Summary: This post can help you fix the error 'Could not initialize Photoshop because the scratch disks are full.' Learn how you can fix the problem of scratch disks and how to manage the disk partition and optimize the hard drive.
Contents
“While opening Adobe Photoshop CS6 on my Windows 10 PC, I’ve faced the error “Could not initialize Photoshop because the scratch disks are full.” Somebody, please suggest a resolution? Thanks for your timely help.”
Photoshop is a versatile photo and video editing software developed by Adobe. It is used worldwide for its advanced graphics editing features. But, sometimes, you may encounter inadvertent errors and glitches that affect normal working of the software.
In this blog, we’ll focus on the error “Could not initialize Photoshop because the scratch disks are full,” share the reasons behind its occurrence, and comprehensive solutions to solve the error.
Photoshop uses the computer’s RAM to perform operations. When the RAM space turns low, the app temporarily swaps its data to a virtual memory—the PC’s inbuilt storage drive that is specified in the Photoshop Preferences as a scratch disk. For single partition on the storage drive, the scratch disk is the startup drive, i.e., C: drive.
But, when the allocated scratch disk space turns low to accommodate more data, the app throws the message “Could not initialize Photoshop because the scratch disks are full.”
The error could occur due to:
Try out the following techniques to eliminate the error:
Open File Explorer to check whether your storage drive (C: Drive which is the default preference of scratch disk) is full. If it is complete, then free up some space by removing temporary files that are clogging up the drive.
To delete your temp files, perform the following steps:
Carry out the above steps one more time by typing temp on Run in place of %temp%. Your C: drive will now have more free space. Run the Photoshop app once again. If the app has gotten sufficient free space, it won’t throw the error. Else, proceed to the next troubleshooting method.
As your error-stricken Photoshop app can’t open in Windows 10 computer due to the scratch disks full error, you must do the following:
3.If you have multiple partitions on your internal storage drive, allocate more than one drive as scratch disks to tackle low disk space on the first scratch disk. Once done, click OK.
Now, run the Photoshop app without any error.
In case your storage drive has only one partition, you can create separate disk partition for your Photoshop Scratch Disk. Steps are as follows:
Photoshop requires contiguous or non-fragmented free space on scratch disk. To do that, you need to optimize your hard drive.
Note: This method is not applicable for Solid-State Drive (SSD), as it doesn’t need defragmentation.
To optimize your hard drive, perform the following steps:
Even increasing the limit of RAM could minimize swapping of Photoshop data to the virtual memory (or scratch disk). The increased RAM usage limit will preempt the error.
To increase the RAM limit on your Photoshop, do the following steps:
We hope the shared methods will help you resolve the Photoshop error on Window 10 computer. You can begin the troubleshooting process by removing temporary files, allocating a different scratch drive location, and creating a separate disk partition for Photoshop (if you are a power user). If your PC has a hard drive, then you can optimize it to make it contiguous and non-fragmented. Even increase the RAM limit for Photoshop to solve the initialization error.
In case the edited Photoshop files turn corrupt, don’t lose hope. Use photo repair software to fix the corruption issue.
For more watch this video
To repair photo files, perform the following steps:
Simply download and launch the trial version of Stellar Repair for Photo on your PC or Mac and follow the three simple steps – Add file, Repair and Preview & Save.
Sumona is a tech blogger, avid photographer, & technogeek with vast experience in writing about media file recovery tips and tutorials. She has over 10 years of experience in media file recovery/media file repair technology. She is passionate about Photography, Creative Designing, Music, and Exploring lesser-known destinations.
Stellar Data Recovery has the right Windows Recovery tool for all your data recovery
Read More
Stellar Data Recovery for Mac program performs safe..
Read More
A comprehensive photo recovery software to restore photos, music & video files
Read More
Powerful video repair tool for repairing corrupt or damaged MOV and other video files
Read More
Thank you so much. It was very helpful to fix this problem.
If you are a regular Photoshop user, you need to be extra caring so that the error resulting ‘scratch disks are full Mac’ can be avoided. To escape the error, you shall keep your Mac unloaded with temporary files, caches, and junk. This action allows Mac to flawlessly execute the Photoshop task and get the appropriate amount of memory backup for the same.
Hi Mariya, Thanks for sharing your valuable opinion. keep reading our blogs for such helpful insights.
I have tried these except partitioning the drive. It is a new computer, windows 10, with tons of disk space and only a few programs. Now what?
Hi Sabrina. you can try the method: Start Photoshop by holding Control + Alt keys and Now, run the Photoshop app without any error. Thanks!
I had this problem In Photoshop, scratch disk full errors can pop unexpectedly. Thanks for provide these useful steps to fix this issue in Photoshop!
Hi Nigel, Thanks for sharing your valuable feedback with us. Keep reading our blog for the next updates!
On windows 10 the Ctrl + Alt did not work but I found that if I changed the OS system environment variable for %temp% and %tmp% to use a folder on a drive that had space it worked. Search for advanced System settings from start and then the environment Variables button on the advanced tab. Make a new temp folder where you have space and point the variables there.
Hi Richards, Please find the below option :
1. In windows 10 you can type env on the search bar the Press Enter
2. Under the System Properties, you can see Startup and Recovery
3. Click Option below Environment Variables
4. Here you can change the path of environment To test it, in a new PowerShell window.
Hi.Your guides were helpful for me. thank you lady 🙂
Hi Obaid, Thanks for sharing your feedback with us!
It’s happen to me when I trying to open Photoshop, I get this error message pop window. I’m not sure disks are really full, because Photoshop does not start and how to fix it. Thanks to provide techniques to eliminate the error. I fix it using Control + Alt keys.
Hi Phoebe, Thanks for reading our blog and share your valuable feedback with us!
Hi Sumona, Great Post! When I try to open my Photoshop CC this happen to me. You have defined the useful methods to fix this issue i try to fix my problem using Cmd + Option (macOS) or Ctrl + Alt on Windows when I launch Photoshop. Thank you very much!
Hi Dennis, Thanks for reading our blog and sharing your valuable feedback with us!