Question

Preview images are not loaded in the library module

Forum|Forum|4 months ago
January 19, 2026
5 replies
355 views

# LrC 15.1 / Camera Raw 18.1 / Win11 #

Hello,

I have been having a problem with LR Classic for quite some time. Preview images are not displayed automatically in the Library module. They only appear as previews when I click on them specifically; otherwise, the fields remain gray.

Now I have a new, powerful computer, but the problem persists. All other tricks (such as deleting Previews.lrdata and root-pixels) have not helped.

The preview only appears when you click on the corresponding image, and then it appears about 2 to 3 seconds after loading.

Is there anything else I could try? Are there any known performance limits for image folders or image quantities?

I would be very grateful for any suggestions.

Dirk

Windows

F

freidenker76Author

dj_paige

Legend

The three dots at the top right corner of the thumbnail photo indicate that the preview hasn't been read yet. Something is interfering with this normal process, which should happen in a few seconds. But I am stumped right now as to what the problem is if you tried Library->Previews->Create 1:1 Previews and it only works on a few images. I'll have to think about this.

F

freidenker76Author

Thank you for your help. I will try another hard drive option. Maybe it is the NAS after all.

Thank you very much for your efforts so far.

F

freidenker76Author

I open a folder on my NAS in LR (just like before).

The preview appears in the library, but only with individual images (see attachment SCS-1). Most of it is gray.

When I then select all images with CTRL+A and click on the command Library->Previews->Build 1:1 Preview, the process starts and stops after a short time or a few images (SCS-2).

In the example, 10 preview images are created and nothing else happens. Even after 5 minutes, I am still at 10 images and have to cancel the process.

dj_paige

Legend

We cannot view file attachments because of a bug in the forum software. Please use the "Insert Photos" icon.

dj_paige_0-1768733657119.jpeg

I open a folder on my NAS in LR (just like before).

There is no "open a folder" command in LrC. Do you mean select the photos in a folder?

Have you considered the possibility that perhaps the NAS is not responding properly, that there is perhaps some malfunction or mis-configuration?

F

freidenker76Author

OK, I hadn't thought about the NAS until now because it has always worked without any problems and I haven't made any other configurations.

I will transfer the images to a large hard drive and set up a new catalog. Maybe the problem is actually with the NAS.

F

freidenker76Author

Hello,
Thank you very much for your initial help. I just tried creating the previews using a command, and it works as long as I don't select too many images.
Until two years ago, it automatically created previews when I clicked on a folder. Now only individual images are loaded as previews, and I haven't yet figured out why this is happening.

Could it be that LR is reaching its limits with a catalog containing 250,000 images?

My image cache is 50.0 GB.

Unfortunately, deleting Previews.lrdata has no effect.

dj_paige

Legend

Could it be that LR is reaching its limits with a catalog containing 250,000 images?

No.

... and it works as long as I don't select too many images.

Please explain this further. Provide details.

dj_paige

Legend

@freidenker76

You are having preview problems. Please select all the photos with this problem, and go ahead and use the menu command Library->Previews->Build 1:1 Previews.

If that doesn't work, you may have to rebuild the entire preview cache. Go to the folder with your catalog and then delete the subfolder whose name ends with Previews.lrdata. Lightroom Classic will rebuild your previews as needed.

I wouldn't bother creating a new catalog right now.

Sameer K

Community Manager

Hey, @freidenker76. Welcome to the Lightroom Classic Community. I'll need more information to help you figure this out.

Please share the system information from Lightroom Help > System info > Copy and paste into a text document > Upload and attach here.

Where is the catalog stored? On the internal or external drive? Try these suggestions:

1 - As a test, create a new catalog from File > New Catalog & check if the issue exists.

2 - Check this recent conversation for a similar issue: https://adobe.ly/49DOgw0

Let me know how it goes. Thanks!

Sameer K
(Type '@' and type my name to mention me when you reply)

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