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When Photoshop slows down, freezes, or behaves unexpectedly, start with a reversible check that matches the symptom instead of changing several settings at once. Check Adobe’s known issues for your version, then test Photoshop after each troubleshooting step so you can tell what helped.
This guide covers ten common problems and a first action for each. Menu names and available options can vary by Photoshop version and operating system.
Quick troubleshooting guide
| Symptom | First check or test | Next step if it continues |
|---|---|---|
| Scratch disk full or Photoshop will not start | Check free space on the selected scratch disk and free space if needed | Configure another suitable scratch disk |
| Photoshop feels slow or laggy | Note when the slowdown occurs and check system requirements | Choose a diagnostic that matches the symptom |
| Photoshop freezes at launch or stops responding | Check known issues and install an available update | Test preferences and GPU involvement |
| Zooming, panning, or tools show display artifacts | Check the graphics driver | Temporarily test with GPU use disabled |
| Performance worsens after adding a plug-in | Restart while holding Shift to test without optional third-party plug-ins | Test plug-ins one at a time |
| Text or Character panel use causes slowdowns | Check for problematic or duplicate third-party fonts | Validate fonts and remove ones identified as causing the issue |
| Files on a network drive open or edit slowly | Copy the file to a local drive and test there | Move the edited file back to the network drive |
| Saving or exporting takes too long | Check free space and write permissions at the destination | Review scratch-disk settings; test local storage |
| Photoshop freezes with a connected device | Update the device driver or disconnect the device and compare | Test another device; contact its manufacturer if the issue follows it |
| A large document slows Photoshop down | Review memory allocation and cache settings for the document | Consider reducing history states if scratch-disk space is under pressure |
1. “Scratch disk full” or Photoshop will not start
First fix: Check the free space on the scratch disk selected in Photoshop and free space there before restarting the app. Adobe says to free at least 100 GB on the primary scratch disk for the scratch-disk error; this is the recommendation on Adobe’s error-help page, not a universal minimum requirement for every Photoshop setup.
- Check which volume Photoshop uses as its scratch disk.
- Review available space on that volume and remove or move files only when you know they are no longer needed.
- Restart Photoshop and check whether the warning remains.
- If it does, consider configuring another suitable volume as a scratch disk.
Photoshop uses scratch-disk space as temporary memory when system RAM is low. Verify the current space and settings before buying storage. Adobe notes that an internal SSD can be relevant when a storage shortage has been confirmed, but new hardware is not a substitute for checking the existing configuration.
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2. “Photoshop is slow or laggy”
First fix: Identify when the slowdown happens—at startup, while zooming or painting, when applying a filter, or during saving—and check that your computer meets Photoshop’s system requirements. A targeted observation helps you choose a useful test instead of changing memory, cache, and GPU settings all at once.
- Note the action that triggers the slowdown and whether it affects one document or the whole application.
- Check system requirements and Adobe’s relevant performance guidance.
- Test one change at a time and check Photoshop after each step.
A slowdown may be related to system resources, a plug-in, fonts, a device, a network drive, or the document itself. The symptom and when it occurs help narrow down which cause to test.
3. “Photoshop freezes at startup or stops responding”
First fix: Check Adobe’s known issues for your installed version before trying general repairs. If an update is available, install it and test Photoshop again.
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- Record your Photoshop version and the action or launch stage where it stops responding.
- Check Adobe’s known-issues information for that version.
- Install an available update and test again.
- If the freeze continues, investigate preferences and GPU involvement as separate tests.
Known-issue workarounds can vary by version. Checking them first may prevent unnecessary changes to settings that are working correctly.
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4. “Zooming, panning, or tools show artifacts”
First fix: Check the graphics driver and install an appropriate update if needed. Then test whether the graphics processor is involved by temporarily changing Photoshop’s GPU setting, if that option is available for your version.
- Note which action causes the display problem.
- Check the graphics driver and update it if appropriate.
- Temporarily test with GPU use disabled, then repeat the action that caused the artifacts.
- Restore the previous setting if disabling GPU use does not help.
Disabling GPU use is a diagnostic test, not a universal permanent fix. If the problem changes when the setting changes, the GPU path or its driver may be involved.
