Problem importing images from external USB

[Micke34456880thpk]

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.

[dj_paige]

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.

[Micke34456880thpk]

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.

[yamato7]

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.

[Micke34456880thpk]

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.

[Sean McCormack]

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.              

[Micke34456880thpk]

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]

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. 

[Micke34456880thpk]

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

[GoldingD]

 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) ?

[Micke34456880thpk]

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]

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)

[Micke34456880thpk]

Hi

No folder named DCIM

find /Volumes/photos -iname "*dcim*"

[Micke34456880thpk]

FYI
If I copy the directory I try to import, to my internal disk, I can import it without any problems.
But, if I try to import it from my external SSD, Lightroom halts after a while. Do error messages. I have to quit it manually.

[Łukasz25011729cwgs]

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

[dj_paige]

@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.

[Łukasz25011729cwgs]

This make no sense but whatever. 

[dj_paige]

It makes perfect sense. Many times (most of the time) people say "I have the same issue" but after we ask a lot of questions it turns out they don't have the same issue, they have a different issue which needs to be described.

[Łukasz25011729cwgs]

I just asked a person with a simialr problem if he found a solution. Now I am arguing on the chat if it make sense or not to ask it. Have it your way. EOT.