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

[GoldingD]

Deleted, extra reply, my bad

[alexs13036387]

i will, but it's not about ram, gpu etc... until yesterday worked fine, today i couldnt open it. it didnt happen after an update, just from one day to another..

[GoldingD]

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

All Windows 11 updates completed, unable preferences reset, ACC up to date, LrC 11.4.1. Used and deleted LRC Downloader.  Sometimes, I get three instances of LRC running in the Task Manager...neither seems to start the program. 

1. Where is the preferences file; i'll delete it myself and 2. Any other ideas?

By @Buffalogrr

This is a 3 year old posting that you are adding into.Their have been several LrC updates since then, including the latest one that might be the problem. Also several updates/upgrades to computer Operating systems (and if you are MAC, the last one could be a problem)

So please post your own discussion. When you do, include at a minimum:

• OS version
• LrC version
• CPU 
• RAM
• GPU make/model
• GPU driver version

[Tredunzo]

Today, for the first time, LrC would not open from the desktop shortcut. I tried restarting the computer several times (Windows 11) which did not work. I came here and followed the Shift-Alt solution, which did not work either.

I went to the taskbar and opened Hidden Icons and clicked on the Abobe Creative Cloud desktop icon. That opened a window containing clickable icons for all of my Abobe programs. I double-clicked the LrC icon and Lightroom opened right up. I hope that helps someone.

[Joakim_R]

This just happened to me. It seems to happen for different reasons for everyone.

I just waited for the next app update, and it was right as rain. But this wasn't before I had uninstalled, reinstalled, moved folders...

[Steven296189860710]

@hughes_nz , That is very same diagnosis that i have too, everything else works like Adobe Lightroom CC & Adobe Photoshop but just not Adobe Lightroom Classic.

But my Question to @Todd Shaner is how do i "Save your work" on Lightroom Classic, if cant even open your Lightroom Classic to do so, plus i have nothing i want to save all my images are exported from Lightroom Classic, i am Frustratedly waiting to get onto Lightroom Classic (which i pay £9.80 for) to edit some RAW Files of White Throathed Dippers, that i am Very Excited to see what i have Created, but i cant!! 

[bthompson87]

Hi all,

For me it turned out to be a bad catalouge file that the program was trying to open on with default. I found my folder with all my other catalouge files and then was able to open Lightroom Classic by clicking on those catalouge file links. 

[Gary32476506mk7g]

Todd, your answer seems to be incomplete. "then hold down the ALT and SHIFT keys and click on the LrC shortcut."

Hold down the keys where? What am I supposed to select? What is the LrC shortcut? Where am I supposed to find this? I am on a 2023 machine with a web based LR

[GoldingD]

Todd, your answer seems to be incomplete. "then hold down the ALT and SHIFT keys and click on the LrC shortcut."

Hold down the keys where? What am I supposed to select? What is the LrC shortcut? Where am I supposed to find this? I am on a 2023 machine with a web based LR

By @Gary32476506mk7g

On your keyboard, use one finger to press down the ALT key, use another to press down on the SHIFT key, (do not let go) and use your mouse to click (double click?) on then icon on your desktop, or down in your taskbar, that is the LrC shortcut. (then release those buttons).

[eziogianni]

still not opening

[Bill.R]

When I encountered this issue, it was not the preferences file - it was a corrupt database.  I renamed the latest database, made a copy of the last backup file, and renamed that to the original database file name.  Then it launched fine.  Hopefully, you let the backup run every week or so...

[eziogianni]

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.

nothing happens

[Del P]

Old thread, but using Google turns up this page as top when looking to find out why Lightroom Classic won't open.
Solution for me was as others mentioned - 
Delete (I moved mine out of the lightroom folder just in case I still needed them) the catalogue files, then extract the last backed up catalogue file and place that into the folder where you removed the current catalogue file.  Then open Lightroom and you are back in business.

[RichKessler3]

I realize this is an extremely old thread, but this issue popped up for me today.  I tried the fix as described and it works.... until I want to open a different catalog.  

Thoughts?