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Participant
January 15, 2014
Answered

Lightroom 5.3 (Perpetual) won't import my photos

  • January 15, 2014
  • 22 replies
  • 148017 views

I'm using 5.3 with OS 10.8.5. Out of the blue I cannot import photos. I've experienced two things: at first the application would seemingly hang-up indefinitely as if were going to import, but nothing happened. I tried importing everything on the card (100~ images) and just one photo. Now I'm getting the following message:

 

The following files were not imported because they could not be read. (1)

 

I've restarted my computer, tried running only LIghtroom, etc. Thanks for your help.

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer DanSing

I ended up copying the files from my CD card to my computer and then importing them successfully into LR. Not a good solution, but at least it worked!

22 replies

Participant
December 22, 2015

I also had this issue with LR 6.3 / CC hanging or not importing all of my NEF photos -- either from my camera or from the HD.  As mentioned by other posters, the fix is to remove any movie files from the directory being imported.

January 12, 2016

In 6.3 there is an issue with the video plugin that is causing this.  Updating the plugin using the replacement in this link fixed it for me.

Error "Sequencer defunct" when using video file related functions

dustinr2137357
Participating Frequently
November 22, 2015

I'm having the exact same problem. The program just hangs.

ManiacJoe
Inspiring
November 22, 2015

If LR is hanging, you are having a very different problem than this thread describes.

Please start a new thread and include lots and lots of details.

dustinr2137357
Participating Frequently
November 22, 2015

Okay. Thanks.

Participating Frequently
November 17, 2015

Yesterday I upgraded my OS from Win 7 Professional to Windows 10.  Today, when I tried to import raw photos from today's shoot, I got the subject response.  I tried several things, but then realized that the error message was pointing to the target, not the SD card.  When I looked into the Destination Folders on the right, it was pointing to C:\Users, not C:\Users\John\Pictures.  Once I changed the destination, it worked OK.  I do not know if it will remember my choice, but worked this time.

Dr. PC

patriciasb
Participant
October 17, 2015

Same here.  Lightroom CC on my Macbook Pro.  Although it may have been a coincidence, all was well until I installed the Lightroom app on my Android and iPad in order to sync photos. Regardless, in attempting to import from a card or from the desktop, 1.) an entirely new screen unlike the standard Lightroom window pops up with options to "Add photos from a source," as shown below 2.) no option is given as to where (which folder) to import these photos to in Lightroom, 3.) some or none of the files will "Copy and Import" randomly to a random, unselected folder, 4.) importing will get hung up indefinitely, and 5.) "An internal error has occurred. assertion failed!" may or may not appear, as shown below.  I have uninstalled the apps on my phone and iPad as well as rebooted numerous times without any successful outcome.  Any revelations out there???  Frustrating!!!

jazmineh42447949
Participant
October 19, 2015

I'm having the same problem! I hope someone who knows how to correct this error response soon.

Participating Frequently
October 19, 2015

This just happened to me as well with the recent update and switch back to old import.

I was able to get import to work with closing Lightroom, unplugging and and replugging my card reader and restarting Lightroom.

Hope this works for you.

Participant
September 25, 2015

What's worked for me thus far has been to drag and drop files from the origin folder directly into LR.

Participant
October 2, 2015

Thanks, that worked for me too.  And while it's not the greatest solution (which would be for Adobe to get the thumb out), I can at least get my work done.

LR 5.6 on Windows 7 64-bit

Inspiring
August 31, 2015

I ran into this same issue last night.

I was able to resolve it by restarting my computer.

Here's how I was able to create the issue.

I was previously using Lightroom 5.7 on OSX 10.10.5

I had recently upgraded to Lightroom CC.

I launched Lightroom from my dock expecting CC, but 5.7 launched, so I launched CC - I'm guessing it was the first time I had launched Lightroom CC.

I closed down 5.7 and started to work in CC, but ran into the import issue when I tried to import from an external Lacie drive via Thunderbolt.

I closed down CC, then restarted my computer.

