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Inspiring
February 20, 2017
Answered

I relinked the wrong photo in Lightroom! How do I fix?

  • February 20, 2017
  • 3 replies
  • 4116 views

Recently I got the "! - File Could Not Be Found" warning in Lightroom, so I did a quick search and relinked the photo. BUT ... it was the wrong photo with the same name!

How can I relink the photo to the correct photo?

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Bob Somrak

You could use your OS to temporarily MOVE the incorrectly linked photo to another folder and then it will show as missing.  Then you could link to the correct photo and then move the incorrectly linked photo back to its original location.  This will maintain all your edits and metadata.  There may be as easier way but this was my quick and dirty method..

3 replies

Todd Shaner
Legend
May 29, 2021

"There may be as easier way but this was my quick and dirty method.. "

 

Another way to do this without moving and then replacing the file is to change the filename  to something like IMG_9999.CR2.HIDE. Once disassociated simply delete the .HIDE from the filename.

Participant
May 29, 2021

Bob's fix is great - I do want to offer an alternate/ additional solution. 

 

I was dealing with duplicate file names that were confusing my import. My fix was to re-name (in bulk) the files that imported accidentally  (highlighting them all, "rename" and adding a tag to the end of each name) thus, batch re-naming. 

 

This broke the link between lightroom and the imported files and I was able to re-link to the correct ones! 

 

Hope this helps anyone if they find themselves in the same place! 

Bob Somrak
Bob SomrakCorrect answer
Legend
February 20, 2017

You could use your OS to temporarily MOVE the incorrectly linked photo to another folder and then it will show as missing.  Then you could link to the correct photo and then move the incorrectly linked photo back to its original location.  This will maintain all your edits and metadata.  There may be as easier way but this was my quick and dirty method..

M4 Pro Mac Mini. 48GB
jkaiser77Author
Inspiring
February 20, 2017

Thanks, Bob. I'll use that as a backup option if I have to.

I'm really surprised there isn't a "relink" option buried deep somewhere...

Participant
August 11, 2017

I agree!