Photoshop Crashing? Fix It Now with This Guide | Quick Patch

Photoshop Crashing? Fix It Now with This Guide | Quick Patch

Frequent Photoshop crashes can be frustrating, but there are several steps you can take to diagnose and fix the issue. Here's a detailed breakdown to help you get Photoshop running smoothly again:

Basic Checks:

• Restart Your Computer: A simple restart can often clear temporary files and resolve software conflicts.

• Update Photoshop: Always ensure you're using the latest version. Updates often include bug fixes and performance improvements. Check for updates through the Adobe Creative Cloud desktop app.

Software and Settings:

• Reset Photoshop Preferences: Corrupted preferences can cause crashes. Resetting them will bring Photoshop back to its default settings. Here's how (consult Adobe Support for specific version instructions):
• Windows: Close Photoshop. Go to Edit > Preferences > General (or Edit > Options > General on older versions). Click "Reset Preferences" on Quit.
• Mac: Close Photoshop. Hold Option + Command + Shift while launching Photoshop and click "Yes" to confirm reset.

• Disable Third-Party Plugins: Conflicting plugins can be a major culprit. Try launching Photoshop while holding Shift (Windows) or Option (Mac) to temporarily disable plugins. If Photoshop runs stable, identify the problematic plugin by enabling them one by one. Consider updating or removing the problematic plugin.

• Adjust Performance Preferences: Allocate more RAM (around 80-85%) for Photoshop in Edit > Preferences > Performance (Windows) or Edit > Preferences > Performance (Mac). Experiment with the Drawing Mode settings (Basic is a good starting point). Adjust cache levels based on your typical file sizes (higher for large files).

Troubleshooting Hardware and Graphics:

• Check System Requirements: Make sure your computer meets the minimum system requirements for your Photoshop version https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/system-requirements.html. Upgrading your RAM or graphics card might be necessary if your system falls short.

• Update Graphics Drivers: Outdated graphics drivers can lead to crashes. Update your drivers from the manufacturer's website (Nvidia, AMD, Intel).

• Disable "Use Graphics Processor": In Photoshop's Performance preferences, try unchecking "Use Graphics Processor" to see if the GPU is causing issues. Restart Photoshop after making this change.

Advanced Troubleshooting:

• Check Scratch Disks: Photoshop uses scratch disks for temporary files. Ensure you have enough free space on the designated scratch disks. You can manage them in Edit > Preferences > Performance (Windows) or Edit > Preferences > Performance (Mac).

• Corrupted Files: Damaged Photoshop installation files can cause crashes. Try repairing your Photoshop installation through the Adobe Creative Cloud desktop app.