missing folders in lightroom

Question

I recently imported two photos folders. I have edited and exported photos from these folders. Tonight I went to edit more photos, and both folders are gone....as if I never imported them. Sidenote....when I opened LR tonight I received a message that said Lightroom catalog is being used by another application. I shut down my computer, restarted Lightroom and did not get this message. However, my folders were gone. Help.

Thanks.

Rob_Cullen · Answer

You have possibly opened a different 'old' catalog (that does not reference the "gone" folders).

Search with Windows File Explorer or Mac Finder for Catalog files with an .LRCAT extension. Open each to find your current working catalog. I think you will find one with the missing folders.

(If you hold down Ctrl (Windows) / Opt (Mac) while starting Lightroom, it will show all Catalogs it can find, and asks which catalog to open. )

The Catalog that gave the error message " used by another application" was a Catalog that had not been closed correctly and was "Locked" by an accompanying file {Catalog Name.lrcat.LOCK }. Delete this .LOCK file to allow the catalog to re-open.

LOCK FILE DELETION - LR-CLASSIC

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