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Levels not working after update

New Here ,
Feb 06, 2021 Feb 06, 2021

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I just installed the latest Elements 2021 update on two different machines. The manual Levels tool no longer works correctly. Auto Levels still works fine, but when I move the sliders manually, nothing happens. 😞 

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Bug , Problem or error

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Community Expert ,
Feb 06, 2021 Feb 06, 2021

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Does a Levels adjustment layer work?

Try resetting the preferences file. Go to Edit>Preferences>General tab and click the Reset Preferences on next launch button.

 

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Community Expert ,
Feb 07, 2021 Feb 07, 2021

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@Greg_S. 

In my own setup (Win 10), adjustments layer work normally, but the 'preview' checkbox is inactive. The preview is only shown when you release the mouse.

Something may have been changed as well as another similar issue with curves after the last update:

https://photoshopelementsandmore.com/thread/7605/2021-update-grants-tools-curves

I have not found any similar workaround for levels preview, but of course, an adjustment layer seems the way to go.

Already mentioned in the feedback forum, you may add your vote:

https://feedback.photoshop.com/conversations/photoshop-elements/levels-not-working-after-elements-20...

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Community Expert ,
Feb 07, 2021 Feb 07, 2021

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Michel, the regular levels dialog (brought up with Ctrl+L) works fine for me in 2021.1.   I just tested out the difference between 2020 and 2021.1.  The preview is definitely a little more responsive in 2020, but it is barely noticeable.  I'm wondering whether it is a hardware issue. 

 

If you move the levels slider and wait (several seconds?) before releasing the mouse button, is there no difference at all?  Does the preview never change?  If you commit the change in the Levels slider, is there no change to the image?

 

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Explorer ,
Feb 07, 2021 Feb 07, 2021

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"If you move the levels slider and wait (several seconds?) before releasing the mouse button, is there no difference at all?  Does the preview never change?

Greg, like Michel, the preview box does not instantly respond, but if the sldier is moved and I wait 2 seconds the preview box changes. 

Clive

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Community Expert ,
Feb 08, 2021 Feb 08, 2021

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Michel, the regular levels dialog (brought up with Ctrl+L) works fine for me in 2021.1.   I just tested out the difference between 2020 and 2021.1.  The preview is definitely a little more responsive in 2020, but it is barely noticeable.  I'm wondering whether it is a hardware issue. 

 

If you move the levels slider and wait (several seconds?) before releasing the mouse button, is there no difference at all?  Does the preview never change?  If you commit the change in the Levels slider, is there no change to the image?


By @Greg_S.

Hi Greg and Pontiac,

Yes the effect of the move shows after you release the mouse button.

However, this change of behaviour makes the 'preview' button to be nearly useless. Its purpose is to allow a real time preview when you move a slider or tab to stop on the precise setting when the 'preview' looks optimal. With this change, you can only get the right setting by several 'trials and errors'.

What is curious is that the levels adjustment layer is fluid as usual.

 

I think that we'll be able to find other tools with similar preview issues. The gradient map adjustment layer also has the same problem: even if you wait some time, the effect is only shown when you release the mouse button.

 

There must have been a reason for this change of behaviour. I am tempted to think that Adobe's efforts to take advantage of the GPU for more features is the real reason. Users want more and more speed, especially for LR classic, and the changes for LR have consequences on ACR... and the changes may not work optimally with Elements without using GPU, which is very limited and with Elements with lower specs computers. People often complain that "if it is not broken, don't fix it"; but very often, that is the result of trying to satisfy the requests of many users. At least, I think that is what is happening with the ACR crop tool in Elements.

 

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Adobe Employee ,
Feb 09, 2021 Feb 09, 2021

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Thanks for reporting the issue. We are working on resolving this.

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Community Beginner ,
Dec 20, 2023 Dec 20, 2023

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Version 2023 has the same issue with levels preview not working. So what's the solution? Almost three years later? Levels is one of the most important tools. Really disappointed with version 2023, older versions worked perfectly.

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Community Expert ,
Dec 20, 2023 Dec 20, 2023

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In PSEv.2024, Levels Adjustment layer works perfectly. One can see the changes without releasing the mouse button. Resetting the black or white points works as well.

On the other hand, Enhance>adjust lighting>levels one has to release the mouse button in order to see the changes.

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Community Beginner ,
Dec 20, 2023 Dec 20, 2023

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Thanks. I know the workaround with adjustment layers. But there is a fault in the software when ctrl+l does not give a preview as in previous versions. Using layers means 4 menu selections to get to the adjustment. That slows down working.

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New Here ,
Feb 09, 2021 Feb 09, 2021

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Thanks everyone, I have to agree, it is the preview that is not working, and it's happening on several tools. You have to move the slider and release to see any changes. I note below that a tech from Adobe has acknowleged the issue. Thanks for all the great responses.

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New Here ,
Aug 26, 2021 Aug 26, 2021

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Is anyone working on a fix for this? Six months on and the latest update still hasn't fixed it.

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