[100% Solved] Could Not Initialize Photoshop Because The Scratch Disks Are Full Mac

When I went through several forums & community websites, then I found that many users have reported about “could not initialize Photoshop because the scratch disks are full” error while using the Adobe Photoshop (CS6). It is a very common issue on both the Windows and Mac OS.

There are numerous reasons that can trigger this error message on your PC including too many temp files, lack of sufficient space, etc.

No matter whatever the reason behind the occurrence of could not initialize Photoshop because the scratch disk are full mac error is, you can easily fix it by using some proven methods.

So, just go through this complete blog and get the best fixes to get rid of this issue by yourself. But before that, let’s take a look at the below-give thread, how a user is struggling with Photoshop scratch disks are full issue:

What Does It Mean When Photoshop Scratch Disks Are Full?

After using Adobe Photoshop for a long time, you can get a “scratch disks are full” error message. The “scratch disk are full in Adobe Photoshop” error generally occurs when there is insufficient memory space or low space available on the PC disk to store the temp files of Photoshop.

Once the above error takes place, Adobe Photoshop either crashes/doesn’t load when trying to open it.

Common Causes for “Could Not Initialize Photoshop Because The Scratch Disks Are Full” Error

Below I have listed the major factors that can result in the “scratch disks full” issue:

• When there is Low storage space on a default scratch disk(that is in C: drive) which swaps the Adobe Photoshop’s files.
• Due to the sudden shutdown of the system which leaves, temporary files of the Photoshop undeleted and clogs up the space.
• Unassigned many scratch disks in the Photoshop preferences which deal with low space problems.
• Fragmented or noncontiguous free space on the scratch disk which does not initialize a Photoshop CS6 app.

So, these are the common reasons causes that can lead to the above-stated issue.

Now, you must be thinking that- What do I do when my scratch disks are full?

Well, there is nothing to worry about, just scroll down this webpage and get your answer in the next section.

How To Fix “Could Not Initialize Photoshop Because The Scratch Disks Are Full” Error?

Try out the below techniques and solve “could not initialize Photoshop because the scratch disk are full” error.

• Delete The Temporary Files
• Reboot Your PC
• Clear The Photoshop Purging Cache
• Create The Separate Partition Of A Disk
• Change The Location Of Scratch Disks
• Optimize The Hard Drive
• Disable Auto Recovery Saving Feature
• Increase A RAM Limit
• Buy the New SSD

Method 1: Delete The Temporary Files

The very first method you can try to troubleshoot this problem is to open the File Explorer and check if your storage disk (C: Drive that is a default preference of the scratch drive) is full. Though, if it’s full, then you need to free-up some extra space by deleting the temporary files of the drive.

In order to clear the temp files, follow the below easy instructions:

• Press the Win+ R keys together to open the Run.
• Then, type the %temp%>> click OK.

• After this, on a Temp folder, tap on Control+ A for selecting all the temp files.

• Tap on Shift+ Delete button at the same time, click Yes.
• If some actions cannot be completed, at the time, close all opened apps.
• Choose the checkbox “Do this for all the current items” >> Tap “Try Again.”
• In case a few files cannot be erased, you can just click on Skip.

After finishing these steps, run an Adobe Photoshop CS6 application once again and check whether the error is appearing or not.

If it still persists, try further troubleshooting methods to solve could not use the type tool because the scratch disks are full.

Also Read: Fix “The Volume Does Not Contain A Recognized File System” In 2021

Method 2: Reboot Your PC To Fix Could Not Place Because The Scratch Disks Are Full

Rebooting the PC (worked for me) is one of the best and working methods that users are often doing when they face any issues on their device.

No matter whether you are getting this “scratch disks are full” error on your Mac or Windows system, you can apply this method and fix this issue.

Method 3: Clear The Photoshop Purging Cache

Many users have reported that deleting Photoshop caches had helped them to solve the above-shown issue.

So, you can also apply this approach to purge the cached files from an Edit menu. Here is how you can do so to fix Photoshop scratch disk full PC.

• On the Adobe Photoshop, you have to tap on Edit > Purge.
• Here, you will get 4 kinds of caches that you need to clean.
• Choose one of them (undo, histories, clipboard, and video cache) in order to clean. Else, click All and remove all the caches.

Method 4: Create The Separate Partition Of A Disk

Most of the time, due to the one partition on your storage drive, you can encounter could not initialize Photoshop because the scratch disks are full pc errors.

In such a situation, you need to create a separate partition of disk for the Adobe Photoshop Scratch Disk. Here is how you can easily do so:

• At first, make right-click on Windows logo >> select “Disk Management.”
• Under a Disk Management, right tap on C: Drive>> choose “Shrink Volume.”
• In a Shrink C: box, tap on Shrink without worrying about a shrinking space.

• Make right tap on unallocated space from a Window of Disk Management >> select the “New Simple Volume.”
• Then tap on Next. Identify a “Simple volume of the size in an MB” >> click Next. Again tap Next option to assign an identified drive letter.
• After this, tap Next option to format a volume with identified settings. Here you can rename a “Volume label”.
• Lastly, click Finish. When a partition is made, begin a Photoshop app while holding the Control+ Alt
• Choose a newly made partition as the Scratch Disk from a menu.

