Lightroom Classic won't launch

[hughes_nz]

I can't get Lightroom Classic to launch. When I try to I get spinning wheel while the computer thinks about it for a second then nothing happens, but Lightroom Classic shows up as a Background Process in Task Manager. This only happens with Lightroom Classic, I also have Photoshop and Lightroom (not classic) and both of those work with no issue. I have tried un-installing + reinstalling including using Adobe Creative Cloud Cleaner but always with the same result (everything except Lightroom Classic works). Is anyone able to help or experienced something similar? Details below.

Creative Cloud 5.3.1.470

Lightroom Classic 10.0

Windows 10 Pro Version 20H2

[Todd Shaner · Accepted solution]

You may have a corrupt Preferences file, which does not get deleted during an uninstall. Close the Lightroom Classic instance in task manager and then hold down the ALT and SHIFT keys and click on the LrC shortcut. When prompted click Yes to reset Preferences.

EDIT: I forgot to add that the Reset Preferences prompt is a small dialougue box, which may be hidden behind other windows. If you don't see it try minimizing or closing all other open windows.

[hughes_nz]

This worked perfectly, thank you very much!

[Todd Shaner]

Glad to hear that worked. To get LrC back to the previous state you'll need to re-enter any changes you had made to LrC Preferences and reinstall any plugins you were using.

[elleove]

Hey Todd. 

I'm having the same issue but using a Mac computer, how can I solve this way?

[GoldingD]

Can you please post your own posting on this issue?

Why you ask? Because:

• Original posting a good year old, things change, solutions change
• Your OS is MACOS, original is Windows, different OS can have different resolutions
• Different version of LrC, Original posting was v10.0, sice then v10.1, 10.2, and now a major change v11. Various bugs fixed along the way, and maybe new bugs introduced

When you do post your own posting, please, please, it will be very helpful if you include more system info, following is my SOP on how to do that

______________________

Please post your System Information as Lightroom Classic (LrC) reports it. In LrC click on Help, then System Info, then Copy. Paste that information into a reply. Please present all information from first line down to and including Plug-in Info. Info after Plug-in info can be cut as that is just so much dead space to us non-Techs.

[Caleb5D1B]

Thank you so much Todd! This was drivng me crazy and your solution is the only thing that actually worked! Much appreciated. 

[AK-ArtPhoto]

I've been having this problem for 5 months. I've checked periodically and still unable to run LRC on my Mac. I've reset preferences, updated OS, updated LRC, granted full disk access, granted read/write access to folders/cache/etc and every suggestion I found from Adobe. I'm not sure if I'm the only one for whom none of these have worked.

[Amy270752444d14]

Mine has had the same issue, nothing works, very very frustrating! I had to switch to the cloud Lightroom and I do not like it! If anyone has any answers please help!

[Vic-86]

I realize this thread is a bit old but the ALT SHIFT thing does not work here. Any other ideas?

Thanks

[Alan24803472txs5]

Any other solutions here, having the exact same problem, ALT SHIFT doesn't give me the options documented. Windows 11. Thanks anyone who can help,

[Alan24803472txs5]

Solved this by uninstalling, and the manually deleting the folder under \pictures\lightroom and then doing a reinstall.

Program now launches from Creative Cloud as well App shortcut.

[GoldingD]

1. Lock file

https://helpx.adobe.com/lightroom-classic/kb/lightroom-error-catalog-cannot-be-opened-lrcat-lock.htm...

[GoldingD]

2. Odd communication issue

Bring up your copy of Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop App. Sign out, sign in.

[robertpbrisbane]

Hi, I am having the same issues as hughs_nz, but I am on the latrest version. None of the suggested fixes below worked for me. I have signed in and out, uninstalled and reinstalled with no success. It all worked fine last week but today...very frustrating. I am using windows 10 PC.

[lloydy110]

Did you get it to work in the end?

[Lingaloo]

Hello I have a similar thing. I click on Lightroom classic shortcut and nothing happens. I've ended task in taskmaster and then tried shift and alt but no preference box appears. Needing help! Have a job to deliver by tommorrow. Thanks

[robertpbrisbane]

Hi,

Look in your lightroom folder for the latest catalogue and double click on
that. That's what I have to do now to open Lightroom.

[ChevyDK]

Me too, and its damn anoying

[Ted Abundant]

I have found the solution for me. I am unable to open via the usual file program link so each time I have to open the program via the catalog .lrcat file. I just created a shortcut and placed it on my desktop so that it now works when I open that file. I tried uninstalling and remove files etc, even had an Adobe tech spend over 1 hour working on it and that is the best solution. 

Example Location
1. Find "C:\Users\me\OneDrive\Pictures\Lightroom\Lightroom CatalogNEW\Lightroom CatalogNEW-v10.lrcat" 

2. Right click and "create shortcut"

3. Move file to desktop and rename as LIGHTROOM.

4. Open new file to run Lightroom.

[ChevyDK]

Same here. I hope this will get fixes in a coming update!

[Holbrook PC]

I am having this same issue and have tried all the various suggestions to no avail.  

All Windows 11 updates completed, Preferences reset, ACC up to date, LrC 11.4.1.

Any other ideas?

[ChevyDK]

Sorry, I don't have a solution. 
my LrC is only able to start using the Catalog file as a start button. 
I hope Adobe fixes this issue very soon.

[Dave26399078kkgf]

I have the same problem as descripted by hughes_nz, but the solution does not work.  I've restored my computer from a backup to before Windows 10 20H2 and Lightroom classic works fine.  Do have another suggestion?

HELP!

[Vic-86]

The only solution I have for this is to start Task Manager and end Adobe Lightroom, which for some reason is still running in spite of being closed.

Fortunately this has been happening less often.