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jdelage
Participant
October 4, 2025
Answered

Lightroom Import can't see any pic on my MacBook

  • October 4, 2025
  • 3 replies
  • 437 views

Lightroom Classic 14.5.1 [202508231203-c2638d01] on macOS 15.6.1 (Sequoia), MacBook Pro 16" (M3 Pro).

As of yesterday, Lightroom Classic’s Import tool cannot see or import any photos anywhere on my Mac. The main Library module works fine — I can view and edit photos that are already in my catalog — but the Import grid is always blank no matter what source I select (camera, SD card, or folders on disk).

Details:

  • Worked normally 3 days ago: successfully imported RAF+JPG from my Fuji X100VI.

  • Yesterday: Import grid completely blank when pointing to the camera, SD card, or any folder.

  • Even when I point Import to ~/Pictures or to the Lightroom Classic library folder itself, grid remains blank.

  • Finder and Preview both open JPG and RAF files without issue.

  • Lightroom Library module still functions: I can browse, edit, and export existing photos. Only Import is broken.

  • Tried with a new catalog → same result.

  • Tried with copied JPGs in a new folder on disk → still blank grid.

  • Tried dragging a JPG into the Library grid → triggers Import dialog but still blank.

  • Permissions checked: Lightroom has Full Disk Access and Removable Volumes access.

  • Preferences reset (Option+Shift), warning dialogs reset → no effect.

  • Fully uninstalled with Adobe Cleaner Tool + reinstalled Lightroom Classic & Camera Raw 17.5 → no effect.

  • Behavior is identical whether I import from X100VI tethered, SD card, or local disk folders.

👉 Bottom line: Lightroom’s Import tool fails to detect any photos of any type, anywhere, though the Library/Develop modules continue to function normally.

Correct answer dj_paige

Expand the Destination panel on the right and, as I said, make sure it points to a folder that actually exists.

3 replies

B
bence_7181
Participant
October 31, 2025

I have exactly the same issue but using LRC 15.0 on Win11.
Imported wo problem on 24.Oct - as always for many years. Two days after (nothing changed, no Win/Adobe update) - LRC can't see any Pic. 😞 
Have all essential rights, re-installed LRC - nothing helps. It's some bug, sure.

dj_paige
dj_paige
Legend
October 31, 2025

@bence_7181 try the answers marked correct in this thread.

B
bence_7181
Participant
November 3, 2025

Thanks! Choosing destination folder solved the problem. (Actually I don't understand, how was destination folder forgotten. I did not change it and was unable to reproduce the issue manually.)

dj_paige
dj_paige
Legend
October 4, 2025

In the import dialog box, click on Copy. Then make sure the Destination Panel* on the right is expanded and points to a folder that exists. Then click back on ADD if you want.

 

* If the Destination panel on the right does not appear, then right-click on File Handling and from the drop-down menu that appears click on Destination.

J
jdelageAuthor
Participant
October 4, 2025

 

This is what my Import grid view looks like.

dj_paige
dj_paigeCorrect answer
Legend
October 4, 2025

Expand the Destination panel on the right and, as I said, make sure it points to a folder that actually exists.

JohanElzenga
Community Expert
JohanElzengaCommunity Expert
Community Expert
October 4, 2025
  • There is a strange issue that Lightroom does not show any images if there is no destination selected, and I believe this can even happen when you choose 'ADD' at the top of the dialog. So try this: Choose 'Copy' and then make sure you've selected a destination folder in the right panel. Does that make you see the images again?

 

Update: I see you already talked about pointing to a certain destination, so this probably won't help. No idea what else you could try.

 

-- Johan W. Elzenga
B
bence_7181
Participant
October 31, 2025

Thanks for the tip, this was the solution!

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