Images Not Visible Upon Importing to Library

[1_Ms._Kay]

After importing images into a new catalog, they are not showing up visibly. I have to shut LR down, then reopen in order to see the images I just imported. This has never happened before. I use Lightroom Classic on MacOS Tahoe 26.1. It only began after I updated the latest version of Lightroom Classic 15.0.1 The images are all there, but it's not very productive to have to shut down, then restart the program. Is anyone else experiencing this issue? Any solutions?

[AxelMatt]

Try first a reset of the preferences of Lightroom Classic:  How to reset Lightroom Classic preferences (adobe.com)

It's recommended to backup your preferences before you reset the preferences to the default settings: 

https://helpx.adobe.com/lightroom-classic/kb/preference-file-and-other-file-locations.html

If this doesn't help, please provide a copy of your 'System Info'. This can be get from the LrC Help > System Info menu item. There's a copy button in the System Info dialog. Press this button and paste the info into your next forum post.

[1_Ms._Kay]

Thank you so much AxelMatt! That helped. I'm very grateful! Thank you!

[1_Ms._Kay]

Hi. So, I thought this was a solution for me, but it turns out that it's still not working. After importing images, I can't see the previews. I have to totally shut down and restart in order to see them. And the "fetching previews" are never fetched. So, I'm going to follow your instructions for the next option. Here is my System Info:

Lightroom Classic version: 15.1 [ 202512101606-1bb801a8 ]
License: Creative Cloud
Language setting: en-US
Operating system: Mac OS 26
Version: 26.1.0 [25B78]
Application architecture: arm64
Logical processor count: 14
Processor speed: NA
SqLite Version: 3.36.0
Adobe GSDK Version: 1.4.0.171

Power Source: Plugged In, 80%
Built-in memory: 24,576.0 MB
Dedicated GPU memory used by Lightroom: 166.3MB / 18,186.2MB (0%)
Real memory available to Lightroom: 24,576.0 MB
Real memory used by Lightroom: 1,395.5 MB (5.6%)
Virtual memory used by Lightroom: 426,979.2 MB
Memory cache size: 0.0MB
Internal Camera Raw version: 18.1 [ 2420 ]
Maximum thread count used by Camera Raw: 5
Camera Raw SIMD optimization: SSE2
Camera Raw virtual memory: 8MB / 12287MB (0%)
Camera Raw real memory: 10MB / 24576MB (0%)

Cache1:
NT- RAM:0.0MB, VRAM:0.0MB, Combined:0.0MB

Cache2:
m:0.0MB, n:0.0MB

U-main: 132.0MB

Standard Preview Size: 3840 pixels
Displays: 1) 3840x2160, 2) 3456x2234

Graphics Processor Info:
Metal: Apple M4 Pro
Init State: GPU for Export supported by default
User Preference: Auto
Enable HDR in Library: OFF
GPU for Preview Generation: Auto (S5_17)

Application folder: /Applications/Adobe Lightroom Classic
Library Path: /Volumes/CPP/_REMOTE WORK/Complete Post-Production/_ASSIGNMENTS/WORK CATALOGS/STL_Ogden/STL_Ogden.lrcat
Settings Folder: /Users/kayanders/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Lightroom

Installed Plugins:
1) AdobeStock
2) Aperture/iPhoto Importer Plug-in
3) Flickr

Config.lua flags:

[1_Ms._Kay]

This is my second time posting this issue. I thought it was resolved, but it hasn't been. After importing photos into my LR Catalog, I see the attached screenshot. There has been no changes in what I do daily, with the exception of upgrading my Mac to Tahoe 26. This seems to be the only thing I've done differently since having this issue. Can anyone PLEASE help? (see attached screenshot)

[Sameer K]

Hey, @1_Ms._Kay. Thanks for the updated. In the previous system info you've shared, the catalog is stored at this location:

/Volumes/CPP/_REMOTE WORK/Complete Post-Production/_ASSIGNMENTS/WORK CATALOGS/STL_Ogden/STL_Ogden.lrcat

I suppose this is a network-associated drive, and Lightroom Catalog won't function as expected from a network location. Please head to File > New Catalog and create a new catalog on the internal drive of your machine. Then, check how it goes. 

Thanks!

Sameer K
(Type '@' and type my name to mention me when you reply)

[1_Ms._Kay]

Hi Sameer,

This is just an external hard drive that I use to keep all of my images on; not a network location. It has absolutely nothing to do with the problem, as I've been using it for years and the problem only started recently. I use several external hard drives for photos and none of them have ever had this issue until now. I created a new catalog on a different hard drive and have the same problem. 

[Anshul_Saini]

Hi @1_Ms._Kay,

Thanks for the detailed follow-up and for sticking with this. I understand how disruptive this is. To isolate the root cause, we need one controlled test:

– Create a new catalog on your internal Macintosh HD (not just a different external drive)

– Import a small test set (10–20 photos)

– Check whether previews appear immediately without restarting Lightroom

This is not intended as a permanent workaround, but it helps confirm whether the issue is related to external-volume preview/cache handling in Tahoe.

Additional checks to try (short and safe):

• Go to Catalog Settings > Previews

– Set Standard Preview Size to Auto

– Set Preview Quality to Medium

– Temporarily disable Automatically discard 1:1 previews

Select Catalog> All Photographs, then go to Library menu > Previews > Build Standard-Sized Previews, and see if they generate or stay stuck at “Fetching previews”.

Thanks for your patience. I know this is frustrating, and we do want to get this properly addressed.

Best regards,

Anshul Saini

[1_Ms._Kay]

Hi Anshul,

I did the test and created a temp catalog on my internal Mac HD and the previews appeared immediately without restarting Lightroom. Will creating a catalog on an external hard drive be an issue going forward? ALL of my catalogs are on my external hard drives and I have never had this problem until now. Is there a solution?

Thank you for your help.
Kind regards,
Kay

[Sameer K]

Thanks for sharing the update. This could indicate a drive failure or a potential access issue with the external drive. 

First, disconnect all the external drives. Connect one drive at a time and go to Utilities, then Disk Utilities & use First Aid on each drive.

Follow Apple's documentation: https://adobe.ly/4qtPT67

Once you're sure all the drives have been checked by the First Aid process, make sure Lightroom Classic has the required Full Disk access on macOS: https://adobe.ly/48HYY5p

Please let me know if the issues persist afterwards. Thanks!

Sameer K
(Type '@' and type my name to mention me when you reply)