Lightroom Classic 15.6 – AI model download stuck at 68% when applying any preset

System information

• Adobe Lightroom Classic 15.6

• Adobe Camera Raw 18.7

• Windows 11 Home (Build 26200)

• 32 GB RAM

• 16 GB GPU memory

Problem description

Since updating to Lightroom Classic 15.6, I am unable to apply any Develop Presets.

Whenever I click on a preset, Lightroom attempts to download AI models. The download consistently stops at exactly 68% and never progresses. Eventually, Lightroom displays the following error message:

"Some AI models could not be downloaded. Please try again later."

The issue affects all presets, including Adobe presets, existing custom presets, and newly created presets.

Interestingly, the preset preview works correctly when hovering over a preset with the mouse. However, clicking on the preset does not apply any adjustments.

Reproduction test

To eliminate the possibility of an AI-related preset causing the problem, I performed the following test:

1. Selected a photograph in the Develop module.

2. Changed Exposure to +1.00.

3. Created a new preset containing only the Exposure adjustment, with all other settings disabled.

4. Reset Exposure to 0.00.

5. Attempted to apply the newly created preset.

Result: The same AI model download was triggered and stopped at 68%. Exposure remained at 0.00.

This is particularly surprising because a simple exposure adjustment should not require any AI models.

Troubleshooting already performed

• Confirmed that Lightroom Classic is fully updated.

• Restarted Lightroom with administrator privileges.

• Reset the local AI model cache.

• Signed out of Adobe Creative Cloud and signed back in.

• Tested downloading via two independent internet connections (LAN and mobile USB tethering).

• Reset Lightroom Classic preferences to factory defaults.

• Verified that AI-powered Subject Selection in the Masking panel works correctly.

None of these steps resolved the issue.

The download consistently stops at 68%, regardless of the internet connection or Lightroom preferences.

Additional observations

The issue was first noticed on October 31, 2026. Presets had not been used since the installation of Lightroom Classic 15.6, so I cannot confirm exactly when the problem started.

All presets worked correctly before the update.

Other users have apparently reported similar issues with Lightroom Classic 15.6, including AI model downloads stopping at approximately 68–70%.

Questions for Adobe

1. Is this a known issue in Lightroom Classic 15.6?

2. Why does applying a simple, non-AI Develop Preset trigger an AI model download?

3. Is there a workaround or a fix planned for an upcoming update?

I would appreciate any assistance. I can provide additional diagnostic information or logs if required.

Thank you.