Skip to main content
JordanIB
JordanIB
Participant
February 24, 2026
Answered

Lightroom desktop app (Windows 11) won't load. Shows in task manager as Background Process with status "Suspended".

  • February 24, 2026
  • 2 replies
  • 126 views

I’ve investigated this for at least a couple of hours to no avail.  Windows 11, Lightroom Creative Cloud version 9.2.  All of a sudden the app simply won’t open.  The little progress circle appears next to the cursor, and after a couple of seconds it disappears and Lightroom hasn’t loaded.  I sits in Task Manager under Background Processes, with status “Suspended”.  

 

I’ve uninstalled and reinstalled both Lightroom and Creative Cloud.  I’ve updated graphics drivers and I’ve read that could be the issue.  Nothing has resolved this yet.

 

What is going on?  I’m currently paying for software that refuses to open.

      Correct answer Sameer K

      Hey, ​@JordanIB & ​@Tom24672820vkf4. Welcome to the Lightroom Community. I’ll help you figure this out.

      There could be a few external factors that sometimes prevent Lightroom from launching. 

       

      For now, try these steps to boot in Safe mode, and for manually recreating the MSVC++ Libraries:

      • In the Creative Cloud app, press CTRL + ALT + T (Win) to launch Creative Cloud Troubleshooter & select 'Close Creative Cloud and related processes' > click on Go.
      • Go to 'Add or Remove programs' in Windows search & find all the installations of Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable (all years).
      • Uninstall them completely. Even if there is an option to repair them, please uninstall all the existing MSVC++ packages.
      • Download a fresh package of installers for MSVC++ from this link: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/cpp/windows/latest-supported-vc-redist?view=msvc-170
      • Right-click the downloaded file and select Extract All.
      • Reinstall all packages (32bit & 64bit) one by one & then restart the computer once.

      If this does not help, 

      You can try booting the machine into Windows Safe Mode (with networking) via Advanced Restart to see if that helps. Steps from Microsoft here:https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-startup-settings-1af6ec8c-4d4a-4b23-adb7-e76eef0b847f 

      Let me know how it goes from here. Thanks!

      Sameer K

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

      2 replies

      Sameer K
      Community Manager
      Sameer KCommunity ManagerCorrect answer
      Community Manager
      March 5, 2026

      Hey, ​@JordanIB & ​@Tom24672820vkf4. Welcome to the Lightroom Community. I’ll help you figure this out.

      There could be a few external factors that sometimes prevent Lightroom from launching. 

       

      For now, try these steps to boot in Safe mode, and for manually recreating the MSVC++ Libraries:

      • In the Creative Cloud app, press CTRL + ALT + T (Win) to launch Creative Cloud Troubleshooter & select 'Close Creative Cloud and related processes' > click on Go.
      • Go to 'Add or Remove programs' in Windows search & find all the installations of Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable (all years).
      • Uninstall them completely. Even if there is an option to repair them, please uninstall all the existing MSVC++ packages.
      • Download a fresh package of installers for MSVC++ from this link: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/cpp/windows/latest-supported-vc-redist?view=msvc-170
      • Right-click the downloaded file and select Extract All.
      • Reinstall all packages (32bit & 64bit) one by one & then restart the computer once.

      If this does not help, 

      You can try booting the machine into Windows Safe Mode (with networking) via Advanced Restart to see if that helps. Steps from Microsoft here:https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-startup-settings-1af6ec8c-4d4a-4b23-adb7-e76eef0b847f 

      Let me know how it goes from here. Thanks!

      Sameer K

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

        Tom24672820vkf4
        Tom24672820vkf4
        Participant
        March 9, 2026

        @sameer K, Thank you! Doing your first suggestion worked!

          Claire H.
          Community Manager
          Claire H.Community Manager
          Community Manager
          March 17, 2026

          Hi ​@Tom24672820vkf4, Glad to hear the suggestion worked! Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any other questions. Happy editing! ^CH

          Tom24672820vkf4
          Tom24672820vkf4
          Participant
          March 4, 2026

          Following this thread. Same issue started happening with me a few days ago. Any help would be much appreciated.

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