Skip to main content
R
robertpbrisbane
Participating Frequently
November 23, 2021
Answered

Lightroom Classic won't start

  • November 23, 2021
  • 9 replies
  • 2559 views

When I try to open the program I get the blue circle for a couple of seconds then nothing happens. I have logged out and back in with no success, reloaded the program again no success. It was working fine last week and now nothing. I am using windows 10 with the latest update for Lightroom.

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Rob_Cullen

    Still nothing when I click on the latest catalogue, I do have and update backup catalogue on external hard drives. I just clicked on the latest backup and boom!!! it worked. Shouls I delete the original catalouge and move the backup into the main file?


    Don't delete the original catalog just yet. Move it to another location.

    But yes, COPY the 'backup' catalog from the backup location to the {Lightroom} folder and [double-click] on this .lrcat file to 'Open' it.

     

    9 replies

    B
    Buffalogrr
    Participant
    March 19, 2023

    I'm having the same problem. It was working fine until it wasn't. That may have been some time around the installation of LR Downloader...which has been deleted. Or, not!  Here is what I've tried.... I have tried deleting the lock file, restarting, reinstalling LrC and ARC. Can't get the preferences [ALT-SHIFT] thing to work. LtC won't start with ARC, the shortcut nor the catalog. Sometimes, I get three LrC files running in the Task Manager, but usually only one. Regardless, neither is functional. I've also created an exception in the AVG anti virus. Now what?

     

    Rob_Cullen
    Community Expert
    Rob_CullenCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    March 20, 2023

    No answer, just some info-

    "Can't get the preferences [ALT-SHIFT] thing to work."

    You must hold down both [ALT] and [SHIFT] and keep holding as you start LrC, until you see this dialog appear-

    Note: If you have other Apps or windows open on screen the dialog may be hidden under the other window.

    Or you can use File Explorer to manually delete the Preferences {.agprefs} file-

    C:\Users\{YourUserName}\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Lightroom\Preferences

    (The Startup Preferences file keeps track of the Catalogs you open- No need to delete)

     

    "the installation of LR Downloader.."

    The Lightroom Downloader is mostly for Lr (Cloud based) users intending to cancel their subscription and need to download their photos from the Cloud Storage. It is of no use for LrC users!  LrC can automatically 'Sync' all photos from the Adobe Cloud.

     

    "I get three LrC files running in the Task Manager,"

    Unusual. I see one App running, with three sub-components- all ok.

     

    "LtC won't start with ARC,"

    If you mean ACR (Adobe Camera Raw) then LrC does not 'open' files from ACR. LrC will only open Catalogs.

    ACR is only required if sending files to Photoshop. ACR is a Plugin for Photoshop.

     

    As a final resort for problems you might run the Adobe Cleaner Tool App and start with a fresh install of all Apps.

    Be sure you backup catalogs first.

    CLEANER TOOL LINK

     

    Regards. My System: Windows-11, Lightroom-Classic 15.0, Photoshop 27.0, ACR 18.0, Lightroom 9.0, Lr-iOS 10.4.0, Bridge 16.0 .
    S
    S01AC
    Participant
    March 21, 2023

    My Classic won't open either. It starts up in "Background processes" but the app does not open. I tried resettng the preferences and that did not work. I unistalled and re-installed the app twice and the same results, not launch. This just doesn't make sense. I also had Classic running on a laptop and that crashed on me after the program launched. What's up with Lightroom Classic?

     

      Rob_Cullen
      Community Expert
      Rob_CullenCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      November 25, 2021

      Worth a try!_ I might suggest that you stop the sync with OneDrive for all files in the Lightroom Catalog Folder. LrC does not 'like' files syncing (to OneDrive) while it is accessing same, especially the Catalog.

      Every tiny change to the Catalog is attempting to sync as changes happen.

       

      Regards. My System: Windows-11, Lightroom-Classic 15.0, Photoshop 27.0, ACR 18.0, Lightroom 9.0, Lr-iOS 10.4.0, Bridge 16.0 .
      Rob_Cullen
      Community Expert
      Rob_CullenCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      November 25, 2021

      Post a screen-clip or the report from  the MENU: HELP > SYSTEM INFO....

       

      On my Windows Laptop with 8GB of RAM, a large Catalog is quite slow to open. If I so much as click the mouse before all data in LrC is visible and 'loaded' (thumbnail info, badges, folders, image histogram, etc) my LrC goes into a "Not Responding" mode for a long period of time (1-2 minutes).  Do you allow the Catalog to fully load?

       

      A Queenslander? 🙂

       

      Regards. My System: Windows-11, Lightroom-Classic 15.0, Photoshop 27.0, ACR 18.0, Lightroom 9.0, Lr-iOS 10.4.0, Bridge 16.0 .
      GoldingD
      GoldingD
      Legend
      November 24, 2021

      shm and wal files created at catalog start, used by the SQL database that is the catalog,  can be ignored. If deleted, they will just get recreated. 

      R
      robertpbrisbaneAuthor
      Participating Frequently
      November 24, 2021

      I have removed all locked files and still Lightroom won't open. Here is a screen shot of the folder with the catalogue, not sure why there are so many. Maybe this is the issue?

      johnrellis
      johnrellis
      Legend
      November 24, 2021

      Those .lrcat-wal and .lrcat-shm files are a symptom, not a cause. LR is starting, then initializing the database (which creates those files), then terminating abnormally (preventing those files from getting deleted as they normally would).

      johnrellis
      johnrellis
      Legend
      November 24, 2021

      "there are 2 files disappearing and reappearing (flashing). 1 with "shm" at the end of the name and the other with "wal""

       

      Those are a normal part of LR's operation and will get created when LR starts and deleted when LR exits.

      R
      robertpbrisbaneAuthor
      Participating Frequently
      November 24, 2021

      I have just found 2 locked files which I have removed with no success, but now there are 2 files disappearing and reappearing (flashing). 1 with "shm" at the end of the name and the other with "wal"

      R
      robertpbrisbaneAuthor
      Participating Frequently
      November 24, 2021

      Not that I can see (with my limited knowledge)

      GoldingD
      GoldingD
      Legend
      November 23, 2021

      Have you checked for a lock file?

       

      Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
      Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices