If Photoshop says “scratch disks are full,” it usually means the drive Photoshop uses for temporary working files doesn’t have enough available space.
A full scratch disk can prevent Photoshop from opening files, applying edits, or even launching properly. Fortunately, you can usually fix the problem by freeing up disk space, clearing temporary files, or changing the scratch disk Photoshop uses.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to clear the Photoshop scratch disk, change its location, and prevent the “scratch disks are full” error from coming back. You can also find additional guidance on clearing your scratch disk from MacPaw.
How to Check Your Photoshop Scratch Disk Space
Checking Available Scratch Disk Space
Before we dive into fixing the problem, we first need to understand how much scratch disk space Photoshop is currently using. Here’s a quick step-by-step guide on how to do it:
- Open up your Photoshop application.
- Navigate to the Edit menu located at the top of your screen.
- From the dropdown, select Preferences, then choose Scratch Disks.
- A new window will open, displaying the amount of space currently used by Photoshop on each of your hard drives.
Remember, Photoshop uses the scratch disk space as virtual memory when it runs out of physical memory (RAM). Monitoring your scratch disk usage can help you manage space effectively and avoid facing the dreaded ‘Scratch Disk Full’ error in the middle of an editing session.
What the Results Mean
Once you’ve checked your scratch disk usage, it’s essential to understand what the results mean. If your scratch disk usage is high (above 80%), it signals that Photoshop is running out of space to perform operations smoothly. This lack of available space is what triggers the ‘Scratch Disk Full’ error. On the other hand, if your usage is below 80%, your Photoshop should be running relatively smoothly. However, if you still encounter the error, it might be due to some other underlying issue. In either case, knowing how to clean up the scratch disk or adjust Photoshop settings for better memory management can save you from future disruptions. Keep reading, as we’ll be diving into those solutions shortly!
How to Fix the Photoshop Scratch Disk Full Error
When Photoshop displays the “scratch disks are full” error, the fastest solution is usually to free up space on the drive being used as the scratch disk. However, the best fix depends on what’s causing the storage problem.
Try these solutions in order:
1. Free up disk space. Delete or move unnecessary files from the drive Photoshop uses as its scratch disk.
2. Clear Photoshop’s cache. Cached data can consume storage while you’re working with large files.
3. Remove unnecessary temporary files. Photoshop and your operating system can accumulate temporary files that take up valuable disk space.
4. Change the Photoshop scratch disk. If another drive has significantly more free space, select it under Photoshop’s Scratch Disk settings.
5. Restart Photoshop. After freeing space or changing scratch disk settings, restart Photoshop so the changes can take effect.
If the error continues, check how much free space is available on the selected scratch disk and continue with the troubleshooting methods below.
Quick Fixes for the “Scratch Disks Are Full” Error
Restart Photoshop
The simplest solution to tackle the “Scratch Disk Full” error is restarting Photoshop. This method can resolve the issue if Photoshop has misinterpreted the available space due to recent disk space clearance. Restarting the program allows Photoshop to reassess the Scratch Disk space when it boots up again. To restart Photoshop, simply close the application and then open it back up. If you can’t close it normally due to the error, you may need to force quit the application. However, bear in mind that any unsaved work will be lost, so try to save your work regularly to prevent such situations. If restarting Photoshop doesn’t solve the problem, don’t worry; there are other methods to try.
Clear Photoshop’s Cache
Another effective way to resolve the “Scratch Disk Full” error is by clearing Photoshop’s cache. The cache is a temporary storage area where Photoshop keeps certain data to speed up its performance. Over time, the cache can become bloated with unnecessary files, taking up valuable disk space. To clear the cache, navigate to the “Edit” menu in Photoshop, select “Purge”, and then “All”. This will remove all the temporary files that Photoshop doesn’t need for its current operations. Remember, purging the cache cannot be undone, so ensure that you have saved any unsaved work before doing so.
How to Clear the Photoshop Scratch Disk
To clear the Photoshop scratch disk, you need to free up storage on the drive Photoshop is using for temporary files. Photoshop doesn’t have a single “clear scratch disk” button, so the process usually involves removing unnecessary files, clearing temporary data, or moving large files to another drive.
Start by checking which drive Photoshop is using as its scratch disk and how much free space remains. If the drive is nearly full, delete files you no longer need or move large files to another storage device.
You can also remove unnecessary temporary files created by Photoshop and your operating system. Be careful not to delete files you’re actively working on or system files you don’t recognize.
If clearing space isn’t enough, consider changing the Photoshop scratch disk to another drive with more available storage using the steps in the section below.
