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Froodster
Known Participant
May 11, 2025
Question

Synology NAS Disconnecting Repeatedly When Using Lightroom

  • May 11, 2025
  • 6 replies
  • 1029 views

When using Lightroom, my Synology NAS disconnects repeatedly - sometimes every few seconds, sometimes every minute. This only happens while using Lightroom; in all other applications, including macOS Finder, the NAS connection remains stable and reliable.


One of my workarounds is to randomly browse files on the NAS via Finder while Lightroom is active (e.g., during imports). Doing so seems to keep the NAS connection alive. It appears that something about Lightroom's activity is triggering the disconnects.


This behaviour disrupts imports, preview rendering, and general workflow.


My setup:

  • Mac mini M4
  • Samsung SSD: holds Lightroom catalog (.lrcat) files
  • Synology NAS DS415: stores RAW/image files, up to date, connected via SMB (AFP disabled)


This has been my setup for the past 8 years (though with earlier Macs), and the issue has been steadily getting worse over the last 6 months.


Another workaround is to use the Samsung SSD as a working folder for current projects, and only move files to the NAS once done. However, this isn’t ideal when I need to revisit older projects stored on the NAS.

6 replies

Fernando s magrane
Fernando s magrane
Known Participant
July 17, 2025

I have the same problem with my MacBook Pro M1 Pro but mainly when I backup trhe catalog, it will take a long time or never finish 

J
Jeffrey James Visuals
Participant
June 15, 2025

This has been a recent phenomenon for me as well.  By recent, I mean within the past 12 months or so.  Prior to this period of time I do not recall repeatedly experiencing the sporadic "disconnection"/"gone away".

 

I experience the "disconnection"/"gone away" 99% of the time when the catalog backup is coping to the NAS.  


For reference:

  • Adobe
    • Lightroom Classic 14.3.1
    • Catalog is located on the MacBook Pro
    • Image files are located on the NAS
    • Catalog backup destination is the NAS
  • Apple
    • MacBook Pro 14-inch 2021 M1 Max
    • Sequoia 15.5
  • Synology NAS
    • DS1621xs+
    • DSM 7.2.2-72806 Update 3
    • SMB protocol only enabled
    • AFP protocol disabled.
L
lynda_8418
Participant
June 15, 2025

Have you ever found a fix for it?

 

dj_paige
dj_paige
Legend
June 15, 2025

Links to possible solutions have already been provided.

Ian Lyons
Community Expert
Ian LyonsCommunity Expert
Community Expert
June 14, 2025

I've prrovided a link to a thread that may help. It's dated 2023, but may still prove useful, especially the links provided by @johnrellis 

 

https://community.adobe.com/t5/lightroom-classic-discussions/nas-server-disconnecting-from-lightroom-classic/td-p/13746014

    F
    FroodsterAuthor
    Known Participant
    June 18, 2025

    Thanks for the links Ian - I did spend some time searching and trying various fixes, but to no avail.

    dj_paige
    dj_paige
    Legend
    June 14, 2025

    I don't know what the answer is. I do know that this problem with Synology disconnecting has been reported many times before, you should search the forums to see if you can find an answer in a previous post.

    F
    FroodsterAuthor
    Known Participant
    June 18, 2025

    Thanks dj - I have tried suggested fixes from previous posts, but none have worked, unfortunately. I'm beginning to think this might be related to the latest iteration iOS/M4 chip? I'm hoping a 'bug fix' in a LR update will quietly fix it.

    L
    lynda_8418
    Participant
    June 14, 2025

    I have this exact problem. I start importing images and then Lightroom loses connection to my NAS and stops the import process. I'm using a brand new MacBook Pro and a Synology DS415+. 
    I end up having to force quit, reopen LR and delete the folder on lightroom. I've done this many times. I've had a tech team call where they removed into my Mac and they've not been able to sort it. I'm running the latest version of LR, my Mac is up to date as is my DSM. I'm thinking it's a compatibility issue but Adobe haven't mentioned that. 

    MrSil
    MrSil
    Participant
    June 9, 2025

    I am having the exact same problem with my Synology NAS and Lightroom Classic. Using a Mac Mini M4 as well. I can't even back-up my catalogue to my nas directly as it fails and can't import files directly from the SD Card to the NAS. Never had this problem and only seems to be with my Mac Mini M4. Works on my Macbook Pro. 

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