Skip to main content
_
_Harry_R_Matthews_
Participant
October 22, 2008
Answered

Lightroom catalog cannot be opened because another application already has it opened

  • October 22, 2008
  • 41 replies
  • 123396 views
    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer _DW_Harrison_
    Try looking into whatever directory your catalog is in and deleting the ".lock" file with the same name as your catalog.

    41 replies

    Show previous replies
    JP Hess
    JP Hess
    Inspiring
    June 23, 2020

    The lock file is going to be regenerated every time you open Lightroom. However, when LrC closes properly that file will automatically be deleted. It has to be there because it's part of the database engine that drives the catalog. Are you saying that you still cannot open Lightroom Classic?

    S
    SrryBud
    Participating Frequently
    June 23, 2020

    I am having the very same issue and have followed the instruction as given, but upon deleting and reopening Lightroom Classic the LOCK file reappears leaving me unable to open LR. So what would I do to either unlock it or make it go away permanently? Also I tried reinstalling LR with no succes nonetheless.

    dj_paige
    dj_paige
    Legend
    June 23, 2020

    Yes, when you open Lightroom Classic, a .LOCK file is created, and normally it goes away when you close Lightroom Classic. So under normal operation, you don't have to worry about this. Only when Lightroom crashes or the computer crashes do you have the problem where Lightroom can't open because the .LOCK file didn't get deleted, and then manually deleting the .LOCK file is the solution.

    S
    SrryBud
    Participating Frequently
    June 23, 2020

    Thank you, that I understood, but what's happening to me is: I start LrC the message appears and the LOCK file appears. I close LrC it disappears leaving me no choice but to delete the LOCK file while LrC is running. So I do that but then when I try starting LrC again the Lock file reappears leaving me at the start of the process. So how do I do this properly?

    D
    david_t_21
    Participant
    May 26, 2020

    Thank you so much!!

    joenancym
    joenancym
    Participant
    May 21, 2020

    This worked for me. Thank you.

    edagustin
    edagustin
    Participant
    April 5, 2020

    Oh my God, THANK YOU!!! This worked for me! I sincerely appreciate this information as I was in total freak-out mode! Thanks again!

    HeatherPowellPhotographer
    HeatherPowellPhotographer
    Participant
    March 26, 2020

    Brilliant! That worked. 

    teris80629004
    teris80629004
    Participant
    March 2, 2020

    THANK YOUUUUUUUU!!!!!!!!   Omg   I was geeking out!!!!   You are the best    💗💗💗

    D
    daveg77118272
    Known Participant
    December 9, 2019

    Thank you!

    V
    VironX
    Participating Frequently
    November 22, 2019

    I have the same problem, I just deleted the .lock file but it got even worse. My LR was able to run though it only showed me the "cannot open catalog" window, but I couldn't even open it after I removed the .lock file, and it just popped up the window which read "Adobe Photoshop Lightroom has stopped working". Then I put the .lock file back, and it went back to the initial "cannot open catalog" window. Did I miss any steps?

    Patricio Murphy
    Patricio Murphy
    Inspiring
    November 22, 2019

    In theory it should work with you just deleting the .lock file (and ONLY the lock file), it does for me. I'm puzzled because I've been using Lightroom for years and never ever had this issue, now I have to remove the bloody .lock file evry time I use the thing! Can't believe Adobe doesn't fix this.

    R
    rodrigop15362291
    Participant
    January 7, 2018

    It worked for me too, thank so much for you help!

    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