Problem saving metadata to source file

[Reddwarf4ever]

I have LR 11.4.1, On a windows 10 PC I am new to LR, it my primary need is to face tag my massive photo collection, several thousand, in many many folders. I have successfully managed to face tag and folder of sample images as a practice. But when I do select all, Metadata, save to file. Although the LR 'bar' moves along, intimating it's doing something, the file TAG fields do not contain any peoples names. I have tried the export option, but this groups all the image files together, with no regard for the original folder hirechy. But the metadata is change using this method so as LR has proved it can do this with the export function, why would it not be able to do it with Metadata save to file function ???

as a last resort I have installed. a plugin, which is designed to replicate the folder hierarchy on an export, but can't work out how to use it yet.

hopefully there is a way to do what I need without this plugin

thanks

[johnrellis]

"such a pity adobe didn't have the metadata to file as in export...."

As mentioned before, the Metadata > Save Metadata To File command does write the same metadata fields as Export.  Something particular to your configuration is causing some sort of misbehavior, e.g. in how those fields are being viewed.

If you want to identify the cause of this, please do as I previously suggested: Select a problem photo and do Metadata > Save Metadata To File, and then export that photo. Attach the problem photo and the exported version in your reply here.

[Reddwarf4ever]

My Son suggegested it might be to do with my USB socket, or USB pen, I was using this, to avoid the risk to the files on my HDD, turns out he was correct, must have faulty usb sockets, guess they don't last forever, have noticed issues with portable HDDs recently, so makes sense. So everything is good now, thanks everyone for all the help, been quite a journey. Maybe as Lightroom doesn't verify metadata writing, it would be a good idea for others not to use usb drives or pens, may not be obvious if the MD is not written, especially if it's intermittent....thanks again

P.S. I accidentally deleted the smart folder for showing unnamed photos, could some one tell me ho to recreate it, I've backed up the others now just in case....

[Reddwarf4ever]

All sorted now, thanks everyone

[Reddwarf4ever]

So

Catalog preferences you have "Automatically write metadata to xmp " Will actually write metadata to the file as I make changes, is that correct ? Thanks

[DdeGannes]

Yes, but since it is not a primary function it can get delayed if you are busy performing other functions. If you exit the application and writing to xmp is incomplete it may not get completed until you reboot LrC. It is a secondary function.