Lightroom Classic v14.5.1 hangs up

[JonCGC]

This problem just started today.  First noticed the problem when trying to export.  As soon as export is selected, LR stops responding and becomes non-responsive.  The only way out is to Force Quit the program.  Even if LR is started, and then I try to exit the program, it hangs up and I have to do a Force Quit.

Ive tried deleting LR from the CC app and reinstalling it, to no avail.  I've tried downgrading to an earlier version and same thing happens.  I can't create a new catalog or switch to another catalog without it hanging.  

I have no idea where to go from here!

Macbook Pro 15-inch, 2018

Processor: 2.6 GHz 6-Core Intel Core i7

Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 630 1536 MB

Memory: 32 GB 2400 MHz DDR4

[johnrellis]

Please do the LR menu command Help > System Info and copy/paste the entire contents here so we can see exactly which versions of hardware and software LR thinks you're running and important LR options that are set.

[JonCGC]

Ah yes, I should have thought to do this!!

Lightroom Classic version: 14.5.1 [ 202508231203-c2638d01 ]
License: Creative Cloud
Language setting: en-CA
Operating system: Mac OS 15
Version: 15.7.1 [24G231]
Application architecture: x64
Logical processor count: 12
Processor speed: 2.6GHz
SqLite Version: 3.36.0
Power Source: Plugged In, 100%
Built-in memory: 32,768.0 MB
Dedicated GPU memory used by Lightroom: 183.8MB / 4,096.0MB (4%)
Real memory available to Lightroom: 32,768.0 MB
Real memory used by Lightroom: 1,906.7 MB (5.8%)
Virtual memory used by Lightroom: 46,467.3 MB
Memory cache size: 223.9MB
Internal Camera Raw version: 17.5 [ 2318 ]
Maximum thread count used by Camera Raw: 5
Camera Raw SIMD optimization: SSE2,AVX,AVX2
Camera Raw virtual memory: 46MB / 16383MB (0%)
Camera Raw real memory: 47MB / 32768MB (0%)

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

Cache2:
m:223.9MB, n:0.0MB

U-main: 136.0MB

Standard Preview Size: 3360 pixels
Displays: 1) 3360x2100

Graphics Processor Info:
Metal: AMD Radeon Pro 560X
Init State: GPU for Image Processing supported by default
User Preference: Auto
Enable HDR in Library: OFF
GPU for Preview Generation: Off (S3_4)

Application folder: /Applications/Adobe Lightroom Classic
Library Path: /Users/jonclarke/Pictures/Jons Photos/Lightroom/Lightroom Catalog-2020-v13-3.lrcat
Settings Folder: /Users/jonclarke/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Lightroom

Installed Plugins:
1) AdobeStock
2) Aperture/iPhoto Importer Plug-in
3) ColorChecker Camera Calibration
4) DxO PhotoLab 2
5) DxO PhotoLab 2 Importer
6) Flickr
7) HDR Efex Pro 2
8) Helicon Focus Export
9) ON1 Effects 2023
10) ON1 Photo RAW 2017
11) ON1 Resize 2017
12) Reblum

Config.lua flags:

[johnrellis]

"As soon as export is selected, LR stops responding and becomes non-responsive."

1. Do you mean LR stops responding immediately after you do the menu command File > Export...?  Does the Export settings window open? If this is what you're seeing, try resetting LR's preferences:
https://www.lightroomqueen.com/articles-page/how-do-i-reset-lightrooms-preferences/

LR sometimes soils its preferences file, and resetting it can fix all sorts of wonky behavior. That article explains how to restore the old preferences if resetting doesn't help.

2. Or do you mean that LR stops responding after it actually starts exporting the first photo (after clicking the Export button at the bottom of the Export settings window).

If this is what you're seeing, try setting Preferences > Performance > Use Graphics Processor to Off. 

In addition to the integrated Intel GPU, your Intel Mac has a Radeon GPU:

"Metal: AMD Radeon Pro 560X
Init State: GPU for Image Processing supported by default"

In the past year or so, there have been many problems reported with LR on Intel Macs running AMD 500- and 5000-series GPUs, most probably caused by bugs in the AMD graphics driver.  After more than 6 months, Apple released a new version of Mac OS containing an updated graphics driver that fixed some of these problems, but there continues to be a trickle of reports here about continuing issues.  Unfortunately, old GPU chipsets on Intel Macs are not a priority for either Apple or AMD (Apple would prefer Intel Macs disappear as soon as possible.)

You might try disabling the integrated Intel GPU, which Adobe recommends. I'm doubtful that would address your problem, but it's worth a try; see step 5 of solution 4:

https://helpx.adobe.com/lightroom-classic/kb/troubleshoot-gpu.html#solution-4

[JonCGC]

Wow, THANKS so much for your detailed answer.....unfortunately none of these things helped!

