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If Photoshop 2026’s Select > Subject appears to crash your entire Windows PC, first try switching Select Subject processing to Cloud if that option is available. One Adobe Community user reported that this avoided the crash on their system, but Adobe has not confirmed it as a general fix or identified a root cause. If the workaround fails, use the reversible GPU test and version checks below before considering hardware changes.
What the nviddmkm.sys report does—and does not—show
An Adobe Community user reported on July 4, 2026, that running Select > Subject sometimes hard-crashed the whole PC, with a SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION stop code and the failed-module string nviddmkm.sys. The poster also mentioned possible image corruption and said Cloud processing prevented the issue on their system. That is one user’s account, not confirmation of a widespread Photoshop 2026 defect, an NVIDIA driver defect, or a universal fix. Read the Adobe Community report.
The string alone does not establish that the GPU hardware is faulty. Do not buy a replacement GPU based only on this crash report. Adobe Community Manager Sameer K replied on July 20, 2026, asking whether GPU components had been tuned, suggesting a Photoshop beta test, and requesting crash-report submission; the thread does not confirm a cause or product fix. His general diagnostic observation was: “If the entire machine crashes, Photoshop may seem like the trigger, but zooming out reveals that there is often a different cause.” It was not a determination of this user’s cause.
Try the reported Cloud-processing workaround
- In Photoshop, open Preferences > Image Processing (called Settings > Image Processing on some interfaces).
- Under Select Subject and Remove Background, choose Cloud if the option appears.
- Repeat the same selection task on a suitable image and note whether the whole PC remains stable.
The Cloud setting is a workaround reported by one user, not an Adobe-confirmed fix. If it is unavailable or does not help, continue with diagnosis rather than assuming the cause.
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Check whether Photoshop’s GPU path is involved
Adobe describes turning off Use Graphics Processor as its quickest, easiest way to test whether the video adapter or driver may be involved. This is a diagnostic test, not proof that a particular component has failed. Adobe’s GPU troubleshooting guidance explains the test.
- In Photoshop, go to Edit > Preferences > Performance.
- Clear Use Graphics Processor, then restart Photoshop.
- Repeat a comparable Select Subject test and record whether the PC crashes.
If the crash stops with GPU acceleration off, that points toward the graphics path and makes driver or GPU-setting tests more relevant; it does not identify a defective GPU. Disabling acceleration can reduce or disable GPU-dependent features. Adobe lists Oil Paint, Perspective Warp, Smooth Brush Resizing, and certain 3D functionality among features that require GPU acceleration. Its guidance also describes testing advanced settings such as OpenCL and GPU Compositing.
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Update Photoshop, Windows, and the graphics driver carefully
- Confirm versions first. Record Photoshop’s full version, Windows build, GPU model, and graphics-driver version. The Adobe release-notes page identifies Photoshop 2026 desktop as version 27.0 and Photoshop 2025 LTS as 26.11.1; it says Photoshop 27.0 dropped support for Windows 11 22H2 and 21H2. Check your installed versions against Adobe’s Photoshop release notes before applying version-specific advice.
- Install available updates. Update Photoshop and Windows, restart, and retest. Adobe’s stability guidance recommends testing after each troubleshooting step. See Adobe’s crash and freeze troubleshooting guidance.
- Get the graphics driver from the GPU maker. Download the appropriate driver from the manufacturer’s official site, install it, restart Windows, and test again. Adobe notes that “latest” is not guaranteed to solve every graphics issue; if an updated driver does not help, it suggests trying a slightly older stable version. Avoid third-party driver-download sites. Adobe’s GPU guidance covers driver troubleshooting.
Rule out preferences and optional plugins
- Reset preferences if appropriate. Resetting restores Photoshop’s settings to defaults, so note any custom settings you need before doing it. Adobe includes preference reset among its crash troubleshooting steps: Adobe crash and freeze guidance.
- Test without optional plugins. Launch Photoshop while holding Shift and choose to skip optional and third-party plugins when prompted. Repeat the selection test. If stability changes, investigate plugins before changing hardware.
Collect details if the full-PC crash continues
Distinguish a Windows blue screen or restart from Photoshop simply closing. Record the exact stop code and module string as displayed; also note the image or action involved, whether Cloud processing was selected, and what happened with GPU acceleration disabled.
- In Photoshop, open Help > System Info and save the information for Adobe support.
- Submit the Photoshop crash report if prompted or requested. The Adobe Community reply specifically requested crash-report submission.
- Include the Photoshop version, Windows build, GPU model and driver version, and the results of each test.
Adobe lists a resolved Select Subject/Object Selection crash for Photoshop 25.0 on Windows and Mac and advised updating the NVIDIA driver for that historical issue. It does not establish that the July 2026 report has the same cause or remedy. Check Adobe’s Photoshop known issues and fixes. The available release notes and known-issues records do not establish whether Adobe later acknowledged or fixed the specific July 2026 report.
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