tool not working

[thisisirrational]

using Photoshop Elements 2024 on Windows 10.  Clone tool is not working, started yesterday. I get a message that says the opperation could not be compleated because no pixels were selected. tells me to alt click on source. I HAVE been doing that! repeatly. also, in addition to the message box coming up, I get my computers , I don't know what it's called - the area that tells a person what is on thier computer so something could be selected.  It comes up too at the same time. I am wondering if Adobe is doing this delibertly to get me to purchase the 2025 version of Elements?  ( I have gone to Preferences and clicked on reset at next launch. ) problem continues. 

[hatstead]

That message comes up when you are on a blank layer or an adjustment layer. Are you sure that the active layer is one with pixels on it for the source point.?   Also, on the clone tool's option bar, check the box "sample all layers." 

If all this fails, consider uninstalling/reinstalling the program. Be sure that you sign out via the help menu before uninstalling.

[thisisirrational]

I am not on a blank or adjustment layer but a singel layer flattened image. I have "all layers" checked. if I uninstal and reinstal, how am I going to do that without paying for the software all over again? It's really bad that this program  becomes inoperable with less than a year of ownership!

[Glenn 8675309]

Screenshots taken with a phone really are not much help:   They often leave things out that would help users with your issue.   

There is no "Plan , attempt, scam, or secret deal" to get you to purchase a new version, there never has been such a thing.

Please post a screenshot, and actual screenshot, not a picture taken with your phone of when your problem occurs.   Problems such as yours can typiccally be attributed to a couple of things, which are are bit difficult to decide upon without seening the entire screen.

Below is an actual screenshot of the entire program- being able to see everything save a lot of "back and forth" trying to figure things out. 

[thisisirrational]

I did not use my phone - I used my camera, a real camera, because I do not have the ability to take a screen shot. I do not know if it is because my keyboard "PS" key is not working or something else. If you can tell me how to get a screen shot, I will attempt to get one.

[Glenn 8675309]

https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/discussions/windows11/how-to-take-screenshot-on-windows-10/37602...

[thisisirrational]

hope this will be recieved.

[Glenn 8675309]

You need to reset the tool:

[Glenn 8675309]

If that still does not work:  do what the arrow is pointing at.

[thisisirrational]

I found the dots and clicked on reset tool. that did not help. next, I clicked on reset all tools and that did not help. Next, I clicked on reset preferences on next launch and that did not resolve the problem. I am sending another screenshot, at least I hope it is a screenshot as two of the methods for getting a screenshot did not work.

[hatstead]

I have been following this thread right along. Going back to your initial post, you imply that the malfunction of the clone stamp tool is a recent development. Please repeat the maneuver again using the other ALT key on the keyboard (there are 2 next to the space bar on mine.)  Are the mouse & keyboard plugged in to the computer, or is there a wireless connection?

[thisisirrational]

the mouse and keyboard are pluged into the computer. I tried cloning with the other alt key, still does not work. I get the same message as before.

[Glenn 8675309]

find the icon you use to start the editor.  Press AND HOLD your left shift key , then press the icon that starts the editor.  Answer yes when given the chance to.  see if the clone tool works. 

Me?  I'd just log out of the editor, uninstall, and reinstall it with the download in your Adobe account. 

[hatstead]

That is what I recommended in my initial post above

To @thisisirrational:

Log in to your Adobe account and make sure that the program is listed there. 

[thisisirrational]

the program is listed. big headache now! I tried to download and can not!! I click on download and nothing happens!!! now I have logged out, uninstalled PE 2024 and can not reinstal it!!!!

[thisisirrational]

that did not work. I'm going to uninstal the program and try to reinstal. I am scared to death that isn't going to work either, something will go wrong. If I can't figure it out.............!

[thisisirrational]

and what about all my images that were in 2024?

[Glenn 8675309]

Your images aren't "in" PSE they are where they always have been.   

If you uninstall and then reinstall Photoshop Elements, your images will still be in your catalog as the image files themselves are stored separately from the catalog data, which is a separate file that is not deleted during the uninstall process; when you reinstall, the software will simply reconnect to your existing catalog and display your images again. 

Key points to remember:

• Catalog is a separate file:

  The catalog in Photoshop Elements is a database that keeps track of your image locations and metadata, not the images themselves.  
• Images remain in their folder:

  When you uninstall, the image files stored on your computer remain untouched.  
• Reconnecting to the catalog:

  Upon reinstalling, Photoshop Elements will automatically try to reconnect to your existing catalog, allowing you to access your images again. 

[thisisirrational]

well, I changed browzers and this time was able to download PE 2024. It has taken three hours to install. THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. I signed in with my serial number and tried to work on a picture trying the clone tool. It gave me nothing but a tiny cross hair and resizing it did not change anything except it did bring up the very same message box telling me the opperation could not be performed because no pixels were selected and to ALT click and select a source! I am sending a screenshot from the time after the new download and install.

[thisisirrational · Accepted solution]

Please Read! hello, everybody! to those who have been following this thread, I have something important to say.  I continued having the same problem even after I uninstalled PE and download and re-installed PE 2024. BUT.... the problem has been resolved. It's all most funny but really not! In frustratingly  fooling around I discovered that if I held down the Windows and ALT keys at the same time, I was able to use the clone tool. THEN, I noticed that on my keyboard, the light at the top was Green. Now, on my keyboard there is a slot with a light. For use with Windows it is to be BLUE and for use with a Mac the light is to be GREEN! I read the words under the light and it said to hit the FN and PD keys for Windows and to use the Fn and PU keys for Mac. WELL, since the light on the keyboard was Green----I switched it to Blue.... and problem is solved. I now am able to use the clone tool and it works fine. Now, how did this problem start? I have three little kittens who love to lay on my keyboard and delight on walking on the keyboard....well, there you have it.

[Glenn 8675309]

I never would of thought about the keyboard being the issue, a good thing to rememeber for future users.   TRY THIS:  switch it back to the mac keyboard and see if the clone tool stops working.

[thisisirrational]

I did as you suggested. I first tried cloning something with the keyboard set to Windows, then switched the keyboard to opperate as if I was using a Mac computer. Problem returned. the clone tool would not work. I got the same error message as before. I then switched the keyboard back to Windows and everything is fine.

[Glenn 8675309]

Excellent!   Next time Someone has a simliar problem I will direct them to you answer, and you can tell them how to fix it.   I have a Logi MX keys keyboard, paid $110 for it, best keyboard ever- it can do mac / windows.   Even has a Cmnd Key / Aly key. 

[Ton37338903ce5y]

Hello Clenn,

How can you see the difference on a laptop mac or windows?