lightroom doesn't work. It starts only as a background process.

[biep]

Can anyone help me to get Lightroom Classic started/visible on my laptop (Windows).
It worked great fot several years...
Now I can't get the program started
although I see it is running in the background.....

I tried fixing visual++
but still: no go

[Rob_Cullen · Accepted solution]

This is similar to a problem I had some time ago with Lr v5 (IIRC)

Try the following procedure to see if it solves the problem.

1. Do a computer reboot/re-start
2. Open Lightroom
3. Open the Task Manager. (CTRL+ALT+DELETE) or (Windows Key+X)
4. Right-Click on the App- Adobe Photoshop Lightroom-
5. Select the option "Go to details"-
6. Right-Click on "Lightroom.exe"
7. Click on [Set Priority]
8. Set the Priority to "High"
9. Close Task Manager.
10. Close all programs and Re-Boot the computer
11. As you open Lightroom- Reset the Preferences by holding down [SHIFT+ALT].
12. Check LR closes correctly.

[biep]

Tnx very much!
This worked perfectly and LR is now working like before.

During the proces the catalog was upgraded,
maybe that was part of the problem too?

Anyhow, I'm saved.
Tnx

Biep

[JonPearce]

I see this is an old thread but I'm having the same problem and the solution above doesn't seem to work. I follow the instructions but when Lightroom restarts it's still in background and is running with Normal priority. Perhaps something in Windows 10 changed, but I can't get Lightroom in foreground mode anymore.

[Rob_Cullen]

Yes- seems Windows-10 has changed the procedure! But I am none the wiser about why!

Try these changes- let us know if it works.

Step#4a:  Expand the items under - Adobe Lightroom-Classic  (Why is shows (3) -I do not know)

Step#4b:  [Right-Click] on your Catalog name.

Step#5 Continue as in above post.

[defaultp7mo0zl65zib]

I am having the same issue and none of the solutions are working for me!  Step #4A, I don't have the option to expand the folders.

I tried uninstalling the app, rebooting, and nothing.

[dj_paige]

You would be wise, instead of saying you have the same issue in this thread, to start a new thread, describe the problem from scatch, and provide all relevent details.

[JonPearce]

In the end the problem wasn't with Lightrom starting in background - it was that Lightroom was trying to open a corrupted catalog and it sat there forever trying without giving any indication of what was happening. The catalog was on the Creative Cloud and was being referenced by all of my Lightroom instances on different computers which is why it was always failing.  Once I figured that out I got it to start on a new catalog and it opened right up. 

[Christina22538131jaae]

I'm still having the same issue. How do you get it to start on a new catalog so that it will open? 

[michaels11076275]

SOLVED: Another Prblem that Can Happen Related:

May 25, 2024

Hi, I'm posting in a few threats related to this. I found a solution to Lightroom Classic not opening on Windows 11 even though it is running in the background and I wanted to share.

The problem I discovered I was having was I was trying to get lightroom to open a catalog that no longer existed. Somehow the catalog file and a bunch of other data disapeared even though the folder and some of the data was still there. It took a while for it to occur to me to check but it was gone. But when I had Lightroom open a catalog that actually existed, it worked fine.

But I also did what user @Rob_Cullen recommended which I'm not sure if it was necessary but you could try that in addition if starting an actual catalog doesn't work. 

This is similar to a problem I had some time ago with Lr v5 (IIRC)

Try the following procedure to see if it solves the problem.

1. Do a computer reboot/re-start
2. Open Lightroom
3. Open the Task Manager. (CTRL+ALT+DELETE) or (Windows Key+X)
4. Right-Click on the App- Adobe Photoshop Lightroom-
5. Select the option "Go to details"-
6. Right-Click on "Lightroom.exe"
7. Click on [Set Priority]
8. Set the Priority to "High"
9. Close Task Manager.
10. Close all programs and Re-Boot the computer
11. As you open Lightroom- Reset the Preferences by holding down [SHIFT+ALT].
12. Check LR closes correctly.

[KBStudio]

Tried all the suggestions and finally got a positive though odd result.  LRC will now open from the Windows Tool Bar, but it takes up to 3 minutes to do so.  My workaround is to entertain myself with online until I get LRC open.  Then I get to work.  

I also tested the speed with which LRC masks work compared to PS ACR.  The LRC stutters along and takes several seconds to complete a simple task, where as PS ACR is instanteous as one would expect.  Hmmmmmm!

[Rikk Flohr: Photography]

You’ve posted to an ancient thread. It is highly unlikely that the issue described in this thread, though not impossible, is the same one you are currently experiencing. Rather than resurrect an old thread that is seemingly similar, you are better off posting to a new thread with fresh, complete information, including system information, a complete description of the problem, and step-by-step instructions for reproduction. 

If the issue is the same, we will merge you back into the appropriate location. 

This thread is now locked. 

Thank you!