My external hard drive is no longer visible

Forum|Forum|7 months ago
September 1, 2025
2 replies
137 views

When I had to send my computer out for repair, I removed all apps. When I got it back, I had to do a factory reset. All of my catalogs are on my external hard drive but now it is not showing. When I can get it to show by plugging it in after starting LRC, I only see files from this year and it looks like I have to import them. I reverted to the previous install, but that didn't help.

Please help!

Windows

dj_paige

Legend

When I can get it to show by plugging it in after starting LRC, I only see files from this year

This most likely means you do not have the right catalog file. You have accidentally opened the wrong catalog file. Please search your external HD for files whose name ends with .LRCAT and open each one until you can see all of the photos of interest.

AxelMatt

Community Expert

.... When I can get it to show by plugging it in after starting LRC,...

By @Linda96753

You have to connect your external hard drive BEFORE you starting Lightroom. You also need to make sure that the external disk is visible in Windows under the same letter as before the repair.

If you have taken this into account, LR should find the catalog.

Please note: DON'T reimport anything.

My System: Intel i7-8700K - 64GB RAM - NVidia Geforce RTX 3060 - Windows 11 Pro 25H2 -- LR-Classic 15 - Photoshop 27 - Nik Collection 8 - PureRAW 6 - Topaz Photo AI

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