Develop module not opening files...

Question

Running Lightroom Classic on Windows 11. I have not had any issues previously with this setup previously.

The issue only appears to happen on images taken earlier than 2025. I have been running the same hardware, cameras etc for the last couple of years. I'm not sure if this is related to a recent Lightroom update. I haven't tried to edit any photos from earlier than 2025 for a number of months.

When trying to open files in the Develop module, when hovering the mouse over the 3 dots above each thumbnail it shows "Loading". Clicking on the image does not open the file into the module. My files are all saved as Original + Smart Preview. I assume it is the Smart Preview that I can "open" in the Library module.

If I right click on the image and "Go to file in library", the file is in the expected folder.

If I "Show in Explorer", the file and associated XMP are in the expected location. I can then open the file with original edits in Camera Raw / Photoshop. This indicates the files are not corrupted.

I've uninstalled and reinstalled Lightroom (latest version from Creative Cloud account and updated Nvidia RTX 3050 GPU driver.

Can anyone assist?

Thanks.

dj_paige · Accepted Answer

Try this on one or two of the photos which have this problem. Select them in the Library Module grid view, then use the menu command Library->Previews->Build 1:1 Previews. Does the problem go away?

If this helps, you can select all of the photos affected and then do this for all of these photos before you go to bed (it will probably take a few hours).

Sameer K · Answer

Hey, @Cameron22840111dflv. Welcome to the Lightroom Community. I'll need more info to help you figure this out. Please share the system info from Lightroom from Help > System info > Copy and paste into a text document > Upload and attach here.

Where do you keep your Lightroom Classic Catalog? On the internal drive, or an external drive?

As primary steps, try this:

Unplug additional displays & use only the default.
Go to Lightroom > Edit > Preferences > Performance > Use Graphics Processor > Set it to Off if it is on Custom or Auto. If this shows you any differences, please check this article to troubleshoot further: https://adobe.ly/3uYiJo4

Let me know how it goes.

Thanks!
Sameer K

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

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