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robert a.p62809137
robert a.p62809137
Participating Frequently
June 3, 2023
Question

LR Classic won't launch after corrupt catalog

  • June 3, 2023
  • 3 replies
  • 1839 views

Hi all,

 

The other day when opening LR, I got a message that it couldn't open because the catalog was corrupt. No big deal, I back up my catalog constantly and have previously been successful opening an older catalog after a corrupt catalog error.  I followed the same procedure as before but it didn't work. I've uninstalled and reinstalled LR with both the latest and the most recent older version, and I've tried other suggestions I've seen online. Nothing I do will get LR Classic to open.  Any help would be appreciated.  

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    3 replies

    dj_paige
    dj_paige
    Legend
    June 3, 2023

    Corrupt catalog — most likely you need to restore a recent backup copy of your catalog file. Although repairing the catalog is possible in some cases, the chances of success are low.

    robert a.p62809137
    robert a.p62809137Author
    Participating Frequently
    June 3, 2023

    Thank you, but as I described previously, I have tried several times to restore a recent backup copy of my catalog file with no success.  That's my point, that LR won't open any catalog, either the corrupted copy or any older version.  Thank you.

    dj_paige
    dj_paige
    Legend
    June 3, 2023

    Thanks, so I ran a bunch of diagnostics, using Dell's SupportAssist, Dell's Online Diagnostic Tests, as well as a Preboot Diagnostic Test.  No problems were found using any of those methods.  Then I just did as you suggested, copying the catalog that works from my ext HD to the desktop and it opened just fine.  Which is good, although it also doesn't explain what exactly the problem was before.  So I assume now I should save the current working catalog in the usual Lightroom folder and restore my preferences, back up like crazy, and everything perhaps should be good moving forward?  Thanks so much for your help.


    Then I just did as you suggested, copying the catalog that works from my ext HD to the desktop and it opened just fine.

     

    Which is not what I said. I said put it in a brand new folder on the original disk. If you have the catalog file on the desktop, I would not recommend you leave it there.

     

    So I assume now I should save the current working catalog in the usual Lightroom folder and restore my preferences

     

    You can try that, but I am not recommending it, I am "anti-recommending" it.

    JohanElzenga
    Community Expert
    JohanElzengaCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    June 3, 2023

    "I followed the same procedure" and "I tried other suggestions I've seen online", without telling us what those were, does not tell us what exactly you did and what you did not try yet. So  maybe you already tried this too, but otherwise try resetting the preferences before you open a backup copy of the catalog: https://www.lightroomqueen.com/how-do-i-reset-lightrooms-preferences/ And indeed, do stay away from sync services like Dropbox or OneDrive for the moment.

     

    -- Johan W. Elzenga
      robert a.p62809137
      robert a.p62809137Author
      Participating Frequently
      June 3, 2023

      Thanks, Johan.  "Followed the same procedure" should be self-evident that the same exact protocol I have used previously to restore an older catalog failed to work this time. But since you want to know, I followed this procedure: https://www.lightroomqueen.com/disaster-strikes-corrupted-catalog/

       

      Other suggestions I have tried, include: https://helpx.adobe.com/lightroom-classic/kb/lightroom-not-launching-after-splash-screen.html

      https://helpx.adobe.com/lightroom-classic/kb/troubleshoot-corrupt-catalog.html#:~:text=this%20catalog%20option.-,Press%20and%20hold%20the%20Alt%20(Win)%20%2F%20option%20(macOS,see%20Restore%20a%20backup%20catalog.

      https://helpx.adobe.com/lightroom-classic/kb/lightroom-doesnt-start.html

       

      I have tried removing the preferences and that didn't help.  Note the way your article suggests does not work for me, when I open LR holding Alt/Shift, I do get a popup but nothing prompts me to reset preferences. Instead, the popup I get is Lightroom Classic Properties and the only option I see like that is to remove properties and personal information, which I don't think is the same thing as removing the preferences.  So instead, I did another unintall where it asks you if you want to keep your preferences and I said no, then reinstalled.  This didn't help however.  I've tried opening from the desktop, from the Creative Cloud, and from the File Manager, but none work.  When I do try to open, I get the spinning ball, but never get as far as the splash screen, and then afterwards, LR Classic does appear as a background process in the Task Manager. Thanks.

      DdeGannes
      Community Expert
      DdeGannesCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      June 3, 2023

      Please post the actual version number of your operating system and the Lightroom app you have installed.

      Do you by chance have your Lightroom Catalog on the likes of Dropbox or OneDrive?

       

      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.
      robert a.p62809137
      robert a.p62809137Author
      Participating Frequently
      June 3, 2023

      Thanks, Denis.  I'm running on Windows 11 Version 22H2 (OS Build 22621.1702) and currently running Lightroom Version 12.3.  Dell XPS 15 9570, Intel Core i9-8950HK CPU, RAM 32 GB, 

       

       

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