1. The hangup occurs as soon as I click FIle>Export.  I see the Export dialog box, but can't select a preset nor can I start the export.  I have to do a Force Quit to get out of LR.

2. I tried resetting the preferences to no avail.  (I wish i had seen the article you referenced BEFORE I did it,  so I could have saved my preferences, but alas, I didn't!)

3. I tried disabling the integrated GPU as described in your last suggestion, but that didn't work either.

4. I'm totally out of ideas at this point, and am on the verge of deleting everything Adobe on my computer and starting over.  Its SO frustrating!  In the past when I've had (minor) issues, uninstalling the LR app from the CC app has done the trick, but something is different this time!

[johnrellis]

"The hangup occurs as soon as I click FIle>Export.  I see the Export dialog box, but can't select a preset nor can I start the export.  I have to do a Force Quit to get out of LR."

1. Did you try disabling the GPU by setting Preferences > Performance > Use Graphics Processor to Off?

2. Maybe you have a "poison" export preset that's causing LR indigestion. Go to Preferences > Presets  and click Show All Other Lightroom Presets. That will open Finder on the Lightroom settings folder.  Exit LR. Rename the subfolder "Export Presets" to "Export Presets.old".  Restart LR.  Can you now invoke File > Export?

[JonCGC]

1. Yes, I tried disabling the GPU to no avail.

2. I thought your idea fo the "poison" export preset might be a good one.  Unfortunately, It didn't work.  I was able to bring up the export dialog box, but couldn't choose a folder to export to.  I just opted to export to the desktop, and hit OK.  The progress bar appeared at the top left as usual, but no progress happened.  Even after leaving it for 15 minutes.  

I also tested Importing, and it doesn't work either.  I can't change Catalogs or create a new catalog.  Editing in the develop module seems to work as usual.  

Maybe its a computer issue and not an Adobe issue?  Do you think doing a Time Machine restore from a backup done a week ago would help?

[johnrellis · Accepted solution]

There are two nuclear steps narrowing down whether this is a computer problem or something with your LR installation:

1. In the Mac's System Settings, go to Users & Groups and add a new Administrator user.  Log into that user account and try creating a catalog and importing and exporting a couple test pics.  LR squirrels away all sorts of information in hidden user Library folders, and it doesn't always get reset properly.  Creating a new user will avoid all such old, possibly corrupt information.

If that doesn't work,

2. Completely uninstall all Creative Cloud apps using the Creative Cloud Cleaner tool:

https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/apps/troubleshoot/diagnostics-repair-tools/run-creative-cloud... 

Then reinstall the Creative Cloud desktop app:

https://helpx.adobe.com/download-install/apps/download-install-apps/creative-cloud-apps/download-cre... 

Then reinstall LR Classic and other CC apps using the desktop app.

[JonCGC]

Aha!  I created a new user, and I'm now able to create a new catalog, import, & export!!!

so I guess it's not a hardware problem!  So what do you suggest I do next to recover my original stuff?  Do I go back to my original user and delete all CC apps and reinstall (as you described in step2)? Will my original library be lost?

[johnrellis]

You could try running the Creative Cloud Cleaner tool. It won't delete your catalogs, photos, or presets.

If that doesn't help, then if your catalog and photos are under Documents or Pictures in your old account, you'll have to move them into the new account.  Ditto for all your presets.  That will be tedious, similar to moving to a new computer.  This free ebook gives a thorough step-by-step:

https://www.lightroomqueen.com/moving-lightroom-free-ebook/

[JonCGC]

Ok, I'll give this a try!  Thank you SO much for all your help!

[JonCGC]

So I just wanted to add some information to this issue.  This has been an unmitigated disaster for me!  I have lost all my LR and PS presets and actions.  I spent 2 hours sharing my screen with Adobe Tech Support and they left me no better off than i was.  They downgraded me to a VERY old version of LR, that seems to work.  But it is so old it doesn't read my catalogue, so 10+ years of edits are gone.  They OF COURSE blamed it on Apple and said it isn't an Adobe problem.  It is CLEARLY not a computer issue, because if I make a new user, I can run the latest version of LR with no problems.  It seems obvious to me that Adobe has corrupted a file someplace that isn't cleaned by Uninstalling or running CC Cleanup Tool.  I tried that, and Adobe Tech support tried that, to no avail.  This is NOT a good look for Adobe!

[sadia_0355]

Glad you shared the full specs — that really helps narrow things down! Looks like your setup is solid, so the issue might be elsewhere. Did updating the plugins or cache settings make any difference?

[JonCGC]

No, unfortunately it didn't work to update plugins or cache.