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skphoto
skphoto
Participant
March 12, 2026
Question

Problem with + and - keys reverting changes

  • March 12, 2026
  • 1 reply
  • 48 views

I use the + and - keys to adjust my sliders when going through photos quickly for minor changes, in particular, for exposure. I find that sometimes (maybe 1 in 10 images), I can see the keypad change occur, but then just as quickly bouce back as if I had never made the change. This happens while still on the image, not when moving to the next. Is this a bug? If not, what can I do to stop this happening?

      1 reply

      johnrellis
      johnrellis
      Legend
      March 12, 2026

      [View this post in your web browser. It contains formatting and images that don't appear in email.]

       

      Initial troubleshooting:

       

      1. Please do the LR menu command Help > System Info and copy/paste the entire contents here so we can see exactly which versions of hardware and software LR thinks you're running and important LR options that are set.

       

      2.Restart your computer. If the problem persists, try resetting LR's preferences:
      https://www.lightroomqueen.com/articles-page/how-do-i-reset-lightrooms-preferences/
       
      LR sometimes soils its preferences file, and resetting it can fix all sorts of wonky behavior. That article explains how to restore the old preferences if resetting doesn't help.

      skphoto
      skphotoAuthor
      Participant
      March 12, 2026

      Thanks for the reply. Here is my system info - 

       

      Lightroom Classic version: 15.2 [ 202602111402-ec4112e8 ]
      License: Creative Cloud
      Language setting: en-NZ
      Operating system: Mac OS 15
      Version: 15.5.0 [24F74]
      Application architecture: arm64
      Logical processor count: 10
      Processor speed: NA
      SqLite Version: 3.36.0
      Adobe GSDK Version: 1.4.0.171

      Power Source: Battery, 33%
      Built-in memory: 65,536.0 MB
      Dedicated GPU memory used by Lightroom: 7,323.6MB / 49,152.0MB (14%)
      Real memory available to Lightroom: 65,536.0 MB
      Real memory used by Lightroom: 5,856.4 MB (8.9%)
      Virtual memory used by Lightroom: 425,812.0 MB
      Memory cache size: 2,329.9MB
      Internal Camera Raw version: 18.2 [ 2482 ]
      Maximum thread count used by Camera Raw: 5
      Camera Raw SIMD optimization: SSE2
      Camera Raw virtual memory: 1059MB / 32767MB (3%)
      Camera Raw real memory: 1068MB / 65536MB (1%)

      Cache1: 
      Final1- RAM:323.0MB, VRAM:0.0MB, 026A6840-Edit.tif
      Final2- RAM:278.0MB, VRAM:1,014.0MB, 026A6910-Edit.tif
      Final3- RAM:295.0MB, VRAM:0.0MB, 026A6874-Edit.tif
      NT- RAM:896.0MB, VRAM:1,014.0MB, Combined:1,910.0MB

      Cache2: 
      m:2,329.9MB, n:886.8MB

      U-main: 230.0MB

      Standard Preview Size: 3456 pixels
      Displays: 1) 3456x2234

      Graphics Processor Info: 
      Metal: Apple M1 Max
      Init State: GPU for Export supported by default
      User Preference: Auto
      Enable HDR in Library: OFF
      GPU for Preview Generation: Auto (S5_48)

      Application folder: /Applications/Adobe Lightroom Classic
      Library Path: /Users/siobhandrew/Documents/SKP/Extra PS and LR stuff/Catalogs/2026/2026.lrcat
      Settings Folder: /Users/siobhandrew/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Lightroom

      Installed Plugins: 
      1) AdobeStock
      2) Aperture/iPhoto Importer Plug-in
      3) Canon Professional Print & Layout
      4) Flickr
      5) Narrative

      Config.lua flags: 

      Anshul_Saini
      Community Manager
      Anshul_SainiCommunity Manager
      Community Manager
      April 3, 2026

      Hi ​@skphoto,

       

      Thanks for sharing the system info. From what you’re describing, the value changing and then reverting, this doesn’t look like a Lightroom-native behavior. It’s more consistent with an input being overridden after the key press.

       

      Let’s try isolating it:

      • Please boot your Mac into Safe Mode and test Lightroom there. This disables third-party background services and utilities

       

      If the issue does not happen in Safe Mode, then it’s very likely caused by:

      • A third-party app

      • A background service

      • Or an input/keyboard utility intercepting key events

       

      Next step (in normal mode):

      • When the issue happens, open Activity Monitor

      • Start closing background apps (especially utilities, menu bar tools, keyboard/mouse software, etc.)

      • Test Lightroom after closing each one

      • Identify which app is “hijacking” or overriding the input

       

      If you’re able to identify the app, please share it here. It will help others facing the same issue

       

      This kind of behavior is commonly caused by external tools rather than Lightroom itself.

       

      Let us know how it goes.

       

      Best regards,

      Anshul Saini

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