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

[Oldun]

Perfect. Thankyou.

[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

[BKale1]

I have the same problems. Using Windows 11 (all updates installed), Latestes Lightroom Classic (all updates) updated video drivers and everything I can think of.  Rolled Windows updates back to last time LRC worked, rolled back versions of LRC, uninstalled, reinstalled multiple times, deleted all folder associated with LRC and nothing seems to work. The Alt+Shift doesn't work.  Signed out of ACC and back in multiple times.  All other Adobe products working normal.  What am I missing??? 

[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.

[Dave26399078kkgf]

Thanks for the fast reply, but there is no sign of Lightroom Classic
running in the background with Task Manager.

Again, Lightroom Classic is running fine when I uninstalled the
latest window 10 update 20H2.

I've done this 4 times.

Any other ideas?

[ChevyDK]

I'm haven't the same issue for months, and only thing that is "working" for me, is to start Lr from the catalog file. 
I am wondering why Adobe has not fixed this issue yet 😞

[daveklis]

I had the same issue with Windows 11.  What worked for me, was to install Norton Utilities Ultimate.  It cleaned up registry issues and Light Room Classic right away.

It might be worth a try.  You can cancel the utility if it doesn't work.

[Buffalogrr]

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?

[GoldingD]

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

By @Buffalogrr

see:

How do I reset Lightroom’s Preferences? | Lightroom Queen

or

Set preferences for working in Lightroom Classic | Adobe

[alexs13036387]

i tried everything: lock, renaming with old, log out, reinstal, update to win 11 ... nothing

[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.