If you’re a Photoshop user, you might have faced the “Scratch Disk Full” error while editing or saving large files. This error occurs when Photoshop runs out of space in the temporary storage drive it uses. Don’t worry — in this guide, I’ll explain why this happens and show you step-by-step methods to fix it.
✅ What is a Scratch Disk in Photoshop?
A scratch disk is a hard drive or SSD space that Photoshop uses as virtual memory (temporary storage) when your system doesn’t have enough RAM to complete a task. If this disk gets full, Photoshop throws the “Scratch Disk Full” error.
⚡ Common Causes of Scratch Disk Full Error
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Low free space on the drive where scratch disk is set.
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Too many temporary Photoshop files.
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Large PSD projects consuming high memory.
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Photoshop set to use the wrong drive as scratch disk.
🛠️ How to Fix Scratch Disk Full Error in Photoshop
🔹 Method 1: Change Scratch Disk Preferences
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Open Photoshop.
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Go to Edit > Preferences > Scratch Disks (Windows) or Photoshop > Preferences > Scratch Disks (Mac).
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Check/uncheck drives where you have enough free space.
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Click OK and restart Photoshop.
🔹 Method 2: Free Up Disk Space
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Delete unnecessary files from your scratch disk drive.
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Empty Recycle Bin/Trash.
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Clear Photoshop temp files (search for
~PSTfiles on Windows or Mac).
🔹 Method 3: Increase RAM Allocation to Photoshop
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Go to Edit > Preferences > Performance.
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Increase the Memory Usage slider to allow more RAM for Photoshop.
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Restart Photoshop for changes to apply.
🔹 Method 4: Defragment or Move Scratch Disk
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If your scratch disk is fragmented, defragment it.
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Use a faster SSD or another drive as the scratch disk for better performance.
🔹 Method 5: Reset Photoshop Preferences
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Press and hold Ctrl + Alt + Shift (Windows) or Cmd + Option + Shift (Mac) while launching Photoshop.
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A pop-up will appear asking to reset settings — confirm it.
🧹 Pro Tips to Avoid Scratch Disk Issues
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Always keep at least 40GB free in your scratch disk drive.
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Use a dedicated SSD for Photoshop’s scratch disk.
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Regularly clear Photoshop cache and temp files.
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Keep your RAM upgraded for heavy projects.
❓ FAQs about Photoshop Scratch Disk Error
Q1: Can I use an external hard drive as a scratch disk?
👉 Yes, but it should be a fast SSD, not a slow HDD, otherwise Photoshop will lag.
Q2: How much free space should I keep for a scratch disk?
👉 At least 40–100 GB free space is recommended for smooth performance.
Q3: Does deleting temp files delete my Photoshop projects?
👉 No, it only removes temporary cache files. Your PSD files remain safe.
Q4: Will increasing RAM fix the scratch disk error?
👉 More RAM reduces dependency on the scratch disk, so yes, it helps a lot.
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