GIMP Version: 2.8.22
Operating System: Mac OS
OS Version: Mojave
GIMP Experience: Basic Level

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I was just using this blur filter and could adjust the amount up or down and now it doesn't do anything. I did just try changing from RLE to IIR and that lets me change the amount now. But I'm sure it was working with RLE selected. ...I'm not sure what those are but I'm following a tutorial and the instructor has RLE selected.

I've closed and re-opened the program but it hasn't changed.

any thoughts?

Thanks!
Deanna

PS....the info boxes above keep changing my program version back to .14... I have .22. I don't know why it changes it. Did I enter something wrong somewhere?

What are you trying to blur?
Any filter you are applying, affects only the layer that is active/selected.
From the background image I see, you are probably working on a multi-layer image, because the blur window shows lot of transparency.
5px gaussian blur looks like this on a fully filled or non-transparent layer.



use the tool in the preview window, I can see blue on the lower part.

The 14 is default. you just have to fill in all the details yourself to make sure they are correct.

I think your Gaussian Blur tool is just working fine.
I can see some blur at the bottom of the Gaussian blur preview window (the checkerboard), see your screen shot below, so it seems to work...

To see the blur you're applying you need to move/pan your image in that tiny window

You can do it by clicking in that preview window, stay clicked and move your mouse (as by default this preview window will show you the upper left corner of your image)
You can also click on that double crossed arrow, stay clicked, then a tiny preview pops up (or not, I don't recall), in all case then move your mouse
Or you can just use the sliding bar on the right side and at the bottom of that preview window to center your image

When you've changed to RLE, the Gaussian blur tool might have reset the scale/size of your image in that preview window, may be by scrolling(with your mouse wheel/middle "button") up or down inside that preview window you can change the scale of your image to see it in full

Just to add to previous posts, it looks like you might have added a super-nova or similar on its own transparent layer.
This in Gimp 2.8 (but not MacOS), click on the four-way arrow and drag around to adjust the preview window.



If you do ever upgrade to Gimp 2.10, operations such as gaussian blur are applied directly on the canvas, much easier to use.

Hi everyone,

Thank you for responding. I wasn't clear in what I wrote.

I mean the pop up window to make the adjustments to the blur isn't working. I can't change the number from 5 to well... anything. It is unresponsive when I click on the arrows up or down.

Sorry that it must have sounded like I was talking about the resulting blur.

I hope this is clearer.

thanks,
Deanna

PS thanks also for the explanation about the default 14.

The settings are held in the file pluginrc in the Gimp profile /Users/MyName/Library/Application Support/Gimp/2.8/
Unusual for the Gaussian blur plugin to get stuck, but who knows. Try renaming pluginrc to disable it. Start Gimp up and it re-scans the plugins, makes a new pluginrc file. Might work.
What to look for. This a Gimp 2.10.something, Gimp 2.8 should be the same

Thanks! I'll give that a try.