sonoma 14.3

PS E 2023 works as supposed, no crash while opening the settings page.

Installed the Sonoma 14.4 update

PS E crashes again when opening settings page

2024 MacBook Pro 14 M3

uninstalled BitDefender and CleanMyMac X apps to exclude any interference

uninstalled PS E 2023

reboot

installed PS E 2023

crashes again as before

That shows me that Sonoma 14.4 update let Photoshop Elements crash when the Settings Page opens.

Also nor BitDefender nor CleanMyMac seem to be the problem.
My ProtonVPN was on or off and don't affect crash either

Chris

[Jeff Arola]

If the crash generates a crash report for Apple, can you paste the contents here on the forum where someone may be able to spot something.

Also on the same computer that the crash report is from in the photoshop elements 2024 editor go to Help>System Info

and paste the contents of that here on the forum as well.

[ChrigelKarrer]

Thanks Jeff

I try to attach the crash dumps

[Jeff Arola]

Do you have any third party plugins like ON1 installed for photoshop elements 2023/2024?

If you hold down the Shift key while starting  photoshop elements 2023 or 2024

and click Yes when the Skip loading optional and third party plugins dialog appears are you then able to click on the Settings without a crash?

[ChrigelKarrer]

Hi Jeff

No, no additional Plugins, just installation from the Adobe .dmg

Holding shift when starting and denying loading plugins will give same error, immediately crash after settings clicked.

Chris

[MiKo61]

Hello everyone, I have the same problem ... the crash with error report has only been since the last update on the part of Apple..

[ChrigelKarrer]

Mi Michael

sorry to hear that and welcome to the club.

Apple messed up the Sonoma 14.4 Update really well with several important bugs so i guess that they will hurry up with a new update 14.4.1, particularly the USB Bug rendering a lot of mac users with wired crashes (and a lot with external monitors) every few hours up to rendering the machine with usb acccessoires unusable.

However, for collecting data what may let me find similarities, do you mind to write here exactly what system (computer, monitors, usb accessories, etc you have and how it's connected?

Also one important point i consider as one reason for the massive problems Sonoma 14.4 is creating around the world is:
When you installed your new Mac, did you migrate it in whatever way (TimeMachine/Migation Assistant) or did you set it up freshly, downloading the software from Apple Store or Developer website and then copied your personal data either manually or with time machine to have a virgin computer?

Chris

[MiKo61]

Hi Chris

Thanks, let's wait for an update from Apple:-)

I am currently using a MacBook Pro M3 Max macos 14.4. I have not migrated with TimeMachine/Migration Assistant. All apps have been redesigned...as I prefer a new, clean system. I already have my other app restrictions with macOS 14.x __ MS Outlook no longer starts in the background (ticket at Apple support), some DB apps do not save automatically but have to be backed up again - there are also interruptions via the HUB USB-C and (USB A,B) and the Ethernet 1G interface to the NAS sysn. DS212.

Michael

[ChrigelKarrer]

Hi Michael,

wow then your machine is more penalized than mine,

until now i found no problems except the PS E Settings crash.

There are so many problems with Sonoma 14.4, particluarly the one crashing the USB-C ports leaving a lot of users with disabled or crashing usb-c devices and especially usb-c monitors.

Good to hear that you - like me - take the time and work to set up a new computer from scratch as this is the only way to go and enjoy a clean setup. 

I got the below answer from Adobe Support, i tried it but crash problem persist
The solution the proposed was the one below, you may try it just to check if it works on Your machine, on mine it mady any and odd behaviour is the same.

We are following up with you in regards to the issue you are facing with Photoshop Elements crashing while using Apple settings.

Please provide permissions to the Adobe folders by following the steps below & see if that works.

Please click on Go on top of the screen & select Go to folder, Type /library & hit enter. Go to Application Support folder. Look for Adobe folder , Right click on it & select Get Info. Expand the option sharing & permissions, open the lock on the bottom right by entering the password,  Provide read & write value to all the users. Click on the gear icon on the bottom & select apply to enclosed items, Click on Ok.

Once done, please repeat the same steps with ~/Library location as mentioned below.

Please click on Go on top of the screen & select Go to folder, Type ~/library & hit enter. Go to Application Support folder. Look for Adobe folder , Right click on it & select Get Info. Expand the option sharing & permissions, open the lock on the bottom right by entering the password,  Provide read & write value to all the users. Click on the gear icon on the bottom & select apply to enclosed items, Click on Ok.

[ChrigelKarrer]

Problem still persists.

Next Sonoma or PS E update will most liekly fix it.

Waiting for that...

Chris

[MiKo61]

Thank you for your support in debugging.

I have completely reinstalled the MBP and also implemented the suggested solution mentioned above.

......................

      Configuration error   

=> Please uninstall and reinstall the product.  

     If this problem still occurs, please contact Adobe technical support for help, and mention the error        code shown at the bottom of this screen.

     Error: 16

.............

But I don't want to waste any more time as a software tester.

I'll have to wait for a manufacturer's solution.

Michael

[Anders33076067wmwi]

Same craches here PSE 2024 swedish with settings on my new Macbook with m3 pro,  no problen on my earlier m2 Max, could it be cpu related?

[Justinas R.]

OMG, people, this solution had worked for me! Yes, there were ON1 plugin installed, and i did exactly what Jeff told with skipping plugin. OMG, nice. Thanks!

By the way- I have MBP MAX, M2, SONOMA 14.6.1

Thanks Jeff!

[Greg_S.]

This problem has been reported to Adobe.  It appears to be affecting both French and German users.

[Claudio21807116fqvr]

Same for Italians...

[DaJo1307]

I have the same problem with the French version of PSE 2024.

It's becoming clear that the problem is not language-related.
Mac Studio M1 Max with Sonoma 14.4.1 ...

[Michael347620886dxo]

Same issue here. Is Adobe making any progress in fixing the bug?

macOS Sonoma 14.4.1

Adobe Photoshop Element 2024 24.0 (20240321.Git.m1.7eee7ec) arm64

[Bartosz36434551jzuz]

Just wonder - is there any update for this bug?