GIMP is computer software developed to provide users with graphic editing tools. First launched in 1998, GIMP is often considered a free alternative to Photoshop software. The computer application offers users tools for image editing, drawing, and other graphic designing tools. Despite its success and popularity, many users have sometimes found several issues, such as the application paintbrush tool not working. GIMP paint tool issues are common and usually occur due to wrong settings in the app. Some of the reasons for the GIMP paintbrush tool not working are listed in the next section.

How to Fix GIMP Paintbrush Tool Not Working

There could be various reasons for the GIMP paint tool not to work; some of these issues are listed below.

Contents

  • How to Fix GIMP Paintbrush Tool Not Working

  • Method 1: Use RGB Mode

  • Method 2: Modify Layers

  • Method 3: Unlock Layers

  • Method 4: Use Correct Brush

  • Method 5: Change Brush Settings

  • Method 6: Select None Option

  • Wrong color settings in the application

  • Wrong selection of the layer

  • Selection of the wrong paintbrush

  • Incorrect brush settings

The following guide will give you methods to solve this paintbrush tool issue on the GIMP application.

Method 1: Use RGB Mode

One of the first things you can do to fix the GIMP paint tool error is to keep the settings to RGB mode. RGB mode provides for red, green, and blue colors as the primary colors. To set the settings to RGB mode, you can follow these steps.

  1. Open the GIMP application on your PC.

  2. In the GIMP window, click on the image menu.

  3. Now, click on Mode.

  4. Here, select the RGB option.

Many users have found that keeping their settings to RGB has resolved GIMP paintbrush tool issues.

Method 2: Modify Layers

If the project you are working on has multiple layers, you may want to check if you are working on the correct layer. If you have selected a different layer, the paint will make changes only on the selected layer.

  1. Launch the GIMP app.

  2. Locate Layers on the right-hand side of the Window.

  3. From the list of layers, select the layer you want to make changes in.

Also Read: How to Convert Image to Grayscale Paint

Method 3: Unlock Layers

The following method that you can try to resolve Paintbrush tool not working issue is to check if the layer is locked. If the layer has been locked, you will not be able to make any changes to its contents. To unlock the layer, you can follow these simple steps:

  1. Open the GIMP application.

  2. Locate the Layer options on the right side of the GIMP window.

  3. Above the layers, locate the Lock options.

  4. Check if all the Lock options are unlocked. If you continue to get the same error, move on to the next method.

Method 4: Use Correct Brush

GIMP software provides users with a wide variety of brushes. However, all of these brushes do not have the same function. Clipboard image brushes are mainly not used for painting colors. Thus, if you have selected clipboard image brushes, you won’t be able to draw on your file. To check if you are using the wrong brush, you can follow these simple steps.

  1. Open the GIMP application on your Desktop.

  2. From the top-right side of the Window, select the brush options.

  3. Check if you have selected the Clipboard image brush.

  4. Select a different brush.

Also Read: How to Change Highlight Color in Adobe Acrobat Reader

Method 5: Change Brush Settings

The next possible reason why you are having a paintbrush tool not working error on the GIMP application is that you have the wrong brush settings. You can follow these simple steps to resolve the issue by making changes to the GIMP settings.

  1. Launch the GIMP application on your Desktop.

  2. Click on the Paintbrush tool.

  3. In the left side window, locate the Paintbrush options.

  4. Locate the Brush Size, and if it’s too small, drag it to a larger size.

  5. Also, locate the Brush Hardness and also drag it to a larger size if it is too low.

Also Read: How to Photoshop Convert to RGB

Method 6: Select None Option

The None command or option in the GIMP is used to unselect all the images’ selected parts. If the None command is not specified, you may not be able to use the paintbrush tool at the selected parts of the image. You can use this method by following these simple methods.

  1. Click on the Select menu on the GIMP window.

  2. Now, click on the None option.

Note: You can also use the shortcut Shift + Ctrl + A keys altogether to use the None function.

Q1. How to use the paintbrush tool in the GIMP app?

Ans. You can use Paintbrush tool in the GIMP app to paint the objects. You can locate the paintbrush options in the tool menu of the window. The GIMP app provides users with a wide number of paintbrushes to use.

Q2. Why can’t I use the paintbrush tool on the GIMP app?

Ans. There could be various reasons for Paintbrush tool not to work in the GIMP app. Some of the reasons paintbrush tools do not work are incorrect settings, wrong choice of brushes, and incorrect color settings on your GIMP app.

Q3. How many Paintbrushes are there on the GIMP app?

Ans. The GIMP app provides users with more than 50 styles of Paintbrushes. A user can pick these brushes from the paintbrush tool of the application.

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We hope this guide was helpful and that you were able to fix Paintbrush tool not working issue on your computer. Comment down and let us know which method worked for you. Also, if you have questions, queries, or suggestions, feel free to share them with us.