Skip to main content
karenw95152531
Participant
May 8, 2018 5:12 PM UTC
Question

How do I restore lost layers? Layers disappeared; replaced by black background

URGENT. Working with PhotoShop CS6 on a Dell computer. I opened the file I was working on yesterday and all 45 layers are gone with just a black background layer with jumbled red pixels in a tiny line across the top. The file size is still the same, 426MB, but the last save date appears to be a month ago instead of yesterday. The computer shut down unexpectedly at some point yesterday while doing other things, so I don't know if this file was open at the time. Other psd files open fine.

Is there a way to restore the layers? Restore the last working session? Is there a hidden auto-save?

I cannot access the "isolation mode" spoken of in other posts.

    6 replies

    josephlavine
    Community Expert
    josephlavineCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    May 30, 2022 2:17 PM UTC

    Do a file search on your computer using the original file name and see if there is a recovered version.

    warmly/j

    Translate
    mauriziog32168090
    Participant
    May 30, 2022 2:01 PM UTC

    oh this this is why i pay photoshop subscription... 1 F week of work lost, saved my file AS ALWAYS went to sleep, woke up, opened the file and i have a black background layer.... way to go adobe CLAP CLAP CLAP

    Translate
    Norman Sanders
    Norman Sanders
    Legend
    May 8, 2018 6:53 PM UTC

    Is auto-save checked?

    Translate
    Norman Sanders
    Norman Sanders
    Legend
    May 8, 2018 7:35 PM UTC

    This appears in the Photoshop CS6 Missing Manual. I hope it helps.

    Translate
    rayek.elfin
    rayek.elfin
    Legend
    May 8, 2018 5:50 PM UTC

    Your PSD file got corrupted.

    In the best case scenario you might be able to restore some of the layered content by opening it in another PSD-compatible application, such as PhotoLine (www.pl32.com, free fully functional trial). Some other services exist that proclaim they can fix corrupt PSD files. But most users I know haven't had much luck with those.

    There might be an autosave file on your system - try searching for it on your Windows (same file name).

    In the worst case scenario all your work is lost.

    This has happened to all of us. Always create a backup or your work, and use versioning (save a new version when you hit a milestone, rather than only using one file).

    Translate
      Amit5E9B
      Participant
      Sep 7, 2020 7:35 AM UTC

      Facing the exact same problem.
      Opening it in Photoline didnt work for me :(( 
      Going to start again from scratch 😭😭😭 So annoying!!!!

      Translate
        Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
        Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices