Skip to main content
johanb89817280
johanb89817280
Participant
Jan 23, 2018 9:40 PM UTC
Answered

Removing corrupted photos from library

I had a hdd crash and let professionals restore it. They managed to save 80% of the images. But now i really need to remove those 20% of just blank out images with the black exclamation mark on it. They are sitting there like dark sad reminders of all the photos i've lost. Is there a way to bulk remove all damaged images?

    Rob_Cullen
    Rob_CullenCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    Jan 26, 2018 12:20 AM UTC

    Darn! Spoke too soon. There is still blank images in the library. When i click the black exclamation mark it says

    "Lightroom has encountered problems reading this photo. You will not be able to make adjustments to the photo"

    Any way to single these ones out too?


    If you see blank previews, but not marked as 'missing', there is no automatic way of filtering for the problem files.

    There remains the possibility that your Previews cache has become corrupted, hence showing blank images, or the 'Professional Restore' has corrupted some files.

    It may help to let Lightroom re-build the Previews.

    Details to do this can be found at-  https://www.lightroomqueen.com/lightroom-says-preview-cache-corrupted-fix/

    (Do NOT delete your catalog file   xxxx.LRCAT )

    Failing a Preview re-build, it might just have to be a visual selection of problem previews and choose to [Remove] them from the catalog (if possible!). Do not [Delete from disk] as you may be able to try and Import them again if the originals are by some luck OK.

    Regards. My System: Windows-11, Lightroom-Classic 15.6, Photoshop 27.8, ACR 18.7, Lightroom 9.4, Lr-iOS 10.4.0, Bridge 16.0.3 .
    View reply

    9 replies

    Kostas04
    Participant
    Feb 5, 2025 11:33 AM UTC

    Thank you ALL for your great recommendations!!!

    I am trying to remove thousands of damaged photos too.  Unfortunately the advises here are quite tedios and manual.

    What I did was to use Visual Similarity Duplicate Image Finder to scan my library and remove damaged photos automatically. Generally that tool is for finding similar photos and organizing your images, but it lists also the damaged/corrupt files in your collection at the ends of the scan so you can easily remove them. The good thing that it support all popula image formats including RAW.

    Translate
    Rob_Cullen
    Community Expert
    Rob_CullenCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    Jan 23, 2018 10:54 PM UTC

    I suggest-

    1) Go Menu > Library > Find all Missing Photos

    2) Select all  [Ctrl+A]

    3) Visually scroll through and check that these are the previews you want to delete.

    4) press [Delete] and [Remove]

    Translate
    Regards. My System: Windows-11, Lightroom-Classic 15.6, Photoshop 27.8, ACR 18.7, Lightroom 9.4, Lr-iOS 10.4.0, Bridge 16.0.3 .
      johanb89817280
      johanb89817280Author
      Participant
      Jan 25, 2018 10:52 PM UTC

      Thanks WobertC. 3134 images gone. Broke my heart seeing the empty five stars ;(

      Translate
      johanb89817280
      johanb89817280Author
      Participant
      Jan 25, 2018 10:59 PM UTC

      Darn! Spoke too soon. There is still blank images in the library. When i click the black exclamation mark it says

      "Lightroom has encountered problems reading this photo. You will not be able to make adjustments to the photo"

      Any way to single these ones out too?

      Translate
      Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
      Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices