Skip to main content
C
Carmen Ray
Known Participant
February 1, 2025
Question

Lightroom automatically changed my export file format

  • February 1, 2025
  • 1 reply
  • 562 views

I suddenly started seeing foxes on my image files and thought my laptop may have a virus. Upon investigation, I discovered that these are JXL files meant for GIMP!!!

 

Lightroom automatically changed my export file format from JPEG to JXL!

When I contacted Adobe Support, the agent told me that they have dealt with several such cases.

 

I use the latest versions of both Windows 11 and Lightroom.

 

[Moved from ‘Bugs’ to ‘Discussions’ by moderator, according to forum rules.]

1 reply

Per Berntsen
Community Expert
Per BerntsenCommunity Expert
Community Expert
February 1, 2025

Do yourself a favor, and set Windows to show file extensions. Enable file extensions in the File explorer, and uncheck the option Hide extensions for known file types in Folder options.

Then you'll discover it right away if you have accidentally exported in the wrong format.

 

The JXL format is not meant for Gimp, my guess is that you installed Gimp, and it took over the file association.

Imaging software often takes over file associations when installing.

LrC uses JXL compression when creating enhanced DNG files, see https://community.adobe.com/t5/lightroom-classic-discussions/p-regarding-jxl-compression-in-derived-merge-enhance-dng-images/m-p/14148458#M338176

 

I doubt that LrC changed the export format to JXL by itself, but if it happens again, try resetting the preferences. Method 3 on this page is the simplest way to do it.

https://helpx.adobe.com/lightroom-classic/help/reset-preferences.html

 

 

C
Carmen RayAuthor
Known Participant
February 1, 2025

Thank you. I'll see if I can enable the file extension view as you suggest.

When I contacted Adobe for assistance they said I was one of many people reporting this issue. I wish that Adobe would take it on board. 

Per Berntsen
Community Expert
Per BerntsenCommunity Expert
Community Expert
February 1, 2025

I spend a lot of time on this forum, and have never seen posts about LrC changing the export format by itself.

I also did a forum search as well as a Google search, and nothing came up.

So what Adobe support told you seems to be incorrect.

The most likely explanations are either that you accidentally changed the format yourself, or that the preferences are corrupted and need to be reset.

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