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Participant
October 4, 2026
Question

Missing file names when attempting to "reconnect files"

  • October 4, 2026
  • 6 replies
  • 33 views

When I attempt to reconnect files, I get the screen “Reconnect Missing File” but there are no files listed under the Files Missing From Catalog column, and the Locate the Missing Files column is either empty or poiting to my Macintosh HD disk.  (See attached image).  I had opened this before and thought I had a corrupt catalog but I have since recreated the catalog and no longer believe it is corrupt.  

    6 replies

    Inspiring
    October 6, 2026

    M

    meg576Correct answer

    Inspiring

    1 year ago

    Thanks for your reply, Greg. I have tried the actions you suggested without any luck, I now believe the image is not in the Organizer catalog. It is a Microsoft file used as the HOME page icon that has somehow infected my PSE 2024 program. It displays every time I want to do a catalog backup. Before the backup process begins, it must check that all files are connected. After scanning the files, if proigram thinks something isn't connected, it will begin searching the computer. If it can't find the missing file, you can browse the computer to find the missing file.


    [cid:93e7682c-9063-48ae-a904-d7c5556786d1]


    Since the missing file does not display a name or file extension or a thumbnail in the left column, I am unable to find the root cause of the issue. I have tried uninstalling and reinstalling from a fresh program download and restoring the catalog from a different backup. Since it is not in the catalog, I have come to believe it is probably a bug in the Windows 11 program.
    Since the bug does not stop the catalog backup process and just interferes with the reconnection of files, it is a nuisance that I could do without,

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    Greg_S.

    Community Expert

    Greg_S.Community Expert

    Community Expert

    1 year ago

     

     

    Is the file possibly hidden in the Catalog?  Go to View>Hidden Files>Show All Files (or Show All Hidden Files).

    There is no way that the Home icon is too large to create a thumbnail in the Organizer.  Even a large or corrupt file will display a generic icon.

    It seems that you have file extensions turned off in Windows Explorer.  Turn on the display of file extensions from the Explorer View menu so that you can see the full file name and then do a file name search in the Organizer for that file.  (Shift+Ctrl+K)  Actually, you can just search for the filename Home and see what happens.

     

    And does the same thing happen if you do a Find>All Missing Files instead of File>Reconnect >All Missing Files?

     

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    meg576

    Inspiring

    1 year ago

     

     

    Thanks for your reply, Greg. I have tried the actions you suggested without any luck, I now believe the image is not in the Organizer catalog. It is a Microsoft file used as the HOME page icon that has somehow infected my PSE 2024 program.  It displays every time I want to do a catalog backup. Before the backup process begins, it must check that all files are connected. After scanning the files, if proigram thinks something isn't connected, it will begin searching the computer. If it can't find the missing file, you can browse the computer to find the missing file.

     

    816775iC14EB15D7879975F.jpg

    Inspiring
    October 6, 2026

    Missing File prevents Reconnect Action

    I would appreciate finding a solution to deleting a missing file that prevents the ' Reconnect All Missing Files ' action from completion. I am working with PSE 2024 on a Windows  11 PC desktop which is new and updated. When I initiate  Reconnect All Missing Files ' , it quickly identifies all the photos except one. It is the top half (orange roof) of the desktop icon for the Window Home folder. I think it represent a file that is so large that PPSE cannot generate a thumbnail in the left side. Since there is no thumbnail, I cannot reconnect the 'HOME' icon. I cant find it i the catalog and cant delete it.  Interesting enough, this one missing file does not prevent backing up the catalog.  I have no idea about how the icon got into the catalog.816521i456DBF2971228A2A.png

    Greg_S.
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    October 6, 2026

    Did you try my suggestion to use the Find>All Missing Files command?  If so, what happens?

     

    If you are presented with a grid of missing files, select one and look in the Information panel on the right to determine where the catalog thinks the file should be located.  Does that give you any clues?  

     

    Why did you think you had a corrupt catalog?  How did you recreate your catalog?

    How many files are in your catalog?

    millewgAuthor
    Participant
    October 6, 2026

    This is the screen I get when I get an indication of missing files and go to browse to search for a find specific files.  It tells me there are missing files yet none show when I attempt to find and reconnect them.

    Greg_S.
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    October 5, 2026

    I know nothing about Macs, but your screenshot does not indicate that any files are missing. 

    How do you know files are missing?

    Go to Find>All missing files and allow the search to complete.  If the grid then shows any missing files, double-click on one and a dialog will open which will allow you to navigate to where you think the missing file is.  A dialog box similar to your screenshot should open and if you click on the folder navigation button, you can tell the program where the missing file is:

     

     

    millewgAuthor
    Participant
    October 4, 2026

    To further clarify, I have attepted to allow PE to run and locate the file but is cannot.  I am also on PE V26.