PSP2020: Not Shutting Down, Still running in background

[Donnie]

For Instance: I quit / exit PSP. I usually keep PC running. The next day or that afternoon. PSP will not open. Come to find out that PSP is still running in the background as evidenced by seeing it still open in the Task Manager. Then I have to right-click on PSP and manually shut it down. Then go back and reopen PSP to get it up and running again. Quite annoying. I never ran into this problem before. I have been a user of PSP for many years (a very long time).

I have tried everything as I consider myself somewhat of a PC power user. I wrote Corel and I was given instructions to uninstall and re-install. No-go. I knew this was not a fix as I tried this before contacting them. They also gave me some link to download some cleanup utility.

I would certainly appreciate any responses, please. I am using the same PC as with PSP2019 (Win 10 - latest updates - nothing fancy machine) > no other release has ever done this.

Thank you kindly,
Donald

[Ken Berry]

I am afraid you are not alone. I also have this happen to me, and it has happened with various versions of PSP. The problem is that it does not always happen. Sometimes when I close PSP, the Background Process continues for a little while but then stops automatically. But when I try to reopen PSP and I find it still running in Background Processes, I know I have to End Task to get rid of it and reopen PSP.

Unfortunately, I don't think there is a solution to it since it does not happen with everyone. I'm afraid I have just learned to be patient with it, as it's only a few extra seconds to close the process and reopen PSP.

[Donnie]

Thank you for your response so quickly. Well, with mine, it stays running always until I go to Task Man and shut it down. Even more strange is that I have another machine that does not happen. So, something with the handshaking between the app and windows.

[TimW]

I would suggest powering your computer down every day, when you're finished for that day. A complete power down can clear out all sorts of gremlins. This is no guarantee that it will fix your specific problem, but is a good habit to get into.

[Ken Berry]

In fact I *do* power down every day. But I still occasionally get this problem...

[tinidril]

I have begun having to use Task Manager after every use of Paint Shop Pro since the last update to PSP 2020 so that it will actually appear when I need it. I turn my computer off every night. It's a brand new computer with LOTS of RAM, storage, etc. I've tried clicking the 'x' on the program window, choosing "Exit" from the file menu, right-clicked the icon on the task bar and choosing "Close window" and nothing will turn off the program completely. I sometimes need to scan artwork multiple times a day, so this extra step just to shut down the program to make it usable is extremely annoying.

Windows 10 latest update
64 bit PSP

I can dig up other info about my particular computer if that's helpful.

[TimW]

For those having this problem - I wonder how PSP would respond if it were just minimized for a period of time. Maybe a few hours. If it behaves & doesn't impact any other running programs, that could be a simple fix. I don't have that problem so, I can't test it.

[Ken Berry]

I sometimes need to scan artwork multiple times a day, so this extra step just to shut down the program to make it usable is extremely annoying.

Surely TimW's suggestion of simply leaving PSP open but minimized would be a good suggestion for you to minimize your annoyance. It would have been what I would suggest even without's Tim's involvement...

[tinidril]

I've tried minimizing the window, but that doesn't make the program behave, and is only helpful if I am only using my browser and a few other programs at the same time. But, when I need to use processor hogs like multiple instances of LOTRO (my game - in which I play music on multiple accounts) it affects performance to leave a large program running.

One thing I have not looked into is program preferences... although why I would want a program to go in hiding and not "wake up" when I want it is beyond me... I'm sure this is a straight up bug, so I'll investigate how to submit a bug report.

[Jean-Luc]

See also here:
viewtopic.php?f=56&t=65043&p=366138&hil ... ns#p365899

[Ken Berry]

I'm sure this is a straight up bug, so I'll investigate how to submit a bug report.

The problem is that a bug usual affects everyone; whereas in this case it clearly doesn't -- only affects a few. So don't hold your breath for Corel to come up with a solution. This has been going on for years in various versions (for me, at least) and nothing has been done to correct it.

[hartpaul]

I have no problems here.
I started PSP2020, loaded an image did a couple of adjustments and then closed the image without saving.
Brought up the Task Manager and then closed PSP 2020.
Repeated this three times using different methods of closing - (three different ways)
My average for it disappearing from the Task Manager - and being able to be reopened was about 14.5 sec with minimum of 13.7 sec and max of 15.1 sec.

[Ken Berry]

Thanks for that. That's also consistent with what I get when it is working correctly. Unfortunately, it just bears out what I said about this problem only affecting a few users (including me), and affecting them in different ways... I can't think that Corel will treat it as a bug -- and certainly it hasn't done so in the many years this has been going on. As I say, I have learned to be patient, which I suspect is the only solution...

[jroads]

I'm sure this is a straight up bug, so I'll investigate how to submit a bug report.

The problem is that a bug usual affects everyone; whereas in this case it clearly doesn't -- only affects a few. So don't hold your breath for Corel to come up with a solution. This has been going on for years in various versions (for me, at least) and nothing has been done to correct it.

If you had done software tech support or quality assurance, you'd wouldn't be saying that a bug usually affects everyone because that's not even close to true (and if you HAVE done TS/QA and are still saying this, shame on you. *wink*). Certain types of bugs may affect most people, other types can affect absolutely everyone, but the majority of bugs hide quite well only appearing when the right environment and/or condition triggers them. What IS true, though, is that Corel fixing this issue is not going to be a priority unless they get a certain percentage of users reporting it, which is fair. It's a minor time-waster to be sure, but it's not a critical bug.

That aside, I've also had this same exact same problem on the last few versions of PSPro, and on a variety of different Windows versions, on different PCs. It very rarely completely shuts down by itself. Now I just make a habit of going into Task Manager and killing it before I move on to another task so I don't forget.

[lata]

Hi
I have this problem and can repeat the fault to order
1 / Launch PSP
2 / File – New to open any size image, or use one of your images
3 / Use the Crop tool, other editing techniques also work.
4 / Hit the “X” to close program
5 / Message “Close All Files” – I choose Close All
6 / Program hangs in Task Manager – Background Processes

Appears to be a problem with all versions I have used.