This time I launched Lightroom CC without touching 5.7

It worked for me, hopefully someone else will find this useful.

Participant
August 21, 2015

It would appear the Adobe and Microsoft are trying to see which can embed the stupidest errors in its software.

If there are any movies present in the folder from which images are to be imported no images are shown in grid view even though the individual images may be viewed in the import window. The actual import process won't even start. To solve this problem simply move the movies elsewhere so they are not part of the import and the process will proceed normally.

Inspiring
August 15, 2014

I am also having the problem.  Lightroom 5.3 on Mac running Mavericks.  Can't sync folder, can't import.  Lightroom appears to be importing or syncing, but hangs at end.  Even when just adding to lightroom - not moving or anything.  Have to quite the import and restart to get the option.  THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE I PURCHASED LIGHTROOM 5 from Creative Cloud almost a year ago, I've asked for help in forums off an on for months...yet Adobe has not addressed my problem.  Time to make some phone calls....

DdeGannes
Community Expert
Community Expert
August 15, 2014

Quote "Lightroom 5.3 on Mac running Mavericks."

Lightroom is now at version 5.6 and there have been many bugs fixed since 5.3. You could try updating. Also Mavericks had some bugs that were fixed with updates make sure you updated to the latest version (OS X 10.9.4), including iTunes (V 11.3.1)

Regards, Denis: iMac 27” mid-2015, macOS 11.7.10 Big Sur; 2TB SSD, 24 GB Ram, GPU 2 GB; LrC 12.5,; Lr 6.5, PS 24.7,; ACR 15.5,; (also Laptop Win 11, ver 24H2, LrC 15.0.1, PS 27.0; ) Camera Oly OM-D E-M1.
Inspiring
August 15, 2014

Thanks DdeGannes,

I tried updating to 5.6.  It didn't fix it.    I tried repairing permissions on the drive where the Lightroom catalog and images are stored.  Didn't fix it.   I did get it to work in Safe Mode, so perhaps there's a software conflict somewhere or perhaps the problem temporarily went away as it often does.    This has been an intermittent problem for quite a while and last night was the worst it's ever been.   I'm hoping the problem doesn't come back.   If it does come back... and I'm guessing it will... I'll try resetting Lightroom preferences.  I am using OS X 10.9.4 and Itunes V.11.3.1.

Participant
January 20, 2014

I have the same problem importing in to Lightroom 5.3. Get the message images were not imported because they could not be read. It shows the previews and then looks like it is importing but gets stuck forever in the import screen, no images show up there. It happened in early January for no reason I can figure out just out of the blue, worked fine in December! I have Mac 27 " desktop running OS x 10.7.5. I have tried deleting preference file. The only way I can import is to get the images in to a folder through another avenue. I used Adobe DNG converter, put files on an external hardrive, then imported without moving just added to catalog, this works but is a real pain. I am using Canon 5D and a Promaster card reader.  I also have a Mac Book Pro running 10.8.5 with Lightoom 5.3 and do NOT have this problem using same card reader, same CF Card and same images!

Any helpful remedies would be appreciated!

DanSingAuthor
Participant
January 24, 2014

Today I successfully imported photos without any of the problems I was encountering a week ago and described above. I don't know if I did anything to resolve the problem; if I did, it was unknowingly. 

Participant
January 16, 2014

Hi, I just started having this issue also using Lightroom 5.3 with Windows 7. Have tried different cards and a different card reader. I use the Copy selection, in fact that is the only available option when using a card on my screen. My prompt states that Lightroom has stopped working and that Windows will try to find a solution, later a new box states that Windows will close the program and notify if a solution is available. Have to hit the close button because Windows never is able to close the program itself.

If I download from the card reader with Adobe Bridge and add to the hard drive and then import with Lightroom it worked but that is not an ideal work flow for me. Looking back at the dates of imports it looks like it began 1/10/14 or 1/12/14 on my set up.  I don't know how to check the permissions as Geoff suggests. Glad to know others are having similar problems so will use the work around until a solution is suggested.

Thanks!