Skip to main content
SteveRuddy
SteveRuddy
Known Participant
July 21, 2014
Answered

Error Message Server Busy During Startup

  • July 21, 2014
  • 33 replies
  • 70164 views

During LR startup I get a Server Busy Window that says

This action cannot be completed because the other program is busy. Choose switch to to activate the busy program and correct the problem.

This does correct the problem but why is this necessary and how to I get rid of the error during start up?

    Correct answer photoguy815

    A fix to Lightroom's “Server Busy Error” on a Windows 7 64 bit computer:

    I see in the discussion threads there are a LOT of frustrated people over this Server Busy issue, so I hope this helps someone. This is what Adobe tech support had me do, which fixed my problem. I got through on the phone right away, and the fix took no longer than 20 minutes to determine, with the support person remoting into my computer.

    • I already had Lightroom 5.6 installed through my Creative Cloud subscription, and it had worked for a few weeks for me, although with increasing problems with the Server Busy box popping up. I was able to get rid of it by switching to Switch and Retry, but eventually it locked me out entirely.
    • Tech Support told me the problem was a permissions issue.
    • Try the following and see if it solves your problem:
      • In C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe, find the SL Cache folder and move it to your Desktop.
      • In C:\ProgramData\Adobe, find the SL Store folder and move it to your Desktop.
      • R Click on your Lightroom icon and “Run as Administrator”.
      • If it opens correctly, that shows it is working now.
      • Close Lightroom and reopen the application normally.

    At this point I was good to go again. 9/17/14

    33 replies

    H
    Harbans23563063btlu
    Participant
    March 13, 2022

    Unable to Check for 21 Case(s).
    servermaybebusy

    W
    Wallace Kaufman
    Participant
    December 14, 2019

    I have LR on disk. Had the same message stymying me every time. I simply right clicked the icon, chose run as administrator and it worked.

     

    D
    dianar40294716
    Participant
    February 1, 2018

    We are not using Lightroom and still getting the same error?

    BartonGarrett256
    BartonGarrett256
    Inspiring
    February 1, 2018

    I'm not understanding your question.  I'm fairly certain you can get rid of the error by spinning your hard drives at all times.  I won't do that, I want them to last, so they sleep when not in use. I simply grumble through the error when it arises, which is constantly.

    T
    tomleparskas
    Participant
    December 17, 2016

    So it's already Dec 2016 and I am LR 6.6.1 standalone and people are still getting server not ready errors!!!! It is happening to me again this week. Just went through  a major Windows10 update it seems too. Wonder if they are connected??

    I have LR installed on an SSD and catalog on a HDD. Running 16 gig RAM so what's going on?

    Adobe has never chimed in here in years - so can they even be working on this or acknowlege it's happening?

    BartonGarrett256
    BartonGarrett256
    Inspiring
    December 17, 2016

    Someone posted an observation that if a bug isn't fixed within a year of it's birth it won't ever be fixed.  All of the staff are working on pop up adverts for Adobe Stock I guess.  That's 90% GM business.  Lr is the stepchild... Apple threw in the towel, no one is threatening so don't expect much, this is capitalism at it finest.

    Y
    youthful_Melody6C14
    Participant
    September 22, 2016

    Didn't solve my problem at all. Adobe support is pretty freaking useless. Wish I knew why I bother paying for this crappy software.

    J
    jeffc40386129
    Participating Frequently
    August 14, 2016

    I found a new solution to this problem. I do IT support for a software company and know that if a problem like this isn't fixed in a month, much less 2+ years, that the company isn't working on a solution. I started having this problem last week (Windows 7, Lightroom 5.7, 64 bit) and tried everything suggested with no luck. I needed to find a replacement for Lightroom, and my first choice was ON1 Photo 10. I downloaded and installed the 30-day trial. After the install a pop-up window said that ON1 had installed plugins to Lightroom. This made me curious. So, without launching ON1, I launched Lightroom (not as an administrator), and it opened perfectly. It has opened normally several times for the past two days. Give it a try.

    Have Fun,

    Jeff

    UPDATE - Nevermind. Lightroom launches fine, but when I clicked on the Develop button, the Server Error pop-up showed up again. Now I'm off to try ON1.

    BartonGarrett256
    BartonGarrett256
    Inspiring
    August 15, 2016

    Thanks Jeff, I appreciate the suggestion.  I have on1 but have not used it lately.  I am a video editor/videographer and for now I'm all Adobe.  My error went away once but always comes back.  My suspicion is it is looking for a spinning drive and I'm getting what is a time out error until it comes up to speed.  My C is an SSD, but stills are on their own 7200 rpm drive.  I just have to paw the return button for ten seconds or so and it resolves. It's just annoying.

    I assume Lr is sitting at the kids table, Adobe is big and needs constant exponential growth, Lr ain't it, the shiny products get the attention.  That said when it works I prefer the develop module much more than Ps.

    good luck.  I'd be reluctant to put all my stuff in someone's basket if I don't know how solid the company is.  Too much work to migrate for me.

    ngrandison
    ngrandison
    Participant
    January 17, 2017

    You may well be right. I recently bought an MSI gaming laptop specifically to provide a fast platform for LR6 and like you installed the program on the SSD C drive and the data on a large HDD. LR is now completely unusable making a £3k hardware investment useless. I have another LR6 licence on my old sony vaio which works fine but slower. I haven't tried changing the hard drive sleep settings yet - haven't plucked up the courage. None of the following work:

    • renaming the SLCache etc folders [that just forces a repeat registration]
    • disconnecting my USB backup drive
    • removing camera cards from my Lexar workflow holder
    • imprecation/prayer
    BartonGarrett256
    BartonGarrett256
    Inspiring
    July 27, 2016

    Well I have had this error for a year or so and finally decided to try and fix it with this recommendation.

    not only did it not work now most of my apps lock up, files are missing and I can't even open the CC app.  I can't even uninstall In Design.  It looks like I'm going to have to wipe my entire suite of Adobe apps, which means plug in hell in Pr and Ae.  Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. This is going to cost me a couple of days to fix.  At least. 

    Dont do it unless you understand exactly what you are doing.  Epic fail, Adobe strikes again.

      marting1966
      marting1966
      Participant
      March 23, 2016

      Didn't work for me

      G
      Gilderod
      Participating Frequently
      January 26, 2016

      Thank you for your assistance.

      I moved the SL Cache to desktop initially and nothing happened.  I moved it back, rebooted, and I noticed a quick message that the Site License had registered.  So, the fix must involve moving the SL Cache and rebooting.  And, yes I did get the latest version once I was able to get it up and running again.

      Thank you.  You are big help. 

      P
      PJ_Traveler
      Participating Frequently
      November 23, 2015

      I did the suggtested, and then it wanted my serial numbers again.  I put in the serial numbers and now I have the problem again !

      Show more replies
      Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
      Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices