FIX: Surface Pen drags the canvas around in Photoshop

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Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Many Windows 10 users who recently installed the latestupdateson their devices reported that theSurface Penoften drags the canvas in Photoshop.

So, instead of drawing, the pen just moves the canvas around especially when starting a vertical stroke. This is one of the few Surface Pen issues in Photoshop.

Here’s how one user describesthis bug:

I’m on aSurface Pro4 andPhotoshop CCused to work just fine for me but recently I’m experiencing the following problem: often in Brush mode the pen moves the canvas around instead of drawing. This is almost always the case when starting a vertical stroke, less so for horizontal ones. […]Please note that mySurface penis working normally other than in this specific instance. All other drawing or writing applications work as usual. I therefore suspect this is a Photoshop specific problem.

Judging by the user’s reports, it seems that this problem occurred after installing theKB4093112 Spectre patch.

The good news is that there are some quick fixes that you can use to solve this problem for good. Here are the troubleshooting steps to follow.

How can I fix Surface Pen issues in Photoshop?

1. Download the latest version of Adobe Photoshop

If your Surface Pen is causing issues while using it in your current Photoshop edition, you might be facing an incompatibility instance.

Make sure you update to the latest version of Adobe Photoshop in order to regain the full control of your stylus and also benefit from the latest enhancements and upgraded photography tools that come with it.

Adobe Photoshop

2. Uninstall the latest updates

Since this problem seems to be related to Windows 10updates, try to uninstall the latestpatchesthat you installed on your computer.

Go to your Windows 10 Update history and remove the latestupdates. Then restart your computer and check if the problem persists. If this is the case, go to the next solution.

3. Tweak your Registry usingCMD

If you want to keep the latest updates on your machine, you can use these two alternative solutions to fix Surface Pen issues in Photoshop.

4. Create a .reg file

You can return the device to its prior behavior by creating a .reg file. Launch Notepad and copy the following text in a new document:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

Save the respective Notepad document asfixpen.reg. Double click on it and confirm you want to add it to the Registry. Reboot your Surface device and check if the problem has been solved.

That concludes our solutions which we hope you will find useful. If you have any other issues with the Surface Pen in Photoshop, let us know in the comments section below.

FIX: Surface Pen drags the canvas around in Photoshop#

How can I fix Surface Pen issues in Photoshop?#

1. Download the latest version of Adobe Photoshop#

Adobe Photoshop#

2. Uninstall the latest updates#

3. Tweak your Registry usingCMD#

4. Create a .reg file#