Adobe Lightroom Classic and Photoshop work seamlessly together for many photographers, allowing you to edit images fluidly between both applications. However, encountering issues where images won’t open in Photoshop directly from Lightroom can be frustrating. If you’re facing this problem, don’t worry—there are several solutions to get you back on track. This guide will walk you through troubleshooting steps to fix the “Edit in Photoshop” feature.
Understanding the Problem
When working with Lightroom Classic, you might encounter the following issues:
The “Edit in Photoshop” option is grayed out.
Selecting “Edit in Photoshop” results in no action.
The image opens in Photoshop but doesn’t reflect Lightroom adjustments.
Errors indicating Photoshop can’t be found.
These issues can arise due to various factors, including software conflicts, outdated versions, or improper configurations.
Step-by-Step Solutions
1. Ensure Both Applications Are Up-to-Date
One of the most common reasons for this problem is version incompatibility. Lightroom Classic and Photoshop should be updated to their latest versions.
Check for Updates:
Open the Adobe Creative Cloud app.
Go to the “Updates” tab.
Update Lightroom Classic and Photoshop if available.
Restart After Updating: Close both programs and restart your computer after updates.
2. Set Photoshop as the Default External Editor
Ensure that Lightroom is correctly configured to use Photoshop as its external editor:
In Lightroom Classic:
Go to Edit (Windows) / Lightroom (Mac) > Preferences.
Navigate to the External Editing tab.
Check the Application Path:
Ensure the correct version of Photoshop is listed. If not, click Choose and locate the Photoshop executable file (usually in the Program Files or Applications folder).
Confirm Settings:
Set file format, bit depth, and color space according to your workflow preferences.
3. Check for Conflicting Plug-Ins or Preferences
Sometimes, third-party plug-ins or corrupted preferences cause conflicts:
Reset Lightroom Preferences:
Close Lightroom.
Hold Alt (Windows) / Option (Mac) while restarting Lightroom.
Click Reset Preferences when prompted.
Disable Plug-Ins: Temporarily disable any non-essential plug-ins via the File > Plug-In Manager menu to see if they’re causing the issue.
4. Verify Photoshop’s Installation Path
Lightroom might not detect Photoshop if it’s not installed in the default directory:
Reinstall Photoshop: If you’ve moved Photoshop’s installation folder or suspect a corrupted installation, reinstalling can help:
Uninstall Photoshop via the Creative Cloud app.
Restart your computer.
Reinstall Photoshop from the Creative Cloud app.
5. Ensure Proper File Handling
If your image doesn’t reflect Lightroom adjustments when opened in Photoshop:
Check File Format: Lightroom edits raw files non-destructively. Ensure you’re sending a flattened TIFF or PSD file with adjustments.
Edit a Copy: In the Edit in Photoshop dialog, select Edit a Copy with Lightroom Adjustments to preserve your changes.
6. Reset Photoshop Preferences
Corrupted Photoshop preferences might also cause integration issues:
Close Photoshop.
Hold Ctrl+Alt+Shift (Windows) / Command+Option+Shift (Mac) while restarting Photoshop.
Click Yes when prompted to delete preferences.
7. Check for Permissions Issues (Mac Users)
MacOS permissions sometimes block communication between apps:
Go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy.
Ensure both Photoshop and Lightroom have full disk access.
Final Steps: Test the Workflow
After applying these fixes:
Open Lightroom Classic and select an image.
Right-click and choose Edit in > Edit in Adobe Photoshop.
Make a quick change in Photoshop, then save and close.
Check if the updated image appears correctly in Lightroom.
Resolving the “Edit in Photoshop” issue from Lightroom Classic involves ensuring both programs are updated, correctly configured, and free of conflicts. By following these steps, you can restore the seamless workflow between Lightroom and Photoshop, enhancing your editing process. If the issue persists, Adobe Support or forums often provide additional solutions tailored to your system.
