Working image is not on top when I toggle back to Photoshop

[Larryman61]

Here's a minor issue but it's driving me crazy. If I have several image files open in Photoshop, with the most recent one open and on top, and I toggle away to another app (Command+Tab in Mac), when I return to Photoshop that image on top is no longer on top. In fact, it's at the bottom. Then I have to start going through all the images to find it and keep working on it. This started happening a few months ago. How can I ensure the image is on top when I return to Photoshop?

[War Unicorn]

What is your Window arrangement (via Window > Arrangement on the menu bar)?

[Larryman61]

I haven't selected any.

But guess what? I just shut it all down; did today's update; relaunched; and now it's working fine.

Thanks for the prompt reply.

[War Unicorn]

It's just a command; you won't see any checkmark next to the specific arrangement. By default, it's "Consolidate All to Tabs."

Good to hear you have it sorted, though. Do you have your system/apps open all the time? I'll have to keep this in mind if someone else has a similar issue.

[Larryman61]

Thanks. The problem has returned. I keep Photoshop open all the time and I always keep my working images in separate windows since I'm constantly sizing and resizing them as I work on them. Any thoughts?

[War Unicorn]

Typically, the longer a system is on (and not shut down), the more unstable it can become. It's usually wise to restart/reboot a system that's constantly on at least once a day just to keep things fresh and ready.

[Lumigraphics]

I've seen this now and then on both Mac and Windows, with multiple documents open. One window will keep jumping into focus regardless of what order I set them manually. Haven't been able to consistently reproduce or find a cause.

[Larryman61]

Thanks for the quick reply. It's weird that it just started out of nowhere about two months ago. I considered slapping the monitor on its side, but I've learned this rarely fixes software problems. 😊