Folders missing from Library

Question

When I open lightroom I can only see folders from 2025. The older folders and photos are still there (ie visible on Explorer) and also there on the  backups, but I can't find a way to get Lightroom to display the folders on the pc's hard drive (D:).  Lightroom displays the folders of the  backup hard drive.  I have tried to produce a new catalogue but I am now afraid I may have done more harm than good as one of the backups is now only showing part of its content.  I tried to find all missing files and it produced a list of 80,000 or so but these were just in a single slab without folders so that's not super useful.  I don't know what to try next - any guidance please.  Windows 11 with latest updates on LR.

F. McLion · Accepted Answer

Lightroom only shows folders from which photos have been imported - It is not like a file explorer.

If you start with a new catalog, all your work done will not be there anymore - usually not a good plan.

I'd stick with the original catalog and synchronize folders, which will import missing folders and photos.

dj_paige · Answer

When I open lightroom I can only see folders from 2025. The older folders and photos are still there (ie visible on Explorer) and also there on the backups, What does this mean? "...also there on the backups"? Backups of the catalog? Backups of the photos? Something else? Are you talking about Lightroom (Lr icon) or Lightroom Classic (LrC icon)?

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