How to Fix Disappeared Brush Outline in Photoshop?

[Jeppe Volander]

Hey Guys,

I can't see the outline of my brush anymore, I tried everything.

- reset by brush tools

- reinstalled photoshop

- and toggle back and forth on caps lock

It only shows the crosshair.. I have no idea on what to do next..

can you help?

[herbh72456441]

I had the same issue with my brushes turing from my circle to the arrow.  I had all the options correct:

1. Prefs:  Normal Brush Tip

2. Caps lock off (1. on usb keyb 2. on the laptop)

3. Toggling the cap lock off and on

4. Rebooted the laptop

Still nothing it seem worked.  

What solved the issue is I have a docking station that connects to my USB-C.  I removed that, went back into PS and the brush circle appeared.  If you have a docking station connected, I would recommend removing it and then running PS just with the sole laptop. 

[JasonMayArt]

Thank you. I unplugged my usb c charger from my wacom Mobile studio, restarted photoshop and BAM. Finally!

[jody5C18]

this worked for me! thanks for taking the time to mention it!

[sairyxo]

THANK YOU! Mine wasn't the same exact solution, but helped me find mine. I also have a docking station with a bluetooth keyboard. Macbook is closed in clamshell mode, so I couldn't see it's keyboard. Caps lock was OFF on my bluetooth keyboard, things typed normally. I opened my macbook to disconnect the docking, and the caps lock was on on the internal keyboard. So that was why it wasn't working on mine. Thank you for mentioning this!

[dmanigo]

I just want to say that whoever came up with that should not be a designer... why would you not want to see the edge of the brush tool? It's like installing a faucet but fire comes out instead of water...

[sebastianm20719334]

I had the similar issue with an (external) magic keyboard and noticed, that my macbook's caps lock was active, but the magic keyboard's was not. Can thus be (apparently) also a bug of the OS. In my case I could solve it by caps locking back and forth on both keyboards :P, if you have a similar bug, rebooting MacOS should also help...

[Annie5F99]

Thank you!!!!!

[pablor30671464]

THANK YOUUUUU

[Fritzy333]

THIS WAS IT!! Thank you!!

[Hibbidyhai]

I was having the same problem, the outline of the brush would appear when I changed its size, or if I toggled Caps Lock, but would disappear everytime I started using it. Turns the issue was that I have a mechanical keyboard plugged into my Macbook through a dock, but Caps Lock was 'on' on the laptop's keyboard. Simply turning off caps lock on the laptops keyboard fixed the issue. I feel like an idiot that it was something so simple, but if anyone is having this issue, it might be because you are using external keyboards.

[laurag62378436]

OMG!!! My secondary keyoard was in the cupboard - but turned on with the caps lock on. Did not see that coming...

[Pooja25142598v1qq]

If your brish size is too big than it will show +sing only first u need to lessen the size of brush than try anything else.

[callanl13059741]

ADOBE 2021: Caps lock is on

Or

The brush outline is too big to be shown inside the viewing window. Decrease brush size or zoom out 

[Piamedea-Digital]

This is still a problem for me. It happens randomly and is really freaking frustrating. I've checked the caps lock, checked the preferences and nothing is fixing it. I generally end up having  to restart to make it fix and it makes me really mad because it screws up my whole creative flow. 

[Linda26058114eyqo]

I am unable to use brushes. My Caps button is not locked- that is not my issue.  The brush is there, there is just no paint. I believe I will need technical assistance to help me. Can we set up a time, please?