If you're an avid user of Adobe Photoshop, you may have encountered the frustrating error message that says, "scratch disks are full". This error can bring your creative workflow to a dead end, causing panic and uncertainty about how to resolve the issue. However, worry not! In this comprehensive guide, we will help you fix the Photoshop scratch disk full error.
Whether you're a professional designer, photographer, or hobbyist who enjoys unleashing your creativity through digital art, this guide is designed to help you get back to your projects swiftly and with confidence. So, let's dive in and explore the various methods to resolve the 'scratch disks are full' error in Photoshop, allowing you to regain control over your creative endeavors in no time.
Part 1: Possible Reasons Behind 'Scratch Disks are Full' Error
Before getting straight to the fixes, it's essential to first understand what causes scratch disks are full errors while using Photoshop. So, here are some possible reasons behind scratch disks are full error:
1. Insufficient disk space:
Lack of available space on the drive where Photoshop is installed can trigger the error.
2. Excessive temporary files:
Accumulation of temporary files generated by Photoshop can consume significant disk space, leading to the 'scratch disks are full' error.
3. Excessive Photoshop cache:
The Photoshop cache stores temporary data to improve performance and enhance editing speed. However, if the cache becomes too large, it can occupy a substantial amount of disk space and contribute to the 'scratch disks are full' error.
4. Permissions and access restrictions:
Inadequate privileges or access rights for the user account running Photoshop may result in the error.
5. Incorrect scratch disk settings:
Misconfigured or unavailable scratch disk settings can trigger the error message.
So these are the possible reasons behind scratch disks are full error. Now it's time to discuss how to fix scratch disks are full Photoshop error.
Part 2: How to Fix the 'Scratch Disks are Full' Error?
There are multiple methods to fix scratch disks are full Photoshop error. All you have to do is follow the given steps carefully, and you will end up fixing this issue.
Method 1. Close Unnecessary Applications
In order to fix the 'scratch disks are full' error in Photoshop, it is essential to free up system resources by closing any unnecessary applications or programs running in the background.
By doing so, you allocate more space for Photoshop to operate smoothly and prevent errors from occurring.
Method 2. Delete Temporary Files
One common culprit behind the 'scratch disks are full' error is the accumulation of temporary files generated by Photoshop. These files consume disk space and can lead to an error message.
By locating and deleting these temporary files, you can reclaim storage space and resolve the error. Follow the steps below to clear out these files and alleviate the issue.
Step 1. Open the File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac).
Step 2. Navigate to the temporary files location used by Photoshop. The default locations are:
- Windows: C:\Users[Username]\AppData\Local\Temp
- Mac: /Users/[Username]/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/Adobe Photoshop Temp
Step 3. Delete the temporary files starting with the name Photoshop within the folder to free up disk space.
Method 3. Increase Scratch Disk Space
When working with large files or performing resource-intensive tasks, Photoshop utilizes scratch disks as temporary storage. If the designated scratch disks do not have enough free space, the 'scratch disks are full' error may appear.
So, here are the steps that can help you increase scratch disk space.
- Launch Photoshop and go to the "Edit" menu.
- Select "Preferences" followed by "Scratch Disks."
Now go to the Performance tab and increase the memory usage as shown in the picture below.
- After that, click "OK" to save the changes.
Method 4. Change the Location of the Scratch Disk
If the current scratch disk is running out of space, you can change its location to a drive with ample free space. By selecting a different drive as the scratch disk, you can ensure that Photoshop has enough storage capacity to handle the temporary data.
Follow the steps below to modify the scratch disk location and resolve the error.
- Open Photoshop and go to the "Edit" menu.
- Select "Preferences" followed by "Scratch Disks."
Uncheck the current scratch disk location.
- Check a different drive with ample free space.
- Click "OK" to apply the changes.
Method 5. Clear the Photoshop Caches
Photoshop accumulates various caches that can occupy a significant amount of disk space. Clearing these caches not only frees up storage but also helps prevent the 'scratch disks are full' error.
Here are the steps you can follow to clear the Photoshop caches.
- Open Photoshop and navigate to the "Edit" menu.
Select "Purge" followed by the desired cache to clear, such as "Clipboard," "Histories," or "All."
- Confirm the cache clearing action when prompted.
Method 6. Allow Photoshop to Use More RAM
As you may know, Photoshop relies on RAM to handle complex tasks efficiently. By allocating more RAM to Photoshop, you can enhance its performance and minimize the likelihood of encountering the 'scratch disks are full' error.
So here are the steps you can follow:
- Launch Photoshop and go to the "Edit" menu.
- Select "Preferences" followed by "Performance."
Adjust the "Memory Usage" slider to allocate more RAM to Photoshop.
- Click "OK" to save the changes.
Method 7. Upgrade Your Hard Drive
If you have tried all the above solutions and are still encountering the "scratch disks are full" error in Photoshop, it may be time to upgrade your hard drive to a larger capacity.
For this, you will need a bigger hard drive and install it on your computer. However, you must be wondering what will happen to your existing data if you upgrade your hard drive. Well, worry not because we have a solution for you which is 4DDiG Partition Manager. All you have to do is install the new hard drive on your computer and clone the previous disk's data to the newer one with the help of 4DDiG Partition Manager.
This tool will help you quickly transfer all the data, including the operating system, software, photos, videos, etc. Here are the steps:
First of all, connect the newer hard drive to your computer. After that, download and install the 4DDiG Partition Manager tool. Once it is installed successfully, launch it and go to Clone Disk.
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Now choose the newer hard drive that you have just installed on your system and then hit the Continue button.
Note that the cloning process will overwrite all data on the target disk. Ensure you have selected the correct target disk and click the "Sure" button to proceed.
Next, you will be presented with a preview interface showing the cloned disk's expected outcome. If everything appears correct, click on the "Start" button to initiate the cloning operation.
Now wait for the process to be completed; it may take some time, so be patient. Once the process is completed, all the data from your older hard drive will be cloned to the newer one.
So, that's how you can upgrade your hard drive without losing the data.
FAQs Related to 'Scratch Disks are Full' Error
1. Why is my scratch disk full even though I have space?
This could occur if your designated scratch disk doesn't have enough free space allocated for Photoshop to use. Check the scratch disk preferences in Photoshop and ensure that there is sufficient space available on the designated drive.
2. How much space do I need for a Photoshop scratch disk?
The required space for a Photoshop scratch disk can vary depending on the size and complexity of the files you work with. It is generally recommended to have at least 40-50 GB of free space on the scratch disk to avoid encountering the 'scratch disks are full' error.
Final Thoughts
So that's how you can get rid of scratch disks are full error while running Photoshop. All you have to do is carefully follow the methods given above and fix the issue. You can try any of the given methods above, but if you don't want to waste your time and energy, you can try upgrading your hard drive to permanently fix the scratch disks are full Photoshop errors. For this, we recommend you use 4DDiG Partition Manager to upgrade your hard drive without losing your data. Don't hesitate to try it!