When you open a PNG or JPG from the web and want to edit a locked background layer, you double-click on the ‘background layer.’ You get this warning: ‘Could not edit the layer because the layer is locked.’
Here is How to fix this error
Step 01:
Select Background Layer
Step 02:
Solution 01:
Double-click on the locked layer, bringing a new layer dialogue box. Click OK & your background layer will become Layer 0 and be unlocked.
Solution 02:
Option Click on Mac or Alt. Click on Windows on the Locked layer to unlock the layer.
Solution 03:
Drag Layer’s Lock Symbol to the trash icon available at the bottom panel.
Result:
Photoshop will convert the background layer to a layer. Now, the layer is available for editing and manipulation.
Hope it helps,
Thanks & Regards
Mandar Apte