Skip to main content
Participant
October 23, 2024
Question

Virtual copy option grayed out

  • October 23, 2024
  • 6 replies
  • 3745 views

For some reason the function to create a Virtual Copy is grayed out in the menu. I used this just yesterday without problem. What can be the reason?

Macbook Pro with M1, updated OS and lightroom classic. 

6 replies

Participant
May 7, 2025

I'm glad I'm not the only one.  Trouble started with upgrade to LR Classic 14.0, now I'm on 14.2.  It works OK when started - usually all fine for 1-2 minutes then features start to fail.  Right click menu takes 45 seconds to appear, usually obscuring the other software I've switched to while waiting.  No "Control-J" cell information or loupe information displayed, flagging, rotation don't work.  Keyword entry block either gets stuck showing those for one cell when moving to another, or just shows "Working" endlessly, and sometimes the whole section is blocked out with no keywords visible (see image).   Even full keyword list can disappear.  Photo-merge-panorama does not work.  Add to collection (both Control-B and drag and drop) does not work, or works late, sometimes even says removed from collection when it is adding.  Sometimes all editing in other software options are blocked, sometimes just a few.  Sometimes "create virtual copy" is greyed on the right-click menu but available in the menu at the top of the screen, but still takes a couple of minutes or does not work when clicked.  Sometimes actions are taken on the wrong image because it has locked on one while you think you have moved on - meaning I've accidentally deleted images.  "Auto" in develop mode takes a couple of minutes to work, if at all. 

 

All was fine with version 13, and again, re-starting restores functionality, but it drops features after a few minutes, so it's not lack of CPU/memory resources.  Big investment in LrC - nearly 600,000 images keyworded.  It's not just a bug, it's rendering the software next to useless.  Is there some preference setting, computer setting or the like that can fix this?

Arizona Bev
