Skip to main content
Eccentric_Sunshine44f3
Participating Frequently
Oct 27, 2026 5:43 PM UTC
Answered

Including an old catalogue from LR6.14 in LRC (15.6)!

I asked a question in another thread yesterday and got information on how to proceed to ask it again so here goes with all the background.

 

I am trying to import an old Lightroom 6.14 catalog into my current Lightroom Classic 15.6 catalog using File → Import from Another Catalog, but the import fails during the required catalog upgrade.

System Info

Attached.

 

Steps to Reproduce

  1. Open my current Lightroom Classic 15.6 catalog.
  2. Select File → Import from Another Catalog.
  3. Choose the Lightroom 6.14 catalog "Lightroom Catalog est 20190131.lrcat".
  4. Lightroom requests a catalog upgrade.
  5. Click Start Background Upgrade.

 

Expected Result

The catalog should be upgraded and imported into my current catalog.

 

Actual Result

The upgrade fails and Lightroom displays the message:

"Sorry, Lightroom was unable to upgrade the catalog 'Lightroom Catalog est 20190131' and cannot be imported from. You can try to upgrade the catalog by opening it in Lightroom 7"

 

Additional Information

  • The catalog opens successfully in Lightroom 6.14.
  • The catalog contains approximately 45,000 photos.
  • My current catalog contains approximately 7,000 photos.
  • Screenshots and System Info are attached.

Any suggestions on how to upgrade or import this catalog would be appreciated.

Thanks.

    AxelMattCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    Oct 27, 2026 6:12 PM UTC

    The was an issue in Lightroom Classic during opening and converting of catalogs from Lightroom 6 (perpetual license). But normally this issue should be solved since version 14.6 (I think).

    But several users are reported that they still have this issue.

    In this case you have to a intermediate step and install Lightroom Classic 13.2 and convert your LR 6 catalog. Then you can install 15.6 and convert the catalog again.

    For getting the 13.2 version of Lightroom you have to contact the Adobe support via chat.Type “agent” to get a real employee. Explain that you need version 13.2 and they will send you the proper link. It’s possibel that you may have to contact them several times to find an agent that understands and knows how to send you the proper link.

      

    My System: Intel i7-8700K - 64GB RAM - NVidia Geforce RTX 3060 - Windows 11 Pro 26H2 -- LR-Classic 15 - Photoshop 27 - Nik Collection 9 - PureRAW 6 - Topaz Photo AI
    View reply

    5 replies

    Community Expert
    AxelMattCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    Oct 27, 2026 6:12 PM UTC

    The was an issue in Lightroom Classic during opening and converting of catalogs from Lightroom 6 (perpetual license). But normally this issue should be solved since version 14.6 (I think).

    But several users are reported that they still have this issue.

    In this case you have to a intermediate step and install Lightroom Classic 13.2 and convert your LR 6 catalog. Then you can install 15.6 and convert the catalog again.

    For getting the 13.2 version of Lightroom you have to contact the Adobe support via chat.Type “agent” to get a real employee. Explain that you need version 13.2 and they will send you the proper link. It’s possibel that you may have to contact them several times to find an agent that understands and knows how to send you the proper link.

      

    Translate
    My System: Intel i7-8700K - 64GB RAM - NVidia Geforce RTX 3060 - Windows 11 Pro 26H2 -- LR-Classic 15 - Photoshop 27 - Nik Collection 9 - PureRAW 6 - Topaz Photo AI
      Eccentric_Sunshine44f3Author
      Participating Frequently
      Oct 27, 2026 7:43 PM UTC

      Thanks, doing just that. Got disconnected from the ongoing chat (where I spent som 20 minutes) but will try again tomorrow.

       

      Translate
      Eccentric_Sunshine44f3Author
      Participating Frequently
      Oct 28, 2026 7:36 AM UTC

      Got a link to 13.0 sent out and now it works.

      Thanks a million

      Translate
      JohanElzenga
      Community Expert
      JohanElzengaCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      Oct 27, 2026 5:57 PM UTC

      Why start a new thread? Did you follow the advice in the error message and try to open that old catalog in Lightroom Classic 15.6 directly, rather than importing it into an existing catalog? Or was that already discussed in the other thread?

      Translate
      -- Johan W. Elzenga
      Eccentric_Sunshine44f3Author
      Participating Frequently
      Oct 27, 2026 7:09 PM UTC

      Yes I did and got the advise to start at new thread.

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