Skip to main content
P
pascalr57489721
Inspiring
September 30, 2017
Answered

Import freezes Lightroom

  • September 30, 2017
  • 3 replies
  • 969 views

Hey there,

I have trouble importing a folder into Lightroom.

I have Lightroom installed on a MacBook and my pictures on a USB drive.

I created a brand new catalog and wanted to import an oder picture folder with pictures from 2010.

It were about 20000 files, which were identified by the import dialog of Lightroom.

Import startet normally. But after a while the fan of the MacBook increased its speed an the MacBook became really warm - like when using a very intense app.

But when I checked the import, Lightroom seemed to have frozen and nothing happened any more.

So after a while I killed Lightroom and opened it again. The import was 1/3 done.

I wanted to continue, but always ran into the same problem - no more pictures were imported and Lightroom froze.

I checked the folder content. Only jpg files.

I created a new Catalog on the MacBook harddrive and tried to import into this catalog. Same problem. 1/3 imported than frozen.

Any ideas?

Thanks

Pascal

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer pascalr57489721

    So, after localizing the troubling folder, I did a work around.

    I imported the folder into Mac Fotos (without any problems!!!) and then exported it to a new folder.

    This new folder could then be imported into Lightroom.

    Now 2010 is completely imported into Lightroom...

    ...what a long weekend it took...

    3 replies

    P
    pascalr57489721AuthorCorrect answer
    Inspiring
    October 2, 2017

    So, after localizing the troubling folder, I did a work around.

    I imported the folder into Mac Fotos (without any problems!!!) and then exported it to a new folder.

    This new folder could then be imported into Lightroom.

    Now 2010 is completely imported into Lightroom...

    ...what a long weekend it took...

    P
    pascalr57489721Author
    Inspiring
    October 2, 2017

    Did some more testing.

    I narrowed it down to one folder that makes the trouble.

    There are only jpg in that folder.

    I can view them all in Macs Preview. So no visible damage of the filesystem or a file.

    But when I try to get it into Lightroom, I can already see within the Import Window, that I have a problem, since it does not show me the previews of the files. It shows me, that it found 148 files, but the thumbnails stay gray.

    When I click import, it looks like this, but nothing happens:

    I can stop the import process with the X next to the process bar on the top left - after that I get the info that no picture was imported.

    I also copied the troubling folder from mit USB drive to the MacBook and tried the import from there. Same situation - like you see in the screenshots.

    Any ideas?

    dj_paige
    dj_paige
    Legend
    September 30, 2017

    Import the photos in smaller batches.

    P
    pascalr57489721Author
    Inspiring
    October 1, 2017

    I tried that - even though I never had problems with this number of files. My 2011 folder has the same size and imported without any problems into a different catalog.
    The import still does not work this way. Some folders of 2010 work, others do not.

    I already thought, if it could be a problem with the harddrive - and a section with 2010 data is damaged. But I see no other signs for that. I can open the folders in Finder and see the images - even though I am not able to test them all. And the import dialog seems to see and find them also. The problem starts, when I hit the import button. Up till then everything looks normal.

    dj_paige
    dj_paige
    Legend
    October 1, 2017

    This sounds to me like a problem where the CPU gets overheated, and that's why the fans run. You might want to check to make sure that ALL of the fans are working properly, and that there is not one (or more) that has died.

    And you can try to import in even smaller batches.

    Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
    Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices