Photoshop’s batch automation tools are designed to save time, reduce repetitive work, and streamline production workflows. Yet many users encounter a frustrating issue: scripts refuse to process open images. Instead of running smoothly, the script may skip files, show errors, or fail silently. Fortunately, this problem is usually caused by a few common misconfigurations. Once identified, they are relatively simple to fix, restoring full automation functionality.

TLDR: When Photoshop scripts cannot process open images, the problem typically stems from script targeting settings, permission restrictions, file state conflicts, or outdated preferences. Checking whether the script is set to process open documents, ensuring proper file permissions, closing conflicting dialogs, and resetting preferences often resolve the issue. These fixes restore batch automation and prevent repeated workflow disruptions.

Understanding why scripts fail requires a look at how Photoshop handles documents, memory, and scripting instructions. Scripts either target already open images or open files from a designated folder. If the script configuration does not match the user’s workflow, or if Photoshop encounters unexpected states, the automation chain breaks. Below are four proven fixes that restore smooth batch processing.

Fix 1: Verify Script Targeting Settings

One of the most common reasons scripts cannot process open images is simple misconfiguration. Many Photoshop actions and scripts are configured to process a folder instead of images that are already open in the workspace.

Users should navigate to File > Automate > Batch and check the Source dropdown. If it is set to “Folder” rather than “Opened Files,” Photoshop will ignore currently open documents.

Steps to check and correct:

• Open Photoshop.
• Go to File > Automate > Batch.
• Under Source, select Opened Files.
• Confirm the correct action or script is selected.
• Click OK to run the batch process.

For users running JavaScript (.jsx) files through File > Scripts, it is essential to confirm that the script explicitly references app.documents. If the script instead uses file path logic to open images, it may bypass already open files.

Correct targeting ensures Photoshop applies instructions to the intended documents rather than searching for files elsewhere.

Fix 2: Close Modal Dialogs and Ensure Clean Document States

Photoshop scripts are highly sensitive to interrupting dialogs or incomplete document states. If a document has unsaved changes triggering prompts, hidden modal windows, or active tools waiting for confirmation, scripts may halt.

For example, if an image contains unsaved adjustments and Photoshop is set to prompt before saving or closing, automation may pause until manual intervention occurs.

How to resolve state conflicts:

• Manually save all open documents before running the script.
• Close adjustment dialogs (e.g., Levels, Curves, Camera Raw).
• Ensure no text boxes are in editing mode.
• Deselect active selection areas if the script requires full-image processing.

Advanced users can modify scripts to suppress dialogs using:

• app.displayDialogs = DialogModes.NO;

This command disables pop-ups during execution, preventing interruptions. However, it should be used carefully, as it suppresses all prompts, including warnings that may require attention.

A clean workspace environment significantly improves script reliability.

Fix 3: Check Permissions and Administrative Restrictions

Operating system permissions play an often-overlooked role in Photoshop automation failures. Scripts may fail to process images if Photoshop lacks sufficient rights to read, modify, or save files.

This situation is particularly common:

• After system updates
• When files are stored in protected directories
• On shared or corporate machines
• When accessing external drives or cloud-synced folders

If a script attempts to overwrite or save files in restricted directories, it may fail without clearly stating the cause.

Recommended actions:

• Run Photoshop as an administrator (Windows).
• Grant Full Disk Access to Photoshop (macOS under Privacy & Security settings).
• Move images to a local folder such as Desktop or Documents.
• Ensure file permissions allow read and write access.

In batch environments, permission issues can appear random if only certain files are restricted. Verifying folder accessibility eliminates this inconsistency.

Fix 4: Reset Photoshop Preferences and Update Scripts

Corrupt preferences frequently interfere with scripting and automation behavior. Users may notice scripts that previously worked suddenly stop processing open images.

Resetting preferences forces Photoshop to rebuild configuration files, often resolving unexplained automation errors.

How to reset preferences:

• Close Photoshop.
• Hold Ctrl + Alt + Shift (Windows) or Cmd + Option + Shift (Mac) while launching Photoshop.
• Confirm deletion of preference settings.

Alternatively, preferences can be reset from within Photoshop under Preferences > General > Reset Preferences on Quit.

In addition to resetting preferences, verifying script compatibility is essential. Older scripts may rely on deprecated APIs or outdated syntax incompatible with newer Photoshop versions.

Users should:

• Update Photoshop to the latest version.
• Check for script updates from the developer.
• Open the script in a code editor to confirm compatibility.
• Test the script with a small set of images first.

Running outdated scripts often results in partial execution, skipped documents, or complete inaction.

Additional Best Practices for Reliable Batch Automation

Beyond the four primary fixes, professionals can adopt preventative measures to ensure stable automation performance.

• Work with duplicate files when testing scripts.
• Keep file names simple (avoid special characters).
• Limit extremely large file sizes during batch testing.
• Ensure sufficient RAM and scratch disk space.

Photoshop relies heavily on available system resources. When memory is low, automation may behave unpredictably. Assigning adequate scratch disk space under Preferences > Scratch Disks improves consistency during high-volume processing.

Users managing high-production environments such as photography studios or design teams should also maintain standardized file structures and documented automation workflows. This reduces variability and improves reproducibility.

When Scripts Still Fail

If scripts continue to ignore open images after applying these fixes, the issue may stem from a more advanced coding conflict. In such cases, debugging tools become valuable.

Users can:

• Enable JavaScript Console logging.
• Add alert statements to confirm which documents are being targeted.
• Use the ExtendScript Toolkit or Visual Studio Code with Photoshop debugging extensions.

Testing a minimal script that simply loops through app.documents can determine whether Photoshop is properly recognizing open images. If this test works, the issue likely lies within the original script logic.

Most importantly, identifying whether the failure is environmental (permissions, dialogs, preferences) or structural (coding errors) narrows troubleshooting considerably.

Conclusion

Photoshop scripts failing to process open images can disrupt even the most organized workflow. However, the problem is rarely mysterious. Misconfigured source settings, interfering dialogs, permission limitations, and corrupted preferences account for the majority of cases.

By verifying targeting settings, maintaining clean document states, ensuring proper system permissions, and keeping scripts updated, users can quickly restore full batch automation. With proactive maintenance and testing, Photoshop becomes a powerful and dependable automation engine once again.

FAQ

• Why does Photoshop skip my open images during batch processing?
  The batch dialog is likely set to process a folder instead of “Opened Files,” or the script does not reference active documents correctly.
• Can unsaved changes cause scripts to stop working?
  Yes. Unsaved documents can trigger prompts that interrupt automation. Saving files before running scripts prevents this issue.
• Does resetting preferences delete custom settings?
  Yes. Resetting preferences restores Photoshop to default settings, removing customized shortcuts, scratch disk configurations, and UI layouts.
• How do I know if file permissions are the problem?
  If the script works in some folders but not others, or fails after a system update, permissions may be restricted. Running Photoshop as an administrator or adjusting security settings often resolves the issue.
• Are older scripts incompatible with new Photoshop versions?
  Sometimes. Updates may deprecate certain commands. Checking for script updates or revising outdated code can fix compatibility issues.
• Can low RAM prevent scripts from processing images?
  Yes. Insufficient memory or scratch disk space can cause scripts to fail midway or skip files. Increasing available resources improves reliability.
• What is the safest way to test a script?
  Use duplicate images in a separate test folder and process a small batch first before deploying automation on critical files.