How to Fix the Photoshop “Scratch Disks Are Full” Error: The Complete Beginner-to-Pro Guide (2026)

Introduction

Adobe Photoshop is one of the world’s most powerful photo editing applications, but even experienced designers and photographers occasionally run into frustrating errors. One of the most common problems is the dreaded “Scratch Disks Are Full” message.

This error often appears at the worst possible moment—while editing a client project, creating a design, or opening a large PSD file. Sometimes Photoshop becomes extremely slow. Other times, it refuses to open entirely.

The good news is that this problem is usually easy to fix once you understand what a scratch disk is and why Photoshop uses it.

In this complete guide, you’ll learn:

• What the Scratch Disk error means
• Why it happens
• How to fix it on Windows and Mac
• How to prevent it from happening again
• Professional tips to make Photoshop run faster

Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced Photoshop user, this guide will help you solve the problem quickly and safely.

What Is a Scratch Disk in Photoshop?

A Scratch Disk is temporary storage that Photoshop uses when your computer’s RAM is not enough for the work you’re doing.

Think of it like a backup workspace.

Normally, Photoshop processes everything in your computer’s memory (RAM). However, when you’re working with:

• Large images
• Multiple layers
• Smart Objects
• High-resolution RAW files
• AI-powered Photoshop tools

the RAM can become full.

Instead of stopping completely, Photoshop temporarily stores extra data on your hard drive or SSD. That temporary storage is called the Scratch Disk.

Simple Example

Imagine you’re painting on a desk.

• The desk is your RAM.
• Extra papers are placed on a nearby table.
• That nearby table is your Scratch Disk.

If that table becomes full, you can’t continue working comfortably.

That’s exactly what happens inside Photoshop.

What Does the Error Look Like?

You may see messages like:

“Could not complete your request because the scratch disks are full.”

or

“Could not initialize Photoshop because the scratch disks are full.”

Sometimes Photoshop also displays a Scratch Disk Low warning before the actual error appears.

Why Does Photoshop Say Scratch Disks Are Full?

There isn’t just one reason.

Usually it’s caused by one or more of these problems.

1. Your Drive Has No Free Space

This is the most common cause.

Photoshop needs a significant amount of temporary storage while editing.

If your drive is almost full, Photoshop cannot create enough temporary files.

2. You’re Editing Huge Files

Large files consume enormous temporary storage.

Examples include:

• 8K photos
• Large banners
• Product catalogs
• Hundreds of layers
• 16-bit PSD files

These projects require much more Scratch Disk space than ordinary images.

3. Photoshop Temporary Files Built Up

If Photoshop crashes unexpectedly, temporary files may remain on your computer.

Over time these files occupy valuable storage.

4. Too Many History States

Every time you press Ctrl+Z, Photoshop keeps a record of your actions.

More undo history means more storage usage.

5. Wrong Scratch Disk Settings

Sometimes Photoshop is using a drive that has very little free space even though another drive has plenty available.

Signs Your Scratch Disk Is About to Fill Up

Before the error appears, you may notice:

• Photoshop becomes slow.
• Filters take longer.
• Saving files takes extra time.
• Large files freeze.
• Brushes lag.
• Undo becomes slower.
• Photoshop crashes unexpectedly.

Recognizing these warning signs early can help prevent lost work.

How to Fix Scratch Disks Are Full in Photoshop

Let’s go through each solution carefully.

Solution 1: Free Up Disk Space (Best First Fix)

This is the easiest solution.

Windows

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Right-click the C: drive.
3. Select Properties.
4. Click Disk Cleanup.
5. Delete unnecessary temporary files.
6. Empty the Recycle Bin.

Mac

1. Open Apple Menu → About This Mac.
2. Go to Storage.
3. Remove unnecessary files.
4. Empty the Trash.

What Should You Delete?

Safe options include:

• Downloads
• Temporary files
• Duplicate photos
• Old videos
• Recycle Bin
• Cache files

Avoid deleting important system files.

How Much Free Space Should You Keep?

For professional Photoshop work, keeping around 100 GB of free space is a good target, especially when working with large files.

Solution 2: Delete Photoshop Temporary Files

Sometimes Photoshop leaves behind temporary files after crashing.

These files can become surprisingly large.

Windows Steps

1. Close Photoshop.
2. Press Windows + R.
3. Type:

%temp%

4. Press Enter.
5. Look for files beginning with:

Photoshop Temp

6. Delete them.
7. Restart Photoshop.

Mac Steps

Temporary files are generally removed automatically after closing Photoshop, but restarting your Mac can help clear remaining temporary data.

Solution 3: Change Your Scratch Disk

If you have another drive with more storage, tell Photoshop to use it.

Windows

1. Open Photoshop.
2. Go to:

Edit → Preferences → Scratch Disks

3. Select another drive with plenty of free space.
4. Click OK.
5. Restart Photoshop.

Mac

1. Open Photoshop.
2. Go to:

Photoshop → Settings → Scratch Disks

3. Choose another drive.
4. Restart.

Using a fast SSD usually provides better performance than an older hard drive.

