Photoshop running slow and lagging when you edit photos
Photoshop runs out of memory when editing. Go to Edit > Preferences > Performance and increase your allocated memory and GPU resources. This fixes it in under 5 minutes.
Photoshop needs memory and graphics power to process your edits in real time. When you don't give it enough resources, every brush stroke and filter takes forever. Telling Photoshop to use more of your computer's resources fixes the lag.
Risk: Medium
⏱ 5–10 minutes
Beginner
⚡ Before you start
- ✓Check how much of your computer's memory Photoshop is allowed to use
- ✓Make sure your graphics card is being used for Photoshop
- ✓Make sure you have many layers or huge files open. This naturally makes Photoshop slower
Fix-IT-Bot will walk you through each step, just tap, no typing needed.
Skip, I just want a technicianCommon mistakes to avoid
- Not restarting Photoshop after changing memory settings
- Not realizing that your operating system needs memory too
- Setting memory allocation too high (above 90%), which can cause crashes
- Not checking if GPU is enabled before assuming it's a memory issue
Signs you need professional help
- If you've increased memory allocation to 80%, enabled GPU acceleration, and Photoshop is still laggy, your computer can't have enough RAM for the files you're working with.
Book a technician
We can fix most issues remotely in 15 minutes. Book your weekend slot and we handle the rest.
Was this guide helpful?
Can't fix it yourself?
Most issues are resolved remotely in 15 minutes. Weekend appointments only, no parts, no in-home visit needed.
