Lightroom Classic doesn't open

[benoitalix]

Hi there,

I encounter a problem when launching Lightroom Classic on Windows since approximately 1 mounth.

When I click on the Lightroom Classic open button,  a loading spin appears during few seconds then nothing happens (the soft doesn't load/appears). The strange thing is that I'm able to see Lightroom working in the Windows task manager. The other strange thing is that Photoshop lauch well.

I tried :

• Every button that is possible (Lightroom.exe from C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Lightroom Classic or open button from the Create Cloud Desktop application)
• Execute Lightroom as administrator
• Downgrade Lightroom Classic to previous versions (13.0 and 12.0)
• Uninstall all Windows updates from 2024

My configuration :

• Lightroom - version 13.4
• Windows 11 - version 23H2

[GoldingD]

Try a restart of your computer first if you have not. A restart, not a shutdown.

above reply edited after I realized that the multiple instances of Creative Cloud in the background process was not an issue (I see the same on my rig)

[GoldingD]

I cannot quite notice in your video if you showed the folder your catalog is in, Can you close any running LrC , and using Windows File Explorer, show the folder your catalog is in. Wondering if a lock file did not get deleted upon proper closure of LrC (a crash or a force quit)

Yes, you are supposed to see an error message if this is the case. I often do not (and I have tested that)

[Ceryswyn]

I have the same issue, and same windows and LrC version as the OP.

None of the suggested resolutions do anything to mitigate the issue.

[AxelMatt]

The first thing that you should try is to switch off the GPU support from the Lightroom preferences and check if that helps to fix the issue. Go to Lightroom > Preferences > Performance tab > Uncheck "Use Graphics Processor" > Restart Lightroom.

https://helpx.adobe.com/lightroom-classic/kb/troubleshoot-gpu.html

If Lightroom doesn't start correctly the please see "Solution 2" in the document behind the link below. 

Troubleshoot GPU issues | Lightroom Classic (adobe.com)

Another step is to try to reset the Lightroom preferences.

https://www.lightroomqueen.com/how-do-i-reset-lightrooms-preferences/

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, we more informations about your system. Is it up-to-date? Do you have installed all recent updates and patches for the operating system and the device drivers, especially the graphic driver. If you have a NVidia graphic card installed, make sure that you are using the recent Studio version of the driver, not the Game Ready version.

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.

[benoitalix]

• Computer restart -> Still NOK
• Lock file -> No lock file found (check my screenshot) while task is running or not
• https://helpx.adobe.com/lightroom-classic/kb/troubleshoot-gpu.html#solution-2 -> Still NOK
• My System -> AMD Ryzen 7 5700X 8-Core Processor 3.40 GHz - 32GB RAM - GeForce RTX 3060 O12G LHR - Windows 11 Home 23H2 -- LR-Classic 13.4

Also make a huge upgrade of my GeForce pilots from 526.86 to  560.70 but still the same issue.

[GoldingD]

A couple of tests to attempt and see what occurs.

Note, can you take a video capture while attempting these, then include them in a reply.

I suspect the first test below will fail, but I recommend testing it out anyhow.

1. Starting LrC from Widows File Explorer. Bring up Windows File Explorer. Locate the catalog. Double click on it. This in case some odd issue exists with the shortcuts.

2. Starting a new catalog. To see if perhaps your catalog is corrupt. So corrupt that you do not get an error message. While holding down on the ALT key on your keyboard, click or double click on one of your LrC startup icons. This should bring up a LrC prompt asking you to select a catalog. In this case, select the button "Create a New Catalog"

 

[benoitalix]

@GoldingD alleluia !

Double click on the catalog file from Windows File Explorer unlocks the init of Lightroom. I can now load it from every button/link.

A big thanks for the help 🙏

[GoldingD]

Hmm, odd, I was expecting that would just show a possible issue, not fix it.

However, that brings up a point and a possible root cause.

I suspect, that if you bring up in LrC your /Preferences/General/ that you probably have the default value for the default catalog (to open) set to :Load most recent catalog"

If so, then your running the test/diagnostic of bringing up a catalog via a double click of the catalog from the OS File Manager (Windows File Explore, or MACOS Finder) fixed an issue with LrC  of what is the default catalog.knowledge

This makes me think your preference file might be getting corrupted. If you have additional issues moving on you might want to consider resetting the preference file. The preference file can get corrupted, leading to all sorts of odd behavior. Note this is not the same as restoring preferences settings to defaults. The preferences file handles more than that. But also note that resetting the preferences file can/will reset them to defaults, so just be aware of that and read the following links carefully.

• Reset Preferences | Adobe
• How do I reset Lightroom’s Preferences? | The Lightroom Queen

[benoitalix]

I confirm the default value for my default catalog is setted to "Load most recent catalog".

I take good note of your advice concerning the preferences file.

Thanks again !