Book Module fails to recognize some external drive files until restart

Forum|Forum|3 months ago
November 3, 2025
1 reply
82 views

In the Book module, when using image files stored on external drives that are connected after launching Lightroom, some of these files are incorrectly recognized as offline and the book export is failed. However, they are fully accessible and visible in the Library and Develop modules. To make the Book module recognize them correctly, I have to restart Lightroom with external drive connected. It would be great if this issue could be fixed.

macOS

Sameer K

Community Manager

Hey, @Ivan T. Welcome to the Lightroom Classic Community. I'll need more information to help you figure this out.

I've tried this, but I couldn't recreate it with the given details.

Please try to deduce the conditions or numbered steps that can help us recreate this.

For now, (1) Create a new catalog by holding the ALT/Opt key at the launch of Lightroom Classic, or go to File > New catalog.

2 - Import a few sets of images and check if the issue reappears.

Let me know how it goes. Thanks!
Sameer K

(Type '@' and type my name to mention me when you reply)

I

Ivan T.Author

Known Participant

Hi Sameer,
This ussue appers randomly so it is'ne such an easy to recreate. For example: I need to create PDF book using 100 photos stored on two external drivel. I design book using smart previews and connect drives for final PDF book export. Sometimes it works with no issues but aprox 50% it time some files, sometimes 2 or sometimes 20 are marked with red sign and I got massege like on attached screenshot. Time to time I need to update some books created years ago and almost every photo in these books is drom different folder. First I fased this issue several years ago and now expect this regulary.

A

Aleke

Community Manager

Hi @Ivan T.! Could you let us know which version of Lightroom Classic you’re using? If you haven’t already, please check whether the same behavior happens after updating to the latest version. Are all the affected images stored on the same drive? If so, it might be worth checking the connection by trying a different cable or USB port.
Thanks so much!
Alek

*(If you mention me with an @, like @Aleke, I’ll get a notification and can respond faster.)*

Sign up

To post, reply, or follow discussions, please sign in with your Adobe ID.

Sign in to Adobe Community

To post, reply, or follow discussions, please sign in with your Adobe ID.

Scanning file for viruses.

This file cannot be downloaded