Lightroom not importing!!

Forum|Forum|8 years ago
May 14, 2017
4 replies
2967 views

Hi all,

I have Lightroom CC on Mac OS X system.

I normally import my photos from my cards and save them to an external hard drive.

Today it says my photos cant be imported because the file cant be read. I've tried importing from the SD slot in my computer and from an external card reader.

There is enough space on my external hard drive to receive the import.

When I do attempt to import it gets stuck on the Current import page or it just stops.

I've tried importing the entire card as well as just a few photos. I've also tried restarting my computer several times.

Any ideas how to fix this?

Help?

Thank you

This topic has been closed for replies.

DdeGannes

Community Expert

Quote "Today it says my photos cant be imported because the file cant be read. I've tried importing from the SD slot in my computer and from an external card reader."

This error message is almost always due to the fact that you are using the Copy option to import the image files to a Destination folder for which you do not have full Read Write permissions. It is an issue that has to be corrected using your operating system procedures. Or choose a different Destination folder in the Lightroom import dialog.

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.

Rob_Cullen

Community Expert

the file cant be read

Really means- cant be WRITTEN to the destination selected in the Import dialog. (When using 'Copy' at Import)

Something may have changed Read/write 'permissions' for the destination, or the destination selected is not valid for another reason.

Check folder permissions.

Troubleshooting permissions issues in Mac OS X - Apple Support

Regards. My System: Windows-11, Lightroom-Classic 15.1.1, Photoshop 27.3.1, ACR 18.1.1, Lightroom 9.0, Lr-iOS 10.4.0, Bridge 16.0.2 .

T

talyaophotosAuthor

Participating Frequently

@wobertc Meaning that it could be an issue with the hard drive im trying to write to?

ManiacJoe

Inspiring

Yes, usually a security permissions problem. This is quite common on Macs.

In the LR Import dialog, expand the Destination panel. (Sometimes this solves the problem ??!?!!!!)

Verify that it is pointing where you think it should be.

Using Mac Finder, navigate to the destination folder and verify that it and its parent folder have both READ and WRITE privs for your user account.

Baspard

Inspiring

Maybe you should try to reset your preferences in Lightroom.

How-To:

Save your catalog information before you reset preferences: In Lightroom, choose Lightroom > Catalog Settings > General (Mac OS) and write down the name and location of your current catalog. Your catalog name and location are listed in the Information section. Just make a copy of your catalog in a safe location to prevent any damage.
Quit Lightroom.
Hold down Opt and Shift while opening Lightroom and it’ll ask whether to reset the preferences. The timing is crucial—hold them down while clicking/double-clicking on the app/shortcut.
Restart Lightroom, it might ask to upgrade your catalog. You will choose not to and click on the Choose a Different Catalog button.
Navigate to your catalog and select it (make sure it's highlighted) and click Choose.
If you always want to use this catalog, select the Always load this catalog on startup check box. It's probably best to select Test integrity of this catalog also.

Hoping it will help.

T

talyaophotosAuthor

Participating Frequently

How do I make a copy of my catalogue? (And save to to another external hard drive than the one I'm currently using) trying to figure out if its a hard drive issue or LR...