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Jarosław31803479xwxc
Participating Frequently
August 22, 2026
Question

I can't clear my cloud storage to free disc space in the cloud.

  • August 22, 2026
  • 3 replies
  • 46 views

Hello,

I am facing a critical issue with my Adobe cloud storage and Lightroom (Cloud-based desktop version). My cloud storage is currently showing 21.0 GB used out of 20 GB, which has completely frozen my account and synchronization.

Because of this over-quota status, I am experiencing a massive "phantom storage" UI bug on adobe.com and within the Creative Cloud desktop app. Every time I open folders like "Cloud Documents" (Projekty), "Synced Files" (Twoje pliki), or "Deleted" (Usunięte), the list of files flashes on the screen for a split second and then immediately disappears, displaying a "Folder is empty" message.

Because the interface keeps hiding the files, I am completely unable to select them and click "Permanently Delete" to free up my space.

Here is what I have already tried (none of it worked):

  1. Lightroom Desktop App: Cleared cache and permanently deleted 1,084 sync errors via Lightroom Web. The "Deleted" folder in Lightroom shows 0 images, but the cloud usage remains at 21.0 GB.
  2. Browser Incognito Mode: Tried logging into adobe.com via private windows to bypass browser cache. The files still flash and disappear instantly.
  3. Mobile Browser: Logged into my Adobe account via mobile phone browser, but the behavior is identical—folders appear empty after a split second.
  4. Lightroom Local Tab: This is the only way I can currently view my files in full resolution, but I am losing access to cloud features like "Recommended Presets" (AI analysis).

It seems like my account is stuck in a loop: I cannot delete files because the server rejects the request due to the over-quota lock, and I cannot unlock the account because I can't delete the files.

Could an Adobe Administrator please manually trigger a "Recalculate Storage Quota" or force-purge my Deleted/Cloud Documents folders from the backend? I just want to clear my cloud and use the software I pay for.

    3 replies

    Community Manager
    PeterB217095629Community Manager
    Community Manager
    August 25, 2026

    Sorry you are running into problems with full storage.  Step #1 is correct, but I am still seeing a lot of storage being used.  Make sure you are not uploading further data that is taking up the storage that you are freeing up when deleting.  If you are still running into a problem, please share the “Sync Issues” dialog you are seeing and we can look into further.

    -Peter

    Jarosław31803479xwxcAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    August 26, 2026

    Hi Peter,

    Thank you for your reply, but I think you misunderstood the core of the problem.

    I am not uploading any new data. In fact, I want to delete files to free up space, but I literally cannot do it because the Adobe interface shows me that my storage is completely empty.

    There are no files visible on screen to select and delete. Every folder (Cloud Documents, Synced Files, Deleted) displays as "0 files / Empty folder", yet the total account status in the bottom left corner still strictly says "21.0 GB used out of 20 GB".

    To make it worse, the files on adobe.com flash on the screen for a fraction of a second and then instantly vanish, turning into an empty screen. This is an interface/server bug caused by the account being frozen over-quota, not me uploading things.

    Regarding the "Sync Issues" dialog – I already permanently deleted all 1,084 sync errors via Lightroom Web earlier, so that section is now completely clean and empty as well.

    The problem is that 21 GB of invisible data is blocking my account, and the Adobe UI refuses to show me what it is so I can wipe it out. Can you please have a technician look at the backend of my account and force-purge or recalculate my storage quota?

    Thank you.

    Community Manager
    PeterB217095629Community Manager
    Community Manager
    August 28, 2026

    Can you please navigate to lightroom.adobe.com and send me a screenshot of what you see under Sync Issues.  I see 1031 partially uploaded photos so that’s what I would expect you would see.  I’m not aware of any problems displaying this sort of error, but maybe you are running into something we have not seen.

    -Peter

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