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Micke34456880thpk
Participating Frequently
December 30, 2023
Question

Problem importing images from external USB

  • December 30, 2023
  • 6 replies
  • 1895 views

I have problem importing images to Lightroom classic.

 

What I do

1. Start lightroom
2. File -> Import photos and video

3. Select a folder on a USB device, shoose to "Add" (not copy).

4. Click on "Import".

5. The import starts, starting to import some images. After a while, it halts
6. Nothing happens, no error message, nothing.

It will import some of the images, but not all.

Troubleshooting
* I have verified that "Files and Folders" has the correct permissions (running macos), every thing is checked (including "Removable volumes").
* I have tried to give "Full disk access", same problem.
* Tried to import other folder on the USB device, same problem.
* Tried to import the folder from "Apple Photos", "Darktable", "Mylio", no problem. All images imported (65 000).
* Restarted my computer, same problem.
* Reinstalled Lightroom, same problem.
* Tried to read logs in "console", could not find any error messages from Lightroom.

I using Lightroom 13.1 for Mac OS, running Somona 14.0, on a macbook Air M1, 8 GB RAM 256 GB disk. Try to import from a external SSD disk (kingston 1TB). The external disk is connected directly to my computer with a USB-c cable (no docks or USB-hubs).

I think this is a bug in Lightroom, because I can do the import from three other programs, without any problem. I do not think its a human error in my settings. I could be a combination of Lightroom 13.1 and MacOS somona 14.0.

Any ideas on a solution? Its a bummer it wont import my images, I do pay for Lightroom. I have read other post that users has problems with importing images since Lightroom 13.

 
    This topic has been closed for replies.

    6 replies

    Ł
    Łukasz25011729cwgs
    Participating Frequently
    June 15, 2024

    I have the same issue. Were you able to solve it?

    D
    dj_paige
    Brainiac
    June 15, 2024

    @Łukasz25011729cwgs 

    Instead of adding to an old and complicated thread by saying "I have the same issue", please start a new thread and describe your problem in detail. People will do their best to help you in a new thread.

    Ł
    Łukasz25011729cwgs
    Participating Frequently
    July 28, 2024

    This make no sense but whatever. 

    GoldingD
    GoldingD
    Brainiac
    December 30, 2023
     Try to import from a external SSD disk (kingston 1TB).

    On that particular drive, looking at the existing folder structure,  is their any folder with a name such as DCIM. (A folder name similar/identical to a folder on an SD card that contains the photos taken on your camera) ?

     

     

     

    M
    Micke34456880thpkAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    December 30, 2023

    Hi, I do not try to import from a sd-card. I have a structure: <year/year-month-day/<file-name>. Like the structure Ligthroom creates when copying images at a import.

     

    I do not try to "copy" at import, I "add".

    GoldingD
    GoldingD
    Brainiac
    December 30, 2023
    quote

    Hi, I do not try to import from a sd-card. I have a structure: <year/year-month-day/<file-name>. Like the structure Ligthroom creates when copying images at a import.

     

    I do not try to "copy" at import, I "add".


    By @Micke34456880thpk

     

    That was not the question, nor the implication.

     

    A problem some MACOS users have had in import from SSD, and especially if trying to ADD, is for some reason their SSD has folder in it called DCIM. Perhaps at one time they copied all files from an SD card including the file structure.  In such a situation the MACOS ups and treats the SSD as if it is a SD card or other removable flash media (SD card, Thumb Drive, etc) And LrC then protects the import from accidentally using ADD just as if it was an actual SD.

     

    This is rare, probably far fetched. But it has happened.

     

    So, simply use Finder, look at that SSD, make sure their is no folder named DCIM (or similar)

     

    M
    Micke34456880thpkAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    December 30, 2023

    I have tried to update to Mac OS 14.2.1, with Lightroom 13.1, same problem. Imports halts, no error messages.

    Sean McCormack
    Sean McCormack
    Community Expert
    December 30, 2023

    When you say 'I've tried to give Full Disk Access' does Lightroom show in that section? It should be visible and have the switch on in blue.

     

    How many images are you trying to import at once? If it's hundreds of thousands, definitely do smaller amounts.  It may be that a particular file is causing the issue and it'll be easier to locate. 

     

    If there's a common issue, this thread will get merged into the common thread. 

     

    Do update to 14.2.1 now that Adobe have approved it for Lightroom for best compatibility.              

    Sean McCormack. Author of 'Essential Development 3'. Magazine Writer. Former Official Fuji X-Photographer.
    M
    Micke34456880thpkAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    December 30, 2023

    Hi.

    When you say 'I've tried to give Full Disk Access' does Lightroom show in that section?: Yes

    f it's hundreds of thousands, definitely do smaller amounts: About 1000-4000 on each import (per year).

    Sean McCormack
    Sean McCormack
    Community Expert
    December 31, 2023

    That's a reasonable Import amount so it defintely should work. Usually this is a permissions issue, but you've establish that it's not. 

    Can you import into a new catalog? 

    If you go to another user can you import there?

    If it's no problem as a different user, it could be Preferences and they need to be reset. 

    Sean McCormack. Author of 'Essential Development 3'. Magazine Writer. Former Official Fuji X-Photographer.
    yamato713108855
    yamato713108855
    Community Expert
    December 30, 2023

    Photos that have already been loaded cannot be loaded twice.
    Try searching in Lightroom to see if a file with the same name is loaded.

     

    If you are shooting in RAW+JPEG or HEIF+JPEG, only one side will be loaded.

    M
    Micke34456880thpkAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    December 30, 2023

    But, this should not halt the import? I only add "new" photos. I will get the same problem, if I delete the whole installation and configurations, for Lightroom. And try to import them again.

    D
    dj_paige
    Brainiac
    December 30, 2023

    Are you talking about an external USB hard disk drive? Or some other external USB device (like a thumb drive or similar)?

     

    Also, try Sonoma 14.2.1.

    M
    Micke34456880thpkAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    December 30, 2023

    Hi, i wrote: "Try to import from a external SSD disk (kingston 1TB)". This is a external harddrive (SSD), connected with a usb-c directly to my computer.

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