Error message: Lightroom cannot use the catalog named Lightroom 6 as it is not writable and cannot be opened

Forum|Forum|8 years ago
April 6, 2017
3 replies
8096 views

I am using LR6 on a PC and this morning I cannot open LR6 - I am getting the following message - "Lightroom cannot use the catalog named "Lightroom 6" as it is not writable and cannot be opened". I have checked forums and checked that I have read and write permissions and I have also checked my LR folder to make sure that there is not a lrcat.lock file preventing the opening of LR.

Any suggestions what to do next please?

lr6 error

Correct answer Just Shoot Me

Does LR fail to open completely or is it creating a new catalog. If it is creating a new catalog where is that catalog stored?

Check the Top Level, ROOT, folder for the proper permissions. Could be that Top Level folder had it permissions changed so even though the folder that holds the catalog file has the correct permissions if the folder or folders above it are restricted it will stop access to the lower subfolders.

bobd44245196

Participant

I had the same problem when I bought a new computer. I kept getting the same (it's not writable) error message when trying to open the lrcat file I moved from my previous computer. I turns out I was double clicking on the most recent lrcat file from my Backups folder. If you're confused about which named file to click, it's the largest sized file (e.g., my lrcat file was 4,000,000 KB). Mine was called "Lightroom Catalog-v12" (with blue LR icon), and never showed the lrcat extension (which can make it confusing, because everyone says to look for the file with the "lrcat" extension). The correct file to double click has NEVER shown that extension in the 20 years I've used Lightroom. Anyhow, hope this helps.

Rikk Flohr_Photography

Community Manager

You’ve posted to an ancient thread. It is highly unlikely that the issue described in this thread, though not impossible, is the same one you are currently experiencing. Rather than resurrect an old thread that is seemingly similar, you are better off posting to a new thread with fresh, complete information, including system information, a complete description of the problem, and step-by-step instructions for reproduction.

If the issue is the same, we will merge you back into the appropriate location.   This thread will be locked.

Thank you!

Rikk Flohr: Adobe Photography Org

K

Kristy5C08

Participant

I had the same problem when restoring a Lightroom catalog from a back-up to a new computer.

I found that there's a "read only" option in the properties section that had gotten checked. Right click on your lightroom catalog. Click on "Properties." On the General tab look at the very bottom. Uncheck "read-only." I had to do the same for all supporting files in my Lightroom folder (helper, previews, etc).

R

Rebecca Sharp

Participant

This tip was a lifesaver! The mild annoyance of having to untick 'read only' for every Lightroom folder was nothing compared to losing my edits. Thank you so much!!

Just Shoot MeCorrect answer

Legend

Does LR fail to open completely or is it creating a new catalog. If it is creating a new catalog where is that catalog stored?

Check the Top Level, ROOT, folder for the proper permissions. Could be that Top Level folder had it permissions changed so even though the folder that holds the catalog file has the correct permissions if the folder or folders above it are restricted it will stop access to the lower subfolders.