Many lightroom.exe in Task Manager, 100% CPU on Windows

[Nikhil25255036h5lv]

Every time I open lightroom, it eventually spawns dozens of lightroom.exe processes in Task Manager. My computer slows to a crawl, with 100% CPU. Closing lightroom does not rid of all the processes. I either have to End Task each manually, reboot the PC, or most recenlty am using PowerShell to close all at once. 

{Thread title updated by moderator}

[Sameer K]

Hi Nikhil,

Thanks for reaching out. We're sorry for the trouble with Lightroom. We're here to help.

Could you please share the version of Lightroom & the operating system you are working on? Has this happened recently since an upgrade to Lightroom or the operating system? What type of images are you working on? RAW or JPEG?

If you are working on Lightroom Classic, where is the catalog stored? An internal drive or an external drive? Does this behavior show up during any specific task or operation? Or does the CPU usage peak when the Lightroom is idle, i.e., not in use at all, or do you have a specific set of steps to take that results in this behavior?

If you are working on Adobe Lightroom (cloud), does this happen when the sync is in progress?

Have you tried any troubleshooting steps?

To begin with Lightroom & Lightroom Classic, please go to Edit > Preferences > Performance > Use Graphics Processor > Set it to Off if it is on Custom or Auto. If this shows you any differences in performance, please check this article to troubleshoot further: https://helpx.adobe.com/lightroom-classic/kb/troubleshoot-gpu.html

Let us know if this helps.

Thanks!
Sameer K

[Nikhil25255036h5lv]

Thank you for the reply. 

Catalog is stored on local hard drive, along with all my images. Combo of RAW and JPEG, but happens regardless of type. I do not use Lightroom Cloud. 

I think I see what behavior causes this now. If I double click a single file from a Desktop, it opens in lightroom import dialoge as expected. If I double click a different single file on my Desktop, it also opens fine to the Lightroom import dialog and one instance of Lightroom in task manager. I can select up to 3 files frpom my Desktop folder and then right-click-open, the Lightroom import box comes up and one instance of Lightroom in task manager. BUT, if I select more than 3 files at once, and then right-click-open, it opens each in thier own instance of Lightroom and fills the task manager. Closing lightroom does not close any of those many processes, and I am stuck with the issue. 

No problem:

Causes problem:

Task manager after performing this action on many files. Closing Lightroom does not close all these processes:

[GoldingD]

Why are you trying to import from outside of LrC?

Do not use your file manager to double click on an image to import into LrC. That is not what Adobe planned on.

Launch LrC, then import as  Adobe meant. Any difference?