Skip to main content
C
CKSSmith
Inspiring
April 19, 2026
Answered

Unable to launch the April 2026 update on Windows 11

  • April 19, 2026
  • 3 replies
  • 85 views

I’ve just updated to the April 2026 version of LR classic. When I launch it on Windows 11 I can see it is running when I look at task manager and it has created the .lock file. But nothing displays on my screen. When I end the task in task manager and delete the lock file and try and launch it by clicking on my last catalog file the same thing happens. I’ve tried resetting the preferences file when launching but again nothing appears on my screen.

 

How can LR be running yet I can’t interact with it?

    Correct answer KR Seals

    I have had this exact issue my self. It turned out to be a corrupt catalog. Try unzipping your newest backup and try that. 
    Another approach is to create a new, blank catalog then try to import the problem one into the new catalog. That may or may not work depending on the nature of the catalog corruption.
    Of course, you need to delete the .lock file each time it is created if LrC does not open and close normally.

    3 replies

    KR Seals
    Community Expert
    KR SealsCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    April 19, 2026

    I have had this exact issue my self. It turned out to be a corrupt catalog. Try unzipping your newest backup and try that. 
    Another approach is to create a new, blank catalog then try to import the problem one into the new catalog. That may or may not work depending on the nature of the catalog corruption.
    Of course, you need to delete the .lock file each time it is created if LrC does not open and close normally.

    Ken Seals - Nikon Z 9, Z 8, 14mm-800mm. Computer Win 11 Pro, I7-14700K, 64GB, RTX3070TI. Travel machine: 2021 MacBook Pro M1 MAX 64GB. All Adobe apps.
      C
      CKSSmithAuthor
      Inspiring
      April 20, 2026

      thanks for your help - I am now back up and running.

      Arnold-Norway
      Arnold-Norway
      Known Participant
      April 19, 2026

      I have nearly the same capasity, and have been using LrC 15.3 since the minute it was released. Today I had an issue, that Masking could not find Landscape or Sky. However that was solved with a Optimize catalog.

      My experience in such cases as yours, is the problem is often catalog related, especially if the catalog is synced to some cloud.

      I think LrC may have problems opening your catalog file. Try to create a new catalog file, and see how that works. To create a new file, press and hold the Opt/Alt key while starting LrC.

      RegardsArnold Hoddevik
        C
        CKSSmithAuthor
        Inspiring
        April 20, 2026

        It may have been to do with the catalog but it is now working I’m pleased to say.

        AxelMatt
        Community Expert
        AxelMattCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        April 19, 2026

        On a first step try to reset the preferences of Lightroom Classic:  How to reset Lightroom Classic preferences (adobe.com)

        It's recommended to backup your preferences before you reset the preferences: https://helpx.adobe.com/lightroom-classic/kb/preference-file-and-other-file-locations.html

        If this doesn’t help the next step is to switch off the GPU support from the Lightroom preferences and check if that helps to fix the issue. If Lightroom doesn't start correctly the please see "Solution 2" in the document behind the link below.

        Troubleshoot GPU issues | Lightroom Classic (adobe.com)

        If it's help see here Troubleshoot GPU issues | Lightroom Classic (adobe.com) and check the different steps.

        If this also doesn’t perhaps a issue with your catalog. Restore the catalog from a recent backup -> Disaster strikes - a corrupted catalog! | The Lightroom Queen

         

         

         

         

        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
          C
          CKSSmithAuthor
          Inspiring
          April 19, 2026

          Thanks Axel for the quick response but, as I mentioned, I’ve already reset the preferences and it made no difference. I also can’t switch off the GPU support as LR does not load to allow me to do this! And restoring from a backup doesn’t work either. However I will try solution 2 from the document link you provided.

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