Delete Unnecessary Files
A surefire way to free up some space on your Scratch Disk is to delete unnecessary files from your computer. These could be old documents, images, or movies that you no longer need, duplicates of files, or even apps you barely use. To delete a file or an application, simply drag it to the trash bin and then empty the trash. Do remember, deletion is permanent, so ensure the files you’re deleting are really dispensable. If you’re a little unsure about what to delete, consider using a disk cleanup tool. These tools scan your disk and suggest files that are safe to delete, making the process easier and safer. By freeing up space, you’re not just creating room for Photoshop to function optimally, but also helping your computer to run smoother and faster.
Move Files to Another Drive
If you’re hesitant about permanently deleting files or find that you’re often running into space issues, consider investing in an external storage device. This could be an external hard drive, a USB flash drive, or even a cloud storage service. Moving files to an external device allows you to free up space on your local disk without permanently losing access to your files. To move files, just simply drag them from their location on your computer to the storage device. For large files, this process may take a few moments. Once complete, make sure to safely eject your storage device to prevent any data corruption. By adopting this method, you’ll maintain a clutter-free workspace on your computer while still having your files accessible when needed, providing Photoshop the space it needs to work efficiently.
Use Disk Cleanup Tools
Disk cleanup tools play a crucial role in managing your system’s storage – especially when dealing with hefty applications like Photoshop. These tools scan your entire system, identifying unnecessary, redundant, or seldom-used files that are consuming your precious memory space. Once identified, these files can be safely deleted or archived, helping you free up significant storage. Many of these tools also detect and remove temporary system files and browser caches, which often go unnoticed, contributing silently to your scratch disk’s saturation. When choosing a cleanup tool, opt for one that is reliable and has good reviews. Run it regularly to keep your scratch disk in check. Remember, a well-maintained system ensures Photoshop can run smoothly and efficiently, preventing the dreaded ‘Scratch Disk Full’ error.
Here’s additional tips you can do:
- Make more disk space. If you want to have more disk space, you will have to free it up. No matter what kind of computer you are using – a Mac or the one that is using Windows operating system, you will have to clear the files that are recognized as the scratch disk in Photoshop Preferences. To make it easier, you can use a professional tool that cleans the scratch disc.
- Start by deleting temporary files that were created by Photoshop itself. You do not need to worry that you will delete some files that you should not – this action is completely safe to perform. Therefore this is a really great and easy way to clear some space on your hard-drive. To find these files and delete them, keep an eye for files that are named ~PST####.tmpn if you are a Windows operating system user and Temp#### if you use a Mac. The hashtag mark indicates numbers.
- The next step is defragmentation of the hard disk. It is actually a big possibility that you are receiving this Photoshop error even if the scratch disk drive has some free space at that time. It is this way because Photoshop needs unfragmented free space on this disk drive. Therefore, if you receive the Photoshop Scratch Disk Is Full error when you do have enough free space on the disk drive, you might just need to defragment it.
- Clearing the cache files of Photoshop. If Photoshop still opens normally without crashing, you can open it and easily delete temporary cache files. In order to perform this action on Windows, click on the Edit option, then choose Purge, and click All. If you are a Mac user, then you will have to Photoshop CC, choose Purge, and click All.
- Clearing the Crop tool value. If an error occurs when you are trying to crop an image while using Photoshop, it is possible that the values in cropping options are set to the wrong value. Let’s say you enter the values and the value in inches instead of pixels. This will create an enormously large file that could trigger the disk error. To prevent or solve this problem, select the Crop tool, go to its options, and select Clear.
Changing Photoshop performance settings. Some of your settings might also be causing the disk error. To solve this problem on Windows, go to Edit, click Preferences, and choose Performance. If you use a Mac, then click on Photoshop CC, choose Preferences, and click on the Performance option. Adjust your sliders under the Memory Usage option.
How to Change the Scratch Disk in Photoshop
If your current scratch disk doesn’t have enough free space, Photoshop lets you select another drive to use as a scratch disk. Choosing a drive with more available storage can help resolve the “scratch disks are full” error and give Photoshop more room for temporary files.
To change the scratch disk in Photoshop:
1. Open Photoshop Preferences. On Windows, go to Edit > Preferences > Scratch Disks. On macOS, go to Photoshop > Settings > Scratch Disks.
2. Select another drive. Check the box next to a drive with sufficient free space. If multiple drives are available, you can select more than one.
3. Adjust the drive order if necessary. Photoshop can prioritize the drives you select for scratch disk storage.
4. Save the changes and restart Photoshop. The new scratch disk configuration should take effect after Photoshop restarts.
Choose a fast drive with plenty of available space when possible. Avoid using a drive that’s already close to full.
Why Does Photoshop Say the Scratch Disks Are Full?
What Is a Photoshop Scratch Disk?
A Scratch Disk is essentially a designated drive or part of a drive on your computer that Adobe Photoshop uses for temporary storage. When you’re working on large or complex files, Photoshop uses this space to store parts of the file or even the entire file. Think of it as an extension of your computer’s RAM, but specific for Photoshop use. This allows the software to process and manipulate these larger files without slowing down. When the Scratch Disk is full, Photoshop doesn’t have enough space to perform these operations, and that’s when you encounter the dreaded “Scratch Disk Full” error.
What Causes the Scratch Disk Full Error?
The “Scratch Disk Full” error typically occurs for one of two reasons – either your Scratch Disk is genuinely full, or Photoshop believes it is. The first scenario is straightforward, often due to large or numerous files taking up space. It can also result from leftover temporary files from previous Photoshop sessions. Photoshop treats every open image as a temporary file and stores it in the Scratch Disk. If you use Photoshop frequently and work with large files, these can accumulate quickly, causing the Scratch Disk to fill up. In the second scenario, it’s a bit more complicated. Photoshop sometimes misreads the available disk space, especially if you’ve recently freed up space. This prompts the software to report the Scratch Disk as full, even though there’s sufficient space. Understanding which scenario you’re dealing with is crucial to resolving the error effectively and efficiently.
The main problem is that the Photoshop scratch disk is using your computer’s hard-drive. Therefore, you need to change the way Photoshop uses your computer’s memory storage. Photoshop is using the hard-drive as a temporary virtual memory that is not permanent.
But this only happens when your computer is out of RAM to perform certain actions. So if there is a single hard-drive on your computer, then the operating system will be installed on this exact hard-drive because there is no other place it can be installed.
So when the time comes and this hard-drive finally runs out of space, which will eventually happen, it causes errors in Photoshop and doesn’t give it the opportunities to function as it should. It could even lead to crashing in the middle of your work, which might end in losing a bunch of time and having to start over again. More to it, this kind of error leaves temporary scratch files on your hard-drive that can happen to be quite large.
Frequently Asked Questions About Photoshop Scratch Disks
What does “scratch disks are full” mean in Photoshop?
It means Photoshop doesn’t have enough available storage on the drive being used as its scratch disk. Photoshop uses scratch disk space as temporary working storage when processing files and performing edits.
How do I clear the scratch disk in Photoshop?
Free up space on the drive Photoshop uses as its scratch disk by deleting unnecessary files, moving large files to another drive, and removing unneeded temporary data. You can also change Photoshop to use a different drive with more available space.
Can I change the scratch disk in Photoshop?
Yes. Photoshop allows you to select another available drive under its Scratch Disk settings. Using a drive with more free space can help resolve scratch disk errors.
Why does Photoshop say my scratch disks are full when I have space?
Photoshop may be using a different drive than expected, temporary files may be consuming significant storage, or the available space may still be insufficient for the operation you’re performing. Check Photoshop’s Scratch Disk settings to confirm which drive is being used.
Will clearing the Photoshop cache fix a full scratch disk?
Clearing cached data can free some resources and may help in certain situations, but it won’t always solve the problem. If the scratch disk itself has very little free storage, you’ll usually need to free disk space or select another drive.
Can I use an external drive as a Photoshop scratch disk?
Photoshop can use supported external drives as scratch disks. For better performance, use a fast drive with plenty of available storage and a reliable connection.
How to Prevent Photoshop Scratch Disk Full Errors
You can reduce the chances of seeing the Photoshop scratch disk full error again by keeping plenty of free space available on the drive Photoshop uses for temporary storage.
Regularly remove unnecessary files, clean up temporary data, and move large projects or archived files to another drive when appropriate. If your primary drive frequently runs low on space, consider configuring Photoshop to use another fast drive with more available storage as its scratch disk.
It’s also a good idea to periodically check Photoshop’s scratch disk settings, especially after adding or replacing storage drives. Keeping sufficient free space available gives Photoshop more room to work with large images, layers, filters, and other memory-intensive tasks.
If the error returns, start by checking your available disk space and then work through the troubleshooting steps in this guide.
Once Photoshop is running smoothly again, put your editing skills to fun use and make your own magazine cover with Durofy’s free AI magazine cover generator.
Vincent Cruz is the founder and editor of Durofy, where he covers business, technology, and practical consumer guides.
1 Comment
Great read — this article gives excellent, clear steps for fixing the “Scratch Disk Full” error in Adobe Photoshop!