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thermogod
Participating Frequently
May 18, 2026
Answered

lightroom takes 15 minutes to export four pictures (stuck on "preparing for export / gathering data")

  • May 18, 2026
  • 2 replies
  • 77 views

after the recent update, my Mac Pro with an M4 chip running the latest OS (tahoe 26.4.1 and Lightroom 9.3.1.) now takes about 15 minutes to export four reasonably sized (8000x5000) pictures. it hangs on “preparing for export” for about ten minutes, then exports 1 picture, then hangs up again for two minutes, exports another picture, and so on. 

i run a photography business and this isn’t going to work for me. 

so what do i need to do? turn GPU acceleration to “auto” for the seventh time? clear my cache (it’s empty)? check activity monitor (lightroom is literally using 20 of 24gb of available memory, with the other 4gb taken up by kernel_task which prevents GPU heat damage)? check that i’m synced with the photos on the cloud (it says i’m backed up and synced)?

what super specific combination of buttons do i need to press to make my $240/year app work properly?

    Correct answer Srishti Bali

    Hi ​@thermogod 

     

    Thanks for reaching out. When Lightroom gets stuck on “Preparing for export – Gathering data” and takes an unusually long time to export just a few photos, it’s often related to catalog, preview, network issues or resource constraints rather than the export itself.

    Here are a few things worth checking:

    • Try exporting from a new test catalog with the same images. This helps rule out catalog-related slowdowns.
    • Make sure the photos are fully downloaded locally (not showing as smart previews or cloud-only), as Lightroom needs local data to prepare exports.
    • Check Preferences > Performance and temporarily disable GPU acceleration to see if export speed improves.
    • If you’re exporting to an external drive or network location, test exporting to the local desktop instead.
    • Restart Lightroom and the system to clear any background processes that may be holding up export preparation
    • You may also try resetting Lightroom Desktop sync preferences
      Quit Lightroom Desktop completely.
      Relaunch Lightroom while holding Option + Shift (Mac). A dialog will appear asking if you want to reset preferences, confirm.
      After relaunch, check if sync resumes.

    • If nothing helps, reset the local sync cache
      Quit Lightroom Desktop.
      Navigate to: ~/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Lightroom CC/Rename (don't delete) the folder to something like Lightroom CC_backup.
      Relaunch Lightroom Desktop from the Creative Cloud app. It will rebuild its local database and re-sync from the cloud.

     

    Let us know how it goes. We’re looking forward to your response!

    2 replies

    Claire H.
    Community Manager
    Claire H.Community Manager
    Community Manager
    June 5, 2026

    Hi ​@thermogod, I'm just checking in to see if the suggestion helped or if you are still running into this issue? Let us know how things are going. Happy to keep troubleshooting with you if needed. Thanks! ^CH

    Srishti Bali
    Community Manager
    Srishti BaliCommunity ManagerCorrect answer
    Community Manager
    May 19, 2026

    Hi ​@thermogod 

     

    Thanks for reaching out. When Lightroom gets stuck on “Preparing for export – Gathering data” and takes an unusually long time to export just a few photos, it’s often related to catalog, preview, network issues or resource constraints rather than the export itself.

    Here are a few things worth checking:

    • Try exporting from a new test catalog with the same images. This helps rule out catalog-related slowdowns.
    • Make sure the photos are fully downloaded locally (not showing as smart previews or cloud-only), as Lightroom needs local data to prepare exports.
    • Check Preferences > Performance and temporarily disable GPU acceleration to see if export speed improves.
    • If you’re exporting to an external drive or network location, test exporting to the local desktop instead.
    • Restart Lightroom and the system to clear any background processes that may be holding up export preparation
    • You may also try resetting Lightroom Desktop sync preferences
      Quit Lightroom Desktop completely.
      Relaunch Lightroom while holding Option + Shift (Mac). A dialog will appear asking if you want to reset preferences, confirm.
      After relaunch, check if sync resumes.

    • If nothing helps, reset the local sync cache
      Quit Lightroom Desktop.
      Navigate to: ~/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Lightroom CC/Rename (don't delete) the folder to something like Lightroom CC_backup.
      Relaunch Lightroom Desktop from the Creative Cloud app. It will rebuild its local database and re-sync from the cloud.

     

    Let us know how it goes. We’re looking forward to your response!

    Thanks, Srishti Bali | Community & Engagement Strategist, Digital Imaging | Adobe
    T
    thermogodAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    June 22, 2026

    GPU acceleration was it. disabled it and now i have no issue. 

    however, i turn this setting back to “auto” when editing pics because for who knows what reason, editing with 15+ masks is easier with GPU acceleration on “auto”.

    so, another accommodation I need to make because a function Adobe added for beneficial purposes needs to be turned OFF in order to export my final product, for $18 a month. not surprised at this point.

    T
    thermogodAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    June 22, 2026

    and then there’s a literal banner that pops up when you disable the setting?? why would anyone at Adobe code this into the software rather than fixing whatever makes enabling GPU DECREASE performance? 

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