Method 5: Change The Location Of Scratch Disks

Another effective way that you can try to resolve this error is to change a location of Scratch Disks. By doing so, you can run your Adobe Photoshop fast on the computer or laptop. But while doing so, ensure do not choose your PC drive, the network/removable disk as a scratch disk.

Follow these steps for changing the Scratch Disk location:

Step 1: Open & tap on a Photoshop menu

Step 2: Then, go to the Preferences option >> then tap Scratch Disk.

Step 3: Tick on checkbox to choose/remove the drive as a scratch disk.

Step 4: Tap on the OK button.

Step 5: Reboot Photoshop and apply all the changes.

Also Read: Fix “The Disk Structure Is Corrupted And Unreadable” Error

Method 6: Optimize The Hard Drive To Fix Could Not Initialize Photoshop Because The Scratch Disks Are Full Mac

As we all know that, Adobe Photoshop needs non-fragmented or contiguous free space on a scratch disk. For that, you have to optimize the hard drive by following the below steps and fix scratch disks are full in Photoshop error with ease.

• First of all, press a Window key & type the “defragment”
• Choose the “Defragment & Optimize Drives” application.
• Under Optimize Drives, choose a drive (C: Drive) >> click Analyze.
• After analyzing is over & drive gets fragmented >> tap on Optimize option to defragment the hard drive & make your PC run efficiently.

Method 7: Disable Auto Recovery Saving Feature

When the Auto Recovery saving feature is enabled then you can get the “Adobe Photoshop scratch disks are full” issue. Thus, you can easily outcome the situation by disabling this specific feature.

• On your PC, launch the Photoshop
• Tap on the Edit then Preferences >> select File Handling.
• Simply, uncheck Automatically Save Recovery.

Method 8: Increase A RAM Limit

Insufficient RAM is another foremost reason behind the occurrence of Adobe Photoshop scratch disks are full error. Thus, increasing the limit of RAM can help you to preempt the problem.

In order to increase Photoshop RAM limit, follow the below steps:

Step 1: Launch the Photoshop >> go to the Edit > Preferences

Step 2: Now, choose Performance. After this Preferences window will open.

Step 3: In Memory Usage, you have to go to the option “Let the Photoshop Use” & either drag or type the cursor for adjusting the wanted RAM usage.

Step 4: Tap OK.

Method 9: Buy the New SSD

If none of the above solutions helped you to “can’t open Photoshop scratch disk full” error then the last option left for you that is to buy the new SSD.

When Scratch Disks are full in Photoshop problem takes place due to insufficient HDD Space or not enough RAM then it is highly suggested to buy a SSD drive which can be used as the Scratch Disk.

How To Free Up Disk Space To Fix Adobe Photoshop Scratch Disks Are Full?

The Adobe Photoshop scratch disks are full issue generally appears when the start-up disk is running low storage space. So, if you are going through the same situation then simply free up your desktop hard drive space and solve this issue.

Follow the below steps to do so:

• Uninstall the unnecessary apps & programs.
• Clean the desktop.
• Discard the temporary files.
• Use a Disk Cleanup Tool.
• Deal with the downloads.

Please Note: Photoshop Elements requires at least 3 GB of disk space in order to launch.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What Is Adobe Photoshop Scratch Disk?

A Photoshop scratch disk is a hard drive/SSD which is used as a temporary storage in order to save the document history, and other data which can’t be saved in the RAM.

How Do I Empty The Scratch Disk In Photoshop On Mac?

If you are a Mac user and want to empty the scratch disk in Adobe Photoshop, follow the below steps:
1. Open the Photoshop >> click on Photoshop which you can see at a menu bar
2. Next, go to the Preferences and then Scratch Disks
3. Under Scratch Disk Preferences, you need to select an external drive that you need to use as a scratch disk & uncheck an in-built hard disk through low storage space
4. Tap on OK.

How Do You Fix Could Not Initialize Photoshop Because Scratch Disks Are Full?

In order to get rid of could not initialize Photoshop because the scratch disks are full PC error, try these fixes:
1. Delete the temporary files
2. Disable an Auto Recovery saving feature
3. Change the location of Scratch Disks
4. Increase RAM limit
5. Free up some extra space on Scratch Disks of Pc
6. Get the new SSD.

What Do You Do When Scratch Disks Are Full?

When your PC says 'scratch disk full' error then the first thing you need to do is to delete cache and temporary files of your Photoshop. Also, you can free up some extra space on your Windows or Mac system and get rid of it easily.

How Much Space Does Photoshop Need For Scratch Disk?

Adobe Photoshop needs Minimum 6 GB space on the scratch disk.

Time To Wrap Up

So, now it’s time to end up.

Actually, it is not a big problem that can’t be fixed. By applying the solutions mentioned in this article, you can fix could not initialize Photoshop because the scratch disks are full Windows 10 with ease.

All these fixes are very effective and to use them you don’t even require having any technical skills.

So, once try them and resolve could not open photoshop because scratch disks are full errors without any trouble.

That’s all…