LR Classic (current version) wont open on Windows 11 PC

Work with LrC daily. Can confirm issues since updating to 15.4.1. PC appears to crash (went down general PC crashing dark hole checks initially) but the issues are very similar to what is happening to others: background running, catalog “repair” attempt due to closing/crashing. removed catalog it was trying to repair. on attempting to open alternative Catalog, PC appears to freeze/crash will leave running to see outcome (as others have suggested).

My hard drive was replaced. Lightroom Classic said that my catalog was corrupted and that a repair is underway. Four hours later, I can’t believe that the best solution is to wait and pray.

Lightroom (Lr icon) or Lightroom Classic (LrC icon)?

If LrC, please read this suggestion: 

The app doesn't open a window when i double click

This could be a catalog issue. Hold down the Option key while starting Lightroom Classic, till you get a dialog asking what catalog you want to open. Choose to create a new catalog to see if Lightroom starts correctly with that.

At least two users have found that letting the program run overnight fixes the problem. Not the best workaround, but it is worth a try.

https://community.adobe.com/questions%2D675/lr%2Dclassic%2Dcurrent%2Dversion%2Dwont%2Dopen%2Don%2Dwindows%2D11%2Dpc%2D1628324?postid=7698050#post7698050#post7698050

I am experiencing a repeatable startup failure in Lightroom Classic 15.4.1 on macOS Tahoe 26.5.2. Lightroom never progresses past the splash screen and remains indefinitely at “Reading Preferences.”

The application does not crash or generate an error message—it simply hangs.

Environment:

• Lightroom Classic: 15.4.1
• macOS: Tahoe 26.5.2
• Hardware: Apple Silicon Mac
• Adobe Creative Cloud: Current version

Steps to Reproduce:

1. Launch Lightroom Classic 15.4.1.
2. Splash screen appears.
3. Startup stops at “Reading Preferences.”
4. Lightroom never completes startup.

Expected Result:
Lightroom Classic should complete initialization and open normally.

Actual Result:
Lightroom remains indefinitely at “Reading Preferences” and must be Force Quit.

Troubleshooting Performed:

• Uninstalled and reinstalled Lightroom Classic.
• Confirmed Creative Cloud is installed and signed in.
• Reset Lightroom preferences using the keyboard shortcut.
• Deleted Lightroom preference files manually.
• Removed Lightroom support files.
• Restarted the Mac multiple times.
• Verified Full Disk Access permissions.
• Issue persists after reinstall.

There are several other people experiencing this problem- so it looks like there might be a bug in the upgrade system.

See this forum link-

Hi ​@Clive32973672lu8l 

Sorry to hear you're experiencing this issue. Could you please share a screenshot of what you see when you launch the app? Does it display an error message, crash report, or any other unexpected behavior? Also, could you let me know:

• Which operating system and version of Lightroom Clasisc are you using?

• Have there been any recent changes to your system, such as OS or app updates?

• Have you recently installed or updated any antivirus software, browser extensions, or plugins?

These details will help narrow down the possible cause and determine the next troubleshooting steps.

Lightroom Classic no longer opening, yet seems to be running according to task manager in Windows 11.

Have tried uninstalling and reinstalling latest version, running system file repairs, rolling back to previous versions but none of these have resolved the issue.