Lightroom only opening as a background program

SOLVED: Another Prblem that Can Happen Related:

May 25, 2024

Hi, I'm posting in a few threats related to this. I found a solution to Lightroom Classic not opening on Windows 11 even though it is running in the background and I wanted to share.

The problem I discovered I was having was I was trying to get lightroom to open a catalog that no longer existed. Somehow the catalog file and a bunch of other data disapeared even though the folder and some of the data was still there. It took a while for it to occur to me to check but it was gone. But when I had Lightroom open a catalog that actually existed, it worked fine.

But I also did what user @Rob_Cullen recommended which I'm not sure if it was necessary but you could try that in addition if starting an actual catalog doesn't work. 

This is similar to a problem I had some time ago with Lr v5 (IIRC)

Try the following procedure to see if it solves the problem.

1. Do a computer reboot/re-start
2. Open Lightroom
3. Open the Task Manager. (CTRL+ALT+DELETE) or (Windows Key+X)
4. Right-Click on the App- Adobe Photoshop Lightroom-
5. Select the option "Go to details"-
6. Right-Click on "Lightroom.exe"
7. Click on [Set Priority]
8. Set the Priority to "High"
9. Close Task Manager.
10. Close all programs and Re-Boot the computer
11. As you open Lightroom- Reset the Preferences by holding down [SHIFT+ALT].
12. Check LR closes correctly.

Did LrC close properly last time you used it. Or did it crash? Or dud you force quit?

Either of the latter would have not deleted the lock file.

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

I saw that you were having trouble setting the priority in Task Manager as described in the older thread here. I thought I would give you a little more detail on how to do that, in case you want to try this solution.

1. When you first open Task Manager, you may see the summary view. If so, choose "More Details" at the bottom:

2. In the detailed view, you will see the disclosure triangle next to Lightroom to allow you to expand to show the sub-processes:

3.  Right click Lightroom Classic, and Choose "Go to Details."

4. In the Details view, right click Lightroom.exe, choose "Set Priority," and change to "High."

I've found this same problem with Chrome several times. You start it, it doesn't show up listed under Processes, for live apps, but only Details, which lists all the programs.

I suspect this is a Windows issue rather than a Adobe issue.

As a test, try right-clicking on LrC and run it as Administrator.

Please provide the following basic information: