Photoshop crashing on startup is one of the most frustrating issues you can encounter, especially when you’re mid-project or launching the app after an update. Whether you’re on Windows or macOS, a crash on launch can stem from various causes: corrupt preferences, plugin conflicts, GPU issues, or outdated drivers.
In this guide, you’ll learn multiple tested fixes to get Photoshop running again. Whether you’re a designer, photographer, or casual user, these steps are designed to help you recover quickly without needing deep tech knowledge.
Step-by-Step: Fix Photoshop Crashing on Startup
- Force Quit and Restart Photoshop
Open Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (Mac), force quit all Adobe processes, and relaunch Photoshop. This clears memory locks. - Run Photoshop in Safe Mode
Hold Shift while launching Photoshop to disable third-party plugins. If it opens successfully, the issue is likely a plugin conflict. - Reset Photoshop Preferences
Hold Ctrl + Alt + Shift (Windows) or Cmd + Option + Shift (Mac) while launching Photoshop. Confirm the prompt to delete preferences. This often resolves launch issues. - Update Photoshop via Creative Cloud
Open Adobe Creative Cloud and check for updates. Installing the latest version may fix bugs causing crashes. - Update Graphics Drivers
On Windows, go to Device Manager > Display Adapters and update your GPU driver. Mac users should check for macOS updates. - Disable GPU Acceleration
If you can get Photoshop open: go to Edit > Preferences > Performance and uncheck Use Graphics Processor. Restart Photoshop. - Check for Corrupt Fonts
Use tools like Font Book (Mac) or Font Settings (Windows) to disable newly added fonts. Faulty fonts can cause startup crashes. - Temporarily Rename the Plugins Folder
Navigate to the Photoshop plugins folder and rename it. If Photoshop starts normally, isolate the problematic plugin. - Reinstall Photoshop
Uninstall via Creative Cloud, restart your computer, then reinstall the latest version. This removes damaged files. - Check System Compatibility
Verify your OS meets Photoshop’s system requirements. New versions may not run on older hardware or OS versions.
Pro Tips to Prevent Future Crashes
- Enable Auto Recovery under Preferences to prevent data loss.
- Use Adobe Cleaner Tool before reinstalling for a thorough reset.
- Back up preferences before major updates.
- Avoid beta or third-party plugins unless fully tested.
- Run Photoshop as Administrator (Windows) for better stability.
Advanced Use Case: Use Logs to Diagnose Crashes
If you’re comfortable with diagnostics, access crash logs:
- Windows: Use the Event Viewer > Windows Logs > Application.
- Mac: Open Console, search for “Photoshop.” Look for faulting modules or repeated errors to trace issues.
Common Mistakes & Troubleshooting
- Skipping driver updates: Always keep GPU drivers current.
- Not removing plugin conflicts: Plugins remain active across updates.
- Forgetting to delete preferences: Old settings can cause recurring issues.
- Installing on unsupported OS: Photoshop may crash silently on older systems.
- Overclocked GPUs: Can introduce instability with creative apps.
Conclusion
Photoshop startup crashes can often be fixed with a few targeted steps — from resetting preferences to disabling plugins or updating drivers. Mastering these fixes gives you control and peace of mind the next time Photoshop refuses to open. For deeper control, consider exploring Photoshop’s performance settings or migrating to a more stable version.
Next up: Learn how to optimize Photoshop for speed and performance!
