Update created new catalogs but if forgot to plug in my external hard drive!!!

[Daniel34915188k3e0]

i just did the most recent Lightroom classic update and it asked me to update my catalogs, which I did. However, I forgot to plug in my external hard drive before doing so. It updated the few folders I have on my computer hard drivejist fine, but now when I plug in my external hard drive it didn't seem to update these folders and I can't find them anywhere through Lightroom classic. The folders still exist on the external hard drive as before, but Lightroom won't recognize them.

[Rob_Cullen · Accepted solution]

Is your master catalog file (the .LRCAT you have been using) on that external drive?

If so, then the upgrade has possibly upgraded an old catalog that exists on your internal hard-drive, which would explain the folders not visible in that old catalog.

Know where your master catalog was stored (Search with File Explorer to find .LRCAT files), and if on the external drive- locate it and [Double-Click] to open, and upgrade, it.

DO NOT do any Importing of photos!

[Daniel34915188k3e0]

Thank you so much for your answer! It appears after restarting my computer and disconnecting and reconnecting my hard drive seemed to work. For some reason Lightroom was just having trouble recognizing the hard drive. I don't know if it had anything to do with the update or it was just coincidence. Thanks for your reply!

[Nathan_Lucio3955]

I just updated to Lightroom Classic V15.0 and all of my files and photos are no longer showing. Anyone else having this problem?

[Ji.Lee]

OMG...

[Califdan2]

Nathan,

Usually this is due to LrC opening an old catalog or a new empty catalog it creates on the fly when it can't find the catalog it is looking for.

Check what catalog you are looking at and see if it is correct one.

[candacem95456709]

I did this too and now lightroom doesn't recognize my hard drive or my external drive holding 2024 and earlier. it recognizes the external drive with 2025 only. At the moment Lightroom is useless to me. I'm furious!!!

By the way, I've tried everything people have suggested!

[Aleke]

Hi @candacem95456709, welcome to the community!
Could you share a bit more detail about the issue? What version of Lightroom are you using?
When you say it doesn’t recognize your drive, do you mean it’s not showing up in the import window, or are you getting an error message?
If you can share a screenshot of what you’re seeing, that would help us take a closer look.
Thanks so much!
Alek