P: LrC 12.2.1 fails to start/launch or is extremely slow launching.

[Micke, Finland]

Hi,

LRC 12.2.1 is not starting anymore, just launches as a background process using significant amounts of RAM and CPU, but the visible window never shows up. 

I have already:

- Tried the alt-shift-click thingie.

- Tried logging out and in from CC.

- Wiping all data files from the computer and letting LRC create a fresh Lightroom folder and catalog file (sometimes it does that, sometimes it hangs before the folder is created). 

- Wiping all Adobe products with the cleaner tool and reinstalling just LRC.

- I have even formatted and reisntalled the computer (becuase it was a good time to do that anyway).

But LRC still fails. What to do next?

Edition Windows 10 Pro
Version 22H2
Installed on ‎17.‎03.‎2023
OS build 19045.2728
Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 120.2212.4190.0

[John R Ellis]

"there is no metrics.json file, only a Local prefs.json file."

Did you exit LR first?  The file only appears when LR isn't running.

[KathleenMartin]

For anyone who was having this "LRC won't launch" issue and my fix worked, you should check out my latest update in the link John posted above. The bad news is that as of 3/26, my problem returned. The good news is that the fix still works. But there is a very weird twist to the situation.

[KathleenMartin]

https://www.lightroomqueen.com/community/threads/lrc-cache-causing-crash-metrics-json-but-why.47409/...

[John1957]

Thanks for your help, the problem was LR was taking a long time to start up. Eventually after a while and trying a few things the problem righted itself. I've no idea why, or what caused the original issue.

[chrisseTC]

Dear Coleagues, 

When in open LRC 12.2.1 it does not open. I have Windows 10 enterprise version 21H2.

I see a small blue wheel for a view second, same as when It would open correctly. But after a veiw seconds, the process it stops and LRC does not open any window. I am not sure if it has any relation to my change in language from english to german.

I have tried:

open from a backup catalog.

uninstall / install

deleted all lightroom files and again installed from crative cloud app...

What I am not able to is alt shift - stop preferences- can anybody explain that? 

What else can I try? 

Please...

thank you

chris

[john beardsworth]

With LR closed, try deleting the file metrics.json. It's in this folder C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Adobe\Lightroom\Caches\metrics.json .

[chrisseTC]

Thank you very much! Deleting "metrics.json" did resolve my problem.

I can continue working LRC. 

🙂

[John R Ellis]

"The bad news is that as of 3/26, my problem returned."

Even if you did it before, disable the account option Desktop App Usage, as described here:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/lightroom-classic-discussions/lrc-12-2-1-fails-to-start-on-windows/m-...

If appears that in the last couple of days Adobe has been changing things on the server side (hopefully to workaround this very common problem), and that option has been automatically re-enabled for some.

[John R Ellis]

"the problem was LR was taking a long time to start up. Eventually after a while and trying a few things the problem righted itself. I've no idea why, or what caused the original issue."

That could well be the "metrics.json" issue. If it comes back again, exit LR,  delete "metrics.json", and disable the Creative Cloud account option Data App Usage:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/lightroom-classic-discussions/lrc-12-2-1-fails-to-start-on-windows/m-...

[xaviski]

Hi. My Lightroom Classic isn't opening. It appears in windows task manager but the program does not open.

The other Adobe programs open, just not Lightroom Classic. I have tried reinstalling and using older versions but any option didn't work.

I use Windows 11 Pro and the latest version of Lightroom Classis (12.2.1).
How can I solve this?

Thanks!

[John R Ellis]

Try deleting the file "metrics.json" as detailed here:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/lightroom-classic-discussions/lrc-12-2-1-fails-to-start-on-windows/m-...

[John1957]

Thanks, will do.

[Rikk Flohr: Photography]

One of our Prerelease Testers has a bug logged for this and we've referenced this thread to that existing bug. 

Workaround:
The team has verified this workaround has no risks. Until we can release an update, please follow these steps:

• Close LrC if open
  (the file will not show if Lightroom is open)
  
  
• Locate metrics.json file at this location: 
  
  Mac: /Users/<username>/Library/Caches/Adobe/Lightroom/metrics.json
  (Note that Mac has two Libraries
  Make sure you are in the User Library and not the System Library!)
  https://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/global/access-hidden-user-library-files.html 
  
  Win: C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Adobe\Lightroom\Caches\metrics.json 
  (Note this is a hidden directory by default on Windows)
  https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/view-hidden-files-and-folders-in-windows-97fbc472-c603-9... 
  
  
• Remove or rename the file
  
  

Lightroom should now launch normally.

Thank you for your patience. 

[Torsten28833205he7a]

Leider hat das Löschen der genannten Dateien keine Änderung am Verhalten von Lightroom CC gebracht.

[GoldingD]

What happens if you log into your computer using a different user account? Typically the Admin account. Does LrC behave?

[jaredk13890162]

After several reboots and a couple of times leaving Lightroom trying to open overnight - the issue appears to be resolved. At first I thought it succeeded only when I had my browser (Firefox) closed, but now it seems to be working in all cases. I'm not sure what wound up leading it to work - but trying to open Lightroom and leaving it to run overnight resulted in it eventually working.

[Yeuwjs]

Please.opne.lightroom

[eric_brb]

Perhaps this IS the bug...after updating to 12.2.1, Lightroom Classic hangs indefinitely on my machine (I see it chewing up RAM, but never brings up any dialog boxes or UI).  After removing any .lock files, I tried resetting my preferences using the shift+alt method and, after doing so, my machine hangs indefinitely on the "Lightroom Catalog Upgrade" UI, just like the screen attached in the OP's first post.

At this point, the only way I've been able to get back into Lightroom Classic is to uninstall 12.2.1 and install an older version.  12.1 works, but I must reset my preferences to get it to open again...and it takes a little time before I get a message about the dialog to upgrade my catalog.  After selecting to upgrade, Lightroom Classic does eventually open, but it now has to resync all of my images before they show up again.  

I've gone through this entire process twice and still haven't been able to get 12.2.1 to open, so I'm staying with 12.1 until the next update becomes available.

[Rikk Flohr: Photography]

Have you tried the solution outlined here: https://community.adobe.com/t5/lightroom-classic-bugs/p-lrc-12-2-1-fails-to-start-launch-or-is-extre... 

[coreyaj]

Another Mac user here.  Mac OS and LrC are updated.  I lauch LrC and see the load window for a split second and it crashes. 
I look for the Mac: /Users/<username>/Library/Caches/Adobe/Lightroom/metrics.json file to remove, but it is not on my computer. Any other suggestions?  - Thanks

[eric_brb]

I hadn't seen that thread, so I haven't tried it yet.  That said, I can't find a "metrics" file in my Local\Adobe\Lightroom\Caches folder nor can I find an option to disable anything labeled "Data App Usage" in the Creative Cloud app.  Is that the same thing as "Desktop app usage" if I go to the "Privacy and personal data" section of the Creative Cloud website?

[eric_brb]

Ok...that worked.  Thanks!

[John R Ellis]

"I look for the Mac: /Users/<username>/Library/Caches/Adobe/Lightroom/metrics.json file to remove, but it is not on my computer."

Did you close LR before looking?  That's important.

[coreyaj]

It is already closed.  That's my issue, I can't get it to open. 

-thanks

[Rikk Flohr: Photography]

The engineering team is looking for an example metrics.json file from a customer who experienced a failure to launch. Note: if you were just experiencing a delayed launch we don't need a copy of your file. 

If you have a failure to launch and can supply us with your metrics.json file and are willing to share it with the team, please respond to this post. 

Thanks for your patience.