5. “Photoshop slows down after I install a plug-in”
First fix: Close Photoshop, then relaunch it while holding Shift to test without optional third-party plug-ins. If performance improves, identify the plug-in involved rather than removing them all.
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- Hold Shift while relaunching Photoshop to test without optional third-party plug-ins.
- Compare performance with the same task or document.
- If it improves, re-enable or test plug-ins one at a time to find the cause.
Test one change at a time and check the result after each test. That makes it easier to distinguish a plug-in issue from another cause.
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6. “Photoshop slows down when I use Type or the Character panel”
First fix: Check whether recently added, duplicate, or problematic third-party fonts are involved. Adobe notes that font problems can slow Photoshop, particularly when working with text-related features.
- Check whether the slowdown is tied to the Type tool or Character panel.
- Validate fonts and look for duplicate or problematic third-party fonts.
- Remove or disable fonts identified as causing the problem, then test Photoshop again.
7. “Files on a network drive open or edit slowly”
First fix: Copy the file to a local drive and test opening and editing it there. If Photoshop works normally with the local copy, the network location may be contributing to the delay.
- Make a local copy of the file.
- Open and edit the local copy in Photoshop.
- When finished, move or copy the edited file back to the network drive.
8. “Saving or exporting takes too long”
First fix: Check that the destination has enough free space and that you have permission to write files there. Also review the scratch-disk configuration if the delay continues.
- Check available space and write permissions at the save or export destination.
- Note whether the destination is local or on a network drive.
- Review the scratch-disk settings and test saving to a local destination.
Adobe’s performance guidance warns that saving to a network drive is not supported in the scenario it describes. If a local save works but a network save does not, use the local workflow and consult the applicable Adobe guidance for your version and setup.
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9. “Photoshop freezes with a tablet, printer, or other device”
First fix: Update the device’s driver, or disconnect the device and compare Photoshop’s behavior. If the problem appears only when that device is connected, test another device if available.
- Update the device driver or disconnect the device.
- Repeat the action that caused Photoshop to freeze.
- If possible, test with another device.
- If the problem follows the device, contact its manufacturer.
10. “A large document makes Photoshop slow”
First fix: Review memory allocation and cache settings in relation to the document and your system, then test the effect of one adjustment at a time. If scratch-disk space is under pressure, reducing history states may also help.
Adobe’s performance documentation recommends allocating no more than 85% of memory to Photoshop in the contexts it describes, leaving memory for the operating system and other applications. Treat this as guidance to apply in context, not a universal setting for every version or computer.
- Check whether the slowdown is specific to the large document.
- Review memory allocation and cache settings for the document.
- Test one adjustment and check the result before making another.
- If scratch-disk space is under pressure, consider reducing history states.
How to choose the right first test
Start by asking when the symptom occurs, whether it affects one document or all of Photoshop, and whether it is tied to a specific resource such as the GPU, a font, a plug-in, a device, a network location, or disk space. Choose a reversible test for that cause, then check Photoshop before trying anything else.
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FAQ
What should I do first when Photoshop says the scratch disk is full?
Check free space on the selected scratch disk and free space there before restarting Photoshop. Adobe recommends freeing at least 100 GB on the primary scratch disk for this error; consult Adobe’s current guidance for the version and setup you use.
How can I tell whether a plug-in is slowing Photoshop down?
Close Photoshop and relaunch it while holding Shift to test without optional third-party plug-ins. If performance improves, test plug-ins one at a time to identify the cause.
Why does Photoshop slow down when I use the Type tool?
Problematic, duplicate, or third-party fonts can contribute to slowdowns. Check and validate fonts, then test Photoshop after disabling or removing fonts identified as problematic.
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Should I disable GPU use permanently to fix display artifacts?
No. Temporarily disabling GPU use can help determine whether the GPU path is involved, but it is a diagnostic test rather than a universal permanent fix. Check the driver and Adobe’s guidance for your version before deciding what to do next.
What is the safest way to troubleshoot a Photoshop slowdown?
Match the test to the symptom, change one thing at a time, and check Photoshop after each step. Check Adobe’s known issues for your installed version before making broader changes.
Quick Recap
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