Photoshop "Scratch Disks Are Full" Error

How to fix it

Try these in order — the most common fix is first.

1. 1. Free up disk space

   Copy steps
   1. Delete files and empty the Trash/Recycle Bin on the scratch drive; many guides recommend keeping at least 20GB free on the OS drive
   2. On Windows run Disk Cleanup; on Mac open Apple menu > About This Mac > Storage and clear large items
   Did this fix it? Yes No

2. 2. Choose a different scratch disk

   Copy steps
   1. Edit > Preferences > Scratch Disks (Photoshop > Settings > Scratch Disks on Mac)
   2. Tick a fast drive with lots of free space (up to four can be used), preferably not the system drive
   3. Restart Photoshop for the change to apply
   Did this fix it? Yes No

3. 3. Purge caches and history

   Copy steps
   1. Edit > Purge > All (this clears clipboard, histories and caches, so you lose undo)
   2. Lower History States in Edit > Preferences > Performance
   3. Merge or flatten layers you no longer need to edit
   Did this fix it? Yes No

4. 4. Delete leftover temp files

   Copy steps
   1. Quit Photoshop
   2. Delete files named Photoshop Temp#### from your temp folder (Windows: %temp%; Mac: /private/var/folders or the scratch drive root)
   3. Restart the computer
   Did this fix it? Yes No

5. 5. Reset preferences

   Copy steps
   1. Hold Ctrl+Alt+Shift (Windows) or Cmd+Option+Shift (Mac) while launching Photoshop
   2. Confirm "Delete the Adobe Photoshop Settings file?"
   Did this fix it? Yes No

Symptoms

A "Could not complete your request because the scratch disks are full" message appears when opening, saving or working with large files, often after hours of editing.

Why it happens

• The startup drive is nearly full
• Large PSDs with many layers and history states fill temp files
• Temp files left behind by an earlier crash or by sleeping the computer without quitting Photoshop
• Scratch drive is a small or slow drive, or the same drive as the OS
• Corrupted preferences

This guide also covers

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Other Adobe Photoshop errors

• How to Cancel Adobe Photoshop Subscription (and the Early Termination Fee)
• Photoshop "Not Enough Memory (RAM)" Error
• Photoshop Generative Fill Not Working
• Photoshop Generative Fill "Violates User Guidelines" Error
• Photoshop Generative Credits Run Out (Firefly Credits Limit)
• Photoshop Keeps Crashing or Won't Open
• Photoshop GPU Errors: Graphics Processor Not Detected or Crashing
• Photoshop "Could Not Complete Your Request Because of a Program Error"