Participant

Question

Wacom Intuos tablet freezes Photoshop

Forum|Forum|7 years ago
May 6, 2018
17 replies
16301 views

When drawing in Photoshop with my Intuos Pro tablet, Photoshop can suddenly freeze. No inputs will register, not from the tablet nor keyboard nor mouse. None of the window buttons work and the cursor is frozen to whatever tool I was using, be it brush or otherwise. The only way to close Photoshop is via the task manager, discarding any unsaved work I have.

This seems to happen under a couple circumstances:

When the tablet is being used, and then disconnected from the computer while Photoshop is open. Either by removing the Wacom wireless USB receiver while Photoshop is running, or turning the tablet off and on again while Photoshop is running, it will always cause Photoshop to lock up. It is probably important to note that if I disconnect and reconnect the tablet in another app and then switch back to Photoshop, the bug does not occur.
Completely at random. I can't seem to pinpoint when it happens, nor what I could be doing that would set it off. Just that on occasion (maybe once or twice every couple of days?) Photoshop freezes, and I can't do anything but close it through task manager.

Even more occasionally, Photoshop recovers after a short while. It seems to happen more often if I turn the tablet off immediately after the bug and try to give input with the mouse or keyboard, but I can't replicate this with success.

Some things I've tried:

Switch between WinTab and Windows Ink.
Updating the Wacom drivers. I've updated religiously for the past few months but it has never been remedied.
Updating Photoshop, same deal.
Plugging the USB receiver to the tower directly. No change, and the wireless range is not wide enough to make this practical for work anyway.
Reinstalling Wacom drivers.
Reinstalling Photoshop.
Replicating this in something other than Photoshop. So far only Photoshop appears to be affected by this.
Replicating this on my laptop. Although it is set up in an almost identical manner (WinTab setting included), it does not appear to suffer from this problem at all.

In summary, the bug appears to be specific to my desktop computer, and the freezing specific to Photoshop.

Windows 10 Enterprise x64
- AMD Ryzen 5 1600X @ 4.0GHz
- 32GB DDR4 RAM @ 2800MHz
Photoshop CC 19.1.3
- Using UseSystemStylus 0 configuration
- Elevated (administrator) mode
Wacom Intuos Pro Medium
- Model PTH-651
- Broken micro USB port, can only charge, not connect
- Driver version 6.3.29-6

I've also searched across this forum as well as others, and I can't seem to find any information regarding this issue. Any help would be appreciated.

This topic has been closed for replies.

Vidzhel

Participant

The problem is connected with the Windows Inc

Here is one of the possible solutions for the problem:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nL10xGIA_s

Dima Strapchev

Participant

Thanks, this video pointed me in the right direction! I didn't have to 'hack' Photoshop, and didn't find Windows Ink settings in Wacom Tablet Properties. But, I found one setting called "Adjusts the pen pressure for compatibility with older apps..." in the Wacom Tablet Properties.

To get there you need to select Grip Pen in Tools and click Option button (now its at the bottom, left). Then at the bottom half of Options window there is 'Pressure Compatibility' section and the setting "Adjusts the pen pressure for compatibility with older apps...". I've enabled that and it seems that the freezing is not happening any more.

Good luck!

S

sdfsdf345345

Participant

Same problem here

A

alexw32860465

Participant

Same thing here, Photoshop randomly freezes when I am using my Intuos Pro to paint, only to recoven when I move the mouse or alt-tab out. I have tried both PS CC 2018 and 2019 and the issue is persistent. It has been very frustrating as it greatly impacts my productivity as an artist.

J

jordanp37110081

Participant

Same issue here, using Windows 10 and Adobe Photoshop CC.

* If I start Photoshop *before* plugging in the Wacom Intuos tablet, it almost certainly is going to freeze. Once upon a time, this was not an issue.

* Periodically when using the stylus to draw, Photoshop won't reflect changes to the picture when I switch to eraser or some other tool, or on occasion if I am drawing and have the SHIFT key depressed while applying the brush elsewhere (which usually results in a straight line being drawn between the two points). I can still see a representation of the tool on the screen (circle corresponding to diameter of brush), but any "drawing" doesn't result in changes. If, however, I switch to the *mouse* and select some other tool, that USUALLY seems to snap Photoshop out of it, and belatedly all the scribbles I tried making when things weren't working (including the initial "point-to-point" line, if that's what set this off) will suddenly be applied to the picture. I say "usually," because the amount of time varies, and at some point it just looks like it's *never* coming back, so I have to kill the application and start over. (Save early, save often.)

This is particularly problematic if I am switching back and forth between brush and eraser; it's almost certain to freeze things up.

* If I have the Wacom tablet plugged in and use a *mouse* to start drawing/painting/erasing on a picture, thereafter pressure sensitivity will not function on the Wacom tablet, until I close everything out and start up Photoshop again (this time making sure to start working with the stylus right away, instead of the mouse). Thereafter, if I start using the stylus, and partway switch to the mouse to do a bit of erasing, etc., I won't lose pressure-sensitivity during that session.

ericlamar

Participant

Thanks! Unplugged my mouse USB and now the tablet is working fine.

J

jesslzz

Inspiring

Same issue for me, I can't use my Wacom since updating to Windows 10. I'm sure it's a windows 10 issue but Wacom + Adobe should pay attention to this problem!

W

weashell

Participant

I have exactly same issue. If tablet device will be plugged in after PS application it freezes entirely. I hope that will be solved because that is annoying.. That happened after i updated my old photoshop. Probably something between windows ink system. Anyone using Mac+Ps has same issue?

R

Rune Werner Molnes

Inspiring

Same problem here

M

marekc56826369

Participating Frequently

same here

Ravenmore

Participant

Same here. Having PS running wile I plug in my Wacom = instant freeze. Absolutely no fix found so far. Can we at least get some word from Adobe who should we be pestering about this? Them or Wacom??

hilbrandbos

Participating Frequently

Same here. I run Windows 10 on a machine with 6 gen i 7 and 20GB of RAM and Geforce 950 with a wacom intuos paper edition.

I have the issue randomly, but more often with the alt hotkey pressed.

Every couple of tens of strokes I get a max. brushsize blob.

Sometimes it freezes photoshop entirely, no clue what triggers that... only killing the ps proces and loosing work will get it running again.
This last thing only happens 4-5 times per month.

I thought it was a RAM problem, but with 20GB's it can't be.

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