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hughes_nz
hughes_nz
Participant
November 22, 2020
Answered

Lightroom Classic won't launch

  • November 22, 2020
  • 17 replies
  • 67771 views

I can't get Lightroom Classic to launch. When I try to I get spinning wheel while the computer thinks about it for a second then nothing happens, but Lightroom Classic shows up as a Background Process in Task Manager. This only happens with Lightroom Classic, I also have Photoshop and Lightroom (not classic) and both of those work with no issue. I have tried un-installing + reinstalling including using Adobe Creative Cloud Cleaner but always with the same result (everything except Lightroom Classic works). Is anyone able to help or experienced something similar? Details below.

 

Creative Cloud 5.3.1.470

Lightroom Classic 10.0

Windows 10 Pro Version 20H2

 

    Correct answer Todd Shaner

    You may have a corrupt Preferences file, which does not get deleted during an uninstall. Close the Lightroom Classic instance in task manager and then hold down the ALT and SHIFT keys and click on the LrC shortcut. When prompted, click Yes to reset Preferences.

     

    EDIT: I forgot to add that the Reset Preferences prompt is a small dialogue box, which may be hidden behind other windows. If you don't see it, try minimizing or closing all other open windows.

    17 replies

    Show previous replies
    D
    Dave26399078kkgf
    Participant
    October 4, 2022

    I have the same problem as descripted by hughes_nz, but the solution does not work.  I've restored my computer from a backup to before Windows 10 20H2 and Lightroom classic works fine.  Do have another suggestion?

    HELP!

     

    V
    Vic-86
    Known Participant
    October 4, 2022

    The only solution I have for this is to start Task Manager and end Adobe Lightroom, which for some reason is still running in spite of being closed.

    Fortunately this has been happening less often.

    Win 10 on NUC w/Intel I-7, 32G RAM, M2 SSD, Current Lr & Ps
    D
    Dave26399078kkgf
    Participant
    October 4, 2022
    Thanks for the fast reply, but there is no sign of Lightroom Classic
    running in the background with Task Manager.

    Again, Lightroom Classic is running fine when I uninstalled the
    latest window 10 update 20H2.

    I've done this 4 times.

    Any other ideas?
    Ted Abundant
    Ted Abundant
    Participating Frequently
    June 8, 2022

    I have found the solution for me. I am unable to open via the usual file program link so each time I have to open the program via the catalog .lrcat file. I just created a shortcut and placed it on my desktop so that it now works when I open that file. I tried uninstalling and remove files etc, even had an Adobe tech spend over 1 hour working on it and that is the best solution. 

     

    Example Location
    1. Find "C:\Users\me\OneDrive\Pictures\Lightroom\Lightroom CatalogNEW\Lightroom CatalogNEW-v10.lrcat" 

    2. Right click and "create shortcut"

    3. Move file to desktop and rename as LIGHTROOM.

    4. Open new file to run Lightroom.

     

      C
      ChevyDK
      Participant
      June 8, 2022

      Same here. I hope this will get fixes in a coming update!

      H
      Holbrook PC
      Participant
      August 5, 2022

      I am having this same issue and have tried all the various suggestions to no avail.  

      All Windows 11 updates completed, Preferences reset, ACC up to date, LrC 11.4.1.

      Any other ideas?

        L
        Lingaloo
        Participating Frequently
        May 19, 2022

        Hello I have a similar thing. I click on Lightroom classic shortcut and nothing happens. I've ended task in taskmaster and then tried shift and alt but no preference box appears. Needing help! Have a job to deliver by tommorrow. Thanks

         

        R
        robertpbrisbane
        Participating Frequently
        May 19, 2022
        Hi,

        Look in your lightroom folder for the latest catalogue and double click on
        that. That's what I have to do now to open Lightroom.
          C
          ChevyDK
          Participant
          June 2, 2022

          Me too, and its damn anoying

          R
          robertpbrisbane
          Participating Frequently
          November 23, 2021

          Hi, I am having the same issues as hughs_nz, but I am on the latrest version. None of the suggested fixes below worked for me. I have signed in and out, uninstalled and reinstalled with no success. It all worked fine last week but today...very frustrating. I am using windows 10 PC.

            L
            lloydy110
            Participant
            March 4, 2022

            Did you get it to work in the end?

            GoldingD
            GoldingD
            Legend
            November 22, 2020

            2. Odd communication issue

             

            Bring up your copy of Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop App. Sign out, sign in.

             

            GoldingD
            GoldingD
            Legend
            November 22, 2020

            1. Lock file

            https://helpx.adobe.com/lightroom-classic/kb/lightroom-error-catalog-cannot-be-opened-lrcat-lock.html

             

             

             

              Todd Shaner
              Todd ShanerCorrect answer
              Legend
              November 22, 2020

              You may have a corrupt Preferences file, which does not get deleted during an uninstall. Close the Lightroom Classic instance in task manager and then hold down the ALT and SHIFT keys and click on the LrC shortcut. When prompted, click Yes to reset Preferences.

               

              EDIT: I forgot to add that the Reset Preferences prompt is a small dialogue box, which may be hidden behind other windows. If you don't see it, try minimizing or closing all other open windows.

                hughes_nz
                hughes_nzAuthor
                Participant
                November 24, 2020

                This worked perfectly, thank you very much!

                Todd Shaner
                Todd Shaner
                Legend
                November 24, 2020

                Glad to hear that worked. To get LrC back to the previous state you'll need to re-enter any changes you had made to LrC Preferences and reinstall any plugins you were using.

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