Can’t Open Photoshop?

Don’t worry.

You can change the Scratch Disk before Photoshop launches.

Windows

Hold:

Ctrl + Alt

while opening Photoshop.

Mac

Hold:

Command + Option

during startup.

A Scratch Disk selection window appears before Photoshop loads.

This trick often solves startup failures immediately.

Solution 4: Reduce History States

Many users don’t realize that undo history consumes storage.

Change It

1. Open:

Preferences → Performance

2. Find:

History States

3. Reduce it.

Example:

• Default: 50
• Better for large projects: 20–30

You’ll still have plenty of undo steps while reducing Scratch Disk usage.

Solution 5: Adjust Photoshop Memory Settings

Giving Photoshop more RAM can reduce Scratch Disk usage.

Steps

1. Open:

Preferences → Performance

2. Increase the memory allocated to Photoshop.
3. Stay within Photoshop’s recommended range.

Don’t allocate all your RAM to Photoshop because your operating system also needs memory.

Solution 6: Purge Photoshop Cache

Photoshop stores temporary data while working.

You can clear it manually.

Steps

1. Open Photoshop.
2. Click:

Edit → Purge

3. Choose:

• Clipboard
• Histories
• All

Important: Purging History removes your undo steps, so save your work first.

Solution 7: Reset Photoshop Preferences

Corrupted settings can also trigger Scratch Disk problems.

Windows

1. Close Photoshop.
2. Hold:

Shift + Ctrl + Alt

3. Launch Photoshop.
4. Confirm resetting preferences.

Mac

Use:

Shift + Command + Option

This restores Photoshop’s default settings and often resolves persistent issues.

How to Prevent Scratch Disk Errors Forever

Fixing the error is great.

Preventing it is even better.

Here are professional habits that keep Photoshop running smoothly.

Use an SSD

SSDs are much faster than traditional hard drives.

Benefits include:

• Faster loading
• Faster saving
• Better Scratch Disk performance

Keep Plenty of Free Space

Don’t wait until your drive reaches 99% capacity.

Regularly remove unnecessary files.

Close Unused Documents

Every open file consumes memory.

Close projects you’re not actively editing.

Restart Photoshop Regularly

Long editing sessions gradually increase temporary memory usage.

Restarting Photoshop refreshes Scratch Disk usage.

Archive Old Projects

Move completed PSD files to:

• External drives
• NAS storage
• Cloud storage

This keeps your working drive cleaner.

Best Scratch Disk Settings for Different Users

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Many users accidentally make the problem worse.

Avoid these mistakes.

Mistake 1: Ignoring Low Disk Warnings

Low storage warnings are early signs.

Fix them before Photoshop stops working.

Mistake 2: Using a Slow External Drive

USB 2.0 drives can significantly reduce performance.

Choose fast USB-C or Thunderbolt SSDs whenever possible.

Mistake 3: Saving Everything on C Drive

Spread projects across multiple drives when possible.

Mistake 4: Keeping Thousands of PSD Files on Your Main Drive

Archive completed work regularly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Delete Photoshop Temp Files?

Yes.

Deleting Photoshop temporary files is generally safe after closing Photoshop.

How Much Scratch Disk Space Does Photoshop Need?

The amount varies depending on your projects.

For large editing work, keeping around 100 GB of free space is a practical recommendation.

Can I Use an External SSD?

Yes.

A fast external SSD works well as a Scratch Disk, especially when connected through USB-C or Thunderbolt.

Why Does Photoshop Become Slow Even Without the Error?

Photoshop may already be using the Scratch Disk because RAM has been exhausted.

Increasing available memory and freeing disk space usually improves performance.

Does More RAM Reduce Scratch Disk Usage?

Yes.

More RAM means Photoshop relies less on temporary disk storage.

Quick Troubleshooting Checklist

If you’re in a hurry, follow this checklist.

• Save your project.
• Close Photoshop.
• Delete Photoshop Temp files.
• Empty Recycle Bin or Trash.
• Free at least 100 GB of storage.
• Change the Scratch Disk.
• Reduce History States.
• Restart Photoshop.
• Reset Preferences if necessary.

Final Thoughts

The “Scratch Disks Are Full” error may seem intimidating, but it’s really Photoshop’s way of saying it has run out of temporary working space.

Most users can solve the issue by:

• freeing storage,
• deleting temporary files,
• selecting a larger Scratch Disk,
• reducing History States,
• and using a faster SSD.

Adopting these habits not only fixes the error but also improves Photoshop’s speed, stability, and overall editing experience.

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• Author Details

JESSICA EDWIN AdministratorEditorAuthorContributorSubscriberCustomerShop managerCustom Permalinks Manager

Jessica Edwin is an experienced photographer, photo editor and a blogger with a demonstrated history of working in the various industries for the last 10+ years. She has strong organisational skills and administrative experience in handling photo retouching, post-production and budget management. She loves to write articles related to photography industry.

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