Participating Frequently

Question

Lightroom Classic won't open on M2 mac - splash screen then closes

Forum|Forum|2 years ago
March 16, 2023
8 replies
2255 views

Running a new MacBook Pro M2 running Ventura 31.2.1. with Lightroom Classic 12.2.1. Lightroom Classic opens for a few seconds then closes. I've trashed the pref files, which didn't work. I've signed out/in and rebooted, which didn't work. I note the "Lightroom Classic CC 7 Startup Preference.agprefs" file (in Library/Application Support/Adobe/Lightroom/Preferences) seems to update each time I try to open LR Classic. Tried trashing it, too, with no luck (it creates a new file then closes). I've migrated my catalog and image files and need to reconnect everything, but I cannot seem to do this without actually opening Lighroom Classic.

Grateful for support. So frustrated with Lightroom after days of issues; I'm close to completely replacing it....

macOS

This topic has been closed for replies.

D

defaulthb9m42t3bbn2

Participating Frequently

I am also having this problem and have tried everything. Did you ever figure out a solution?!!?

GoldingD

Legend

So migration assistant, hence the old preference file got copied, and an uninstall reinstall will not have replaced that preference file.

When the splash screen comes up, does it get to the point where it states reading preference file, then perhaps stalls forever or crashes?

Have you considered that the preference file is corrupt. Have you considered resetting it?

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

D

David28672907qm0gAuthor

Participating Frequently

Thank you GoldingD! The splash screen does say @"Reading preferences" or similar just before closing.

Thank you for the link: I've tried both a preferences reset on launching LRC and a manual removal of the pref files following the instructions. Neither one worked unfortunately. Still unable to get Lightroom Classic to open. 😞

D

David28672907qm0gAuthor

Participating Frequently

... Wanted to add that the following advice from lightroomqueen was unclear:

"Note on manual removal: You need to remove (delete or move) all the Lightroom Classic and Lightroom 6 (and earlier) .plist / .agprefs files. If you just delete the Lightroom Classic CC 7 file, LR will read preferences from the earlier-version files."

There are many .plist and .agprefs files in the preference folder for adobe apps even through they don't say "lightroom" etc in the name. I have left these alone.

Ian Lyons

Community Expert

@Tessa288894707bf6

If you haven't already done so, then try the procedure described in below Adobe document

https://helpx.adobe.com/lightroom-classic/kb/lightroom-not-launching-after-splash-screen.html

D

David28672907qm0gAuthor

Participating Frequently

Yes I've tried both of those suggestions -- logging out/in and renaming the SLStore and SLCache files. Neither one works -- Lightroom still crashes on startup. Grateful for any other ideas.

Ian Lyons

Community Expert

@David28672907qm0g I know, but I addressed my question to @Tessa288894707bf6

Ian Lyons

Community Expert

If you used Apple's Migration Assistant to migrate the application, then it's possible the licensing files were skipped. Therefore, best you reinstall using the Creative Cloud app as doing so ensures all the necessary components are correctly installed.

D

David28672907qm0gAuthor

Participating Frequently

Thank you Ian. Yes I used Migration Assistant to move to the new Mac. Following your suggestion I've just uninstalled all my Adobe apps, then uninstalled the Creative Cloud app, reinstalled it and also Lightroom Classic. On opening it did a brief unpackaging dialogue, then the splash screen for 1-2 seconds, then crashed.

Responding to DdeGannes : I used Migration Assistant to move from my old Intel Mac to the new one. Image files were migrated via an externall HDD. Copied the catalog and support files into the same folder hierarchy. Perhaps the move from Intel to M2 is the problem? I can also launch Lightroom Classic by double clicking the catalog file, but it also crashes.

Grateful for any other suggestions.

Ian Lyons

Community Expert

You write "then crashed"! Did a Crash Alrt/Log appear? If not, then it probably just closed abruptly. Unfortunately, that doesn't explain what's happening and how to fix it.

T

Tessa288894707bf6

Known Participant

I also am having a similar issue - it goes to the first screen then freezes with the spinning wheel and i get the "application not responding". It was working a few days ago. I've spent 2 hours with 2 separate adobe customer support reps remote managing my computer (1 wk old mac studio, M1, with ventura 13.2.1) to no avail, and also apple customer support weren't able to help. Next steps that have been suggested are

- sign in with a new adobe account

- reinstall the operating system

- do a factory reset of the computer.

Super frustrating! The whole reason I bought a mega expensive computer is for photo editing and managment and the computer won't play with the main programme I want to use.

Please let me know if anything works for you!

DdeGannes

Community Expert

@David28672907qm0g , You stated "I've migrated my catalog and image files and need to reconnect everything, but I cannot seem to do this without actually opening Lighroom Classic.".

Could you explain?

Regards, Denis: iMac 27” mid-2015, macOS 11.7.10 Big Sur; 2TB SSD, 24 GB Ram, GPU 2 GB; LrC 12.5,; Lr 6.5, PS 24.7,; ACR 15.5,; (also Laptop Win 11, ver 24H2, LrC 15.0.1, PS 27.0; ) Camera Oly OM-D E-M1.

D

David28672907qm0gAuthor

Participating Frequently

Note that I've tried these steps, which did not work: https://helpx.adobe.com/lightroom-classic/kb/lightroom-not-launching-after-splash-screen.html