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gemmaw37619120
New Participant
June 27, 2018
Question

LR not finding missing photos

  • June 27, 2018
  • 6 replies
  • 2459 views

Hi all,

Ive been using Lightroom for years, I recently upgraded to a newer Mac and updated to Lightroom Classic CC. Since moving over, predictably Lightroom cant find some images (around 21000 or 85000). I have tried all the obvious ways, (cmd click on folder - find missing folder / library - locate missing files etc...) though this doesn't seem to work and I'm sat waiting for hours waiting for nothing (even when plugged directly into server).
I know where all the files are, so i thought I'd do it manually, but when i click on the exclamation mark on each image, nothing happens, no box to locate missing image or anything. Has anyone ever had this before? Very frustrating as I have a ton of editing to do....booo!

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6 replies

GoldingD
GoldingD
Brainiac
February 27, 2019

I am about to point you to an experiment with one image. be aware this will eliminate any edits you accomplished. Be aware it might nit work. Be aware this is not a solution to more than one image. Be aware this is not efficient.

For the one image you are experimenting with, in Library module, accomplish the following

1) Right click, and select to show it in Finder, verify it’s location.

2) In LR, in the library module, remove it from the catalog (do NOT delete).

3) As a result of step 2 any (library) previews that might be corrupt for the one image are gone.

4) Collateral damage is any develop edits are gone

5) As it was removed from the catalog, it can now be imported.

6) Try to import it.

You might want to wait until Dj_paige remarks on the above.

I have questions about alternatively using the sync option for the folder, was that tried, should that be tried.

T
tiffanyh10668968
New Participant
February 27, 2019

When I am in my Library module my folder is fine and the images have no exclamation point on them.  But when I go into Develop mode it says "file cannot be found" still no exclamation points on the thumbnails.  I edited and exported one image and it seemed to be fine, but I'm not sure why is says "file cannot be found"? Also I did try to reimport the images, as they are still on my desktop, but since they were already imported they wouldn't re-import. There was also no "locate" option as there was no exclamation point.

    D
    dj_paige
    Brainiac
    February 27, 2019

    Can you tell us the full complete unedited file name of this photo? Also please tell us the full complete unedited folder path of this photo.

    T
    tiffanyh10668968
    New Participant
    February 27, 2019

    The file name is TH2_5040.NEF The original file is on my desktop and was imported to LF from there.  It has not been moved or altered in anyway. It won't allow me to "locate" file because in Library it's not showing as missing. Only when I move into develop mode. When I try to reimport it won't because it shows they've already been imported (grayed out images).

    GoldingD
    GoldingD
    Brainiac
    December 28, 2018

    You showed us screenshots of your filmstrip and your grid view. What would probably be more helpfull is a screenshot if your folders panel. Make sure it is expanded as mugh as possible, and that it shows the true parent folder that the catalog is in.

    when you share this with us, include a description of what folder shown the actual missing

    images should be in.

    A
    annemettekuhl
    Participating Frequently
    December 27, 2018

    I have a similar problem except that on my missing 4500 files - LR doesn't show the exclamation point - how do I get LR to find my missing files?
    My Catalog was corrupted and restored with the help from Adobe and the restored catalog is the one that is missing a great number of files.
    I tried to import the missing photos from my backup - by importing from another catalog - but LR can't open the catalog - it just tells me an error occured - so I can't import the photos that way.
    Any suggestions?

      JohanElzenga
      JohanElzenga
      Community Expert
      December 27, 2018

      annemettekuhl  wrote

      I have a similar problem except that on my missing 4500 files - LR doesn't show the exclamation point - how do I get LR to find my missing files?
      My Catalog was corrupted and restored with the help from Adobe and the restored catalog is the one that is missing a great number of files.
      I tried to import the missing photos from my backup - by importing from another catalog - but LR can't open the catalog - it just tells me an error occured - so I can't import the photos that way.
      Any suggestions?

      Lightroom has no option to find missing photos by itself, you have to tell it where the photos are. You say that Lightroom does not show an exclamation point. If you mean that the missing photos aren’t anywhere in the restored catalog at all, then you probably have to import them again as new. You will lose the edits, but that’s the way it is. If the missing photos are shown in the catalog, but without an exclamation point, then that probably means that you do have smart previews for them. In that case check for missings folders first. Reconnecting a folder is much faster and more reliable than reconnecting images. https://www.lightroomqueen.com/lightroom-photos-missing-fix/

      -- Johan W. Elzenga
        A
        annemettekuhl
        Participating Frequently
        December 28, 2018

        See the problem is that LR doesn't seem to know that the files (LR-files with the edits) are missing - therefore no exclamation point in the corner - I was wondering if I could get around that......(can't do any of the things that I normally do - and as you're suggesting)

        See the two screenshots - the first one is of a part of my catalog where it looks as it should - with an exclamation point for all the files that are missing (I have no problem finding those!)

        Then this screenshot of the files missing - no exclamation point in the corner - when I go to develop module the edits are gone - but the keywords are still intact.

        My next screenshot is showing the dialog that appears when I ask LR to show the photo in explorer:


        My guess is that all the LR-files have been ruined during the restoring of the catalog - but as I said I have a backup where the LR-files with all edits etc. are - but it's an old catalog - I've tried to get the missing files into my repaired catalog - but my attempts of opening the old catalog via "Import from another catalog" has failed every time....
        So I would love to be able to move the files over in another way......
        Thanks for helping
        -Annemette

        Rob_Cullen
        Rob_Cullen
        Community Expert
        June 27, 2018

        find missing folder / library - locate missing files etc...

        You probably know this, but for benefit of others-This is not an automatic function.

        Lightroom does not "Find" your files/folders by itself. You will wait for years if you expect LR to find them.

        YOU have to browse to the folder where you "know where all the files are" and choose.

        when i click on the exclamation mark on each image, nothing happens, no box to locate missing image or anything

        OK so- There is a problem. You should be seeing a first dialog to [Locate] which then opens a Finder window.

        Is it possible the window is opening behind another window and is not readily visible?

        Curious also to see "System Info".

        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 .
        JohanElzenga
        JohanElzenga
        Community Expert
        June 27, 2018

        Could you post a screenshot of the ‘Help - System Info’ dialog?

        -- Johan W. Elzenga
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