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Participant
January 28, 2017
Answered

Files cannot be found

  • January 28, 2017
  • 2 replies
  • 748 views

Can anyone tell me what is going on all my files SUDDENLY say this, on day i was working the next this pops up.

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Michael J. Hoffman

    Hi Shannon,

    Notice in the filmstrip at the bottom, all your thumbnails have the "!" Icon - this indicates that Lightroom can't find your original photos in the location that Lightroom believes they are stored.

    When you import port photos to Lightroom, Lightroom (typically) copies the original files from your camera to a location you specify in your system. It stores this location in the catalog, and uses the original file to build smaller thumbnails and previews to display.

    If if you go outside of Lightroom and move, rename or delete files or folders that are referenced in your catalog, you'll get the results you're seeing. One should never use Windows File Explorer or Mac Finder to modify files outside of Lightroom for this reason.

    If you've moved the folder, or renamed it, you can point Lightroom at the new location:

    How to find missing photos in Photoshop Lightroom

    Mike

    2 replies

    Michael J. Hoffman
    Community Expert
    Michael J. HoffmanCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    January 28, 2017

    Hi Shannon,

    Notice in the filmstrip at the bottom, all your thumbnails have the "!" Icon - this indicates that Lightroom can't find your original photos in the location that Lightroom believes they are stored.

    When you import port photos to Lightroom, Lightroom (typically) copies the original files from your camera to a location you specify in your system. It stores this location in the catalog, and uses the original file to build smaller thumbnails and previews to display.

    If if you go outside of Lightroom and move, rename or delete files or folders that are referenced in your catalog, you'll get the results you're seeing. One should never use Windows File Explorer or Mac Finder to modify files outside of Lightroom for this reason.

    If you've moved the folder, or renamed it, you can point Lightroom at the new location:

    How to find missing photos in Photoshop Lightroom

    Mike

    Michael J. Hoffman
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    January 28, 2017

    I've moved this to the Lightroom forum.