Latest update v12.3 broke Lightroom 6 Classic

[bluemoehre]

After updating my Lightroom to the latest version 12.3 last Thursday, unfortunately nothing works anymore.

Right after the update I got the new notice "Hey, we connected our Adobe ID thing to your Lightroom .... - new tracking, new cloud whatever ..."

Since this moment I can see the Lightroom spashscreen for <10s, then it crashes.

I think I've tried all the tips from this forum, plus a very nice chat with support:

- rename all cache folders

- delete plugins folder (face recognition)

- setup a second admin account

- run as administrator

- manipulating config (set "autobahn" to false)

... still not working.

I want to ask Adobe:

Why do you guys patch an end-of-life product, break it and then claim there is no more support and no way to roll it back? (yes, they literally removed the previous version's install options from CCD).

Remote code changes for a product originally running offline with a lifetime license model and not being responsible for putting hard working people in bad situations is a bit.... "unfair" (to put it politely). 

Anyhow I would love to see more hints to get it back up running, since I need to finish a project asap.

Alternativly I would try to install the previous version if someone tells me how to downgrade.

P.S.: running on a Win10x64, i5-12600k, 32GB, AMD RX 480, multiple m2 SSDs

[Rikk Flohr: Photography]

Moving to discussions

Bugs are not fileable for out-of-support products or versions older than the current: As of this writing that is version 12.3 of Lightroom Classic.

"…Why do you guys patch an end-of-life product,…"

The last change to Lightroom 6 code was December of 2017. 

The final download for Lightroom 6.14 is available here until 12.31.2023: https://helpx.adobe.com/lightroom-classic/help/lightroom-6-end-of-support.html 

[bluemoehre]

Hi Rikk,

thanks for your reply. But then I am not sure what was patched. I was required to re-auth my license in LRc after CPU/Ram change. So I started Creative Cloud Desktop. Then a new update for Lightroom was showing up, which I installed. Since then nothing works anymore. 

So what exactly was patched? Can I check/provide some log which helps us to find out what went wrong?

[bluemoehre]

Just to clear things up... LR states it is a Lightroom 6 at version 12.3.

Maybe I was wrong calling it "classic" since I saw that version somewhere listed with that name.

[Rob_Cullen]

When Adobe upgraded Lightroom v6.14 (Perpetual, local disk based) to Version 7 they changed the App name to Lightroom-Classic. Thus all versions 7,8,9,10,11,12 are called Lightroom-Classic.

Lightroom v6.14 was available as 'perpetual' and required a Serial Registration Number and online activation.

All versions 7 and later are by subscription only (installed by the CC Desktop App).

AND if you install the Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop App (eg. to try an upgrade or a demo, eg. 12.4) then v6.14  will also be converted to the subscription version (CC2015? IIRC).

If you want to return to v6.14 (without a subscription) you will need to clean your system of Adobe products with -

CLEANER TOOL LINK

Then re-install 6.14 from the link given by Rikk Flohr in the post above.

Or better yet- subscribe to the Photography Plan (20GB) and get v12.4 with Photoshop, Lightroom-Mobile, etc, 'thrown in'.

$9.99 PHOTOGRAPHY PLAN (USA)

[bluemoehre]

The thing I would prefer is to get the app back running, since it keeps crashing on startup. All my projects are there and I can not afford a regular monthly abo which will be around 144€/y which is already the double price of the original license I own. Also if you just use it for like twice events a year (some friends wedding or a holiday trip) and keep working on photos just time by time, since you have family and a job - its way too expensive. Sorry Adobe, that abo only makes sense for professionals or enthusiasts.

I already tried a clean install, but the same is happening again: after getting it patched it is no more working.

This is totally a mess and also feels a bit awkward to break a running software by cloud update from my point of view. =(

[Rob_Cullen]

"I already tried a clean install, but the same is happening again: after getting it patched it is no more working."

Explain "no more working". And more details about "crashing", although, with that, I cannot be of more help.

Having re-installed, it is quite possible you have exceeded the number of 'Activations' allowed.

You will only be able to have the Activations 'Reset' by contact with Adobe Support- See the Correct Answer in this forum link-

Activation or Deactivation versions of Lightroom

[bluemoehre]

After weeks I could now manage to get my LR back running:

• backuped my catalogs
• uninstalled LR via Adobe Creative Cloud
• uninstalled Creative Cloud
• removed everything which seems to be related with lightroom
• downloaded Lightroom_6_LS11.exe
• ran the installer and installed everything again

From now on I always get a dialog (no matter what I select), telling me I need to update for Mobile Devices Sync. It leads me to https://creativecloud.adobe.com/apps/updates but there are no updates left. Besides that LR seems now fine. 

[Rob_Cullen]

Version 6.14 WAS 'Mobile / Cloud' capable when it was supported by Adobe.

That is no longer the case. v6.14 cannot use any form of sync, but it could still give you the 'now redundant' message re "mobile devices".- ignore!!