The “Scratch Disks Are Full” error in Photoshop 2024 can seriously mess up your workflow. This error pops up when Photoshop runs out of storage space for temporary files. By understanding what causes this and following the right troubleshooting steps, you can fix the problem quickly and get back to your creative work.
Sections Covered:
Understanding Scratch Disks
Scratch disks are parts of your hard drive that Photoshop uses to store temporary files when there isn’t enough RAM for certain tasks. They’re crucial for handling large files and complex edits. When these scratch disks run out of space, you’ll hit the “Scratch Disks Are Full” error, which stops you from working until you free up some space or adjust the settings.
Common Causes
The “Scratch Disks Are Full” error can be triggered by several factors:
- Insufficient Disk Space: The scratch disk doesn’t have enough free space to store temporary files.
- Large Photoshop Cache: Accumulated cache files from previous projects can consume significant disk space.
- High Number of History States: Keeping too many history states can quickly fill up the scratch disk.
- Auto Recovery Settings: Frequent auto recovery saves can occupy substantial disk space.
- Temporary Files: Excessive temporary files can clutter the scratch disk, reducing available space.
To resolve these issues, follow the troubleshooting steps below:
Troubleshooting Steps
For Windows
- Purge Photoshop Cache
- Open Photoshop.
- Go to Edit > Purge > All to clear the cache.
- If the error persists, proceed to the next step.
- Free Up Disk Space
- Delete unnecessary files or move them to another storage location.
- Empty the Recycle Bin.
- Check if this resolves the issue. If not, continue to the next step.
- Change Scratch Disk Location
- Hold down Ctrl + Alt while launching Photoshop.
- Select a different scratch disk from the list.
- Verify if this fixes the error. If not, try the next troubleshooting step.
- Increase RAM Usage
- Go to Edit > Preferences > Performance.
- Adjust the RAM usage slider to allocate more RAM to Photoshop.
- Check if the problem is resolved. If not, proceed with the following steps.
- Reduce History States
- Go to Edit > Preferences > Performance.
- Lower the number of history states.
- Test if this solves the issue. If the error persists, move on to the next step.
- Disable Auto Recovery
- Go to Edit > Preferences > File Handling.
- Turn off auto recovery save.
- Verify if the issue is fixed. If not, continue with the next step.
- Delete Temporary Files
- Press Windows + R, type %temp%, and press Enter.
- Delete any files related to Photoshop or PST.
- Check if this resolves the error. If the problem continues, try the next step.
- Defragment Your Hard Drive
- Go to Control Panel > System and Security > Administrative Tools > Defragment and Optimize Drives.
- Run the defragmentation process.
- Test Photoshop again. If the issue is still unresolved, proceed to the next step.
- Reset Photoshop Preferences
- Hold down Ctrl + Alt + Shift while launching Photoshop.
- Confirm the reset when prompted.
- Check if this fixes the issue. If the error remains, continue to the next step.
- Check Storage Usage
- Go to Settings > System > Storage.
- Manage your storage to free up space.
- Test Photoshop to see if the error is resolved.
For Mac
- Purge Photoshop Cache
- Open Photoshop.
- Go to Edit > Purge > All to clear the cache.
- If the error persists, move to the next step.
- Free Up Disk Space
- Delete unnecessary files or move them to another storage location.
- Empty the Trash.
- Check if this resolves the issue. If not, continue with the next step.
- Change Scratch Disk Location
- Hold down Cmd + Option while launching Photoshop.
- Select a different scratch disk from the list.
- Verify if this fixes the error. If not, try the following steps.
- Increase RAM Usage
- Go to Photoshop > Preferences > Performance.
- Adjust the RAM usage slider to allocate more RAM to Photoshop.
- Check if the issue is resolved. If not, proceed with the next step.
- Reduce History States
- Go to Photoshop > Preferences > Performance.
- Lower the number of history states.
- Test if this solves the issue. If the error persists, move on to the next step.
- Disable Auto Recovery
- Go to Photoshop > Preferences > File Handling.
- Turn off auto recovery save.
- Verify if the issue is fixed. If not, continue with the following steps.
- Delete Temporary Files
- Navigate to ~/Library/Caches/Adobe/Photoshop/.
- Delete the temporary files.
- Check if this resolves the error. If the problem continues, try the next step.
- Reset Photoshop Preferences
- Hold down Cmd + Option + Shift while launching Photoshop.
- Confirm the reset when prompted.
- Check if this fixes the issue. If the error remains, proceed to the next step.
- Check Storage Usage
- Click the Apple icon, select About This Mac, then Storage.
- Manage your storage to free up space.
- Test Photoshop to see if the error is resolved.
Additional Tips
To further ensure that you avoid encountering the “Scratch Disks Are Full” error in the future, consider these additional tips:
- Regular Maintenance:
- Free Up Disk Space Regularly: Regularly clean up your scratch disk to prevent it from filling up. This includes deleting old files and emptying the Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (Mac).
- Use an External Drive:
- External Scratch Disk: If your primary disk is running low on space, consider using an external hard drive as an additional scratch disk. Ensure it is fast enough to handle Photoshop’s demands.
- Optimize Photoshop Performance:
- Adjust Preferences: Regularly review and adjust your Photoshop performance preferences to align with your current needs. For example, manage history states and cache settings based on your project size.
- Update Photoshop:
- Check for Updates: Ensure you have the latest version of Photoshop, as updates often include bug fixes and performance improvements that may help resolve issues with scratch disks.
- Monitor Disk Usage:
- Disk Usage Tools: Use disk usage monitoring tools to keep track of how much space is being used and how much is available. This can help you proactively manage disk space.
Adobe Resources
For additional help with the “Scratch Disks Are Full” error and other Photoshop issues, you can contact Adobe’s support team for personalized assistance:
- Adobe Support: Reach out to Adobe’s support team for detailed help and troubleshooting.
Conclusion
The “Scratch Disks Are Full” error in Photoshop 2024 can disrupt your workflow, but with the right understanding and steps, you can fix it. By knowing how scratch disks work, recognizing common causes, and following the troubleshooting steps, you can resolve this issue and keep your projects on track. Regular maintenance, adjusting performance settings, and monitoring disk usage are key to preventing this error in the future. With these strategies, you can stay focused on your creative projects without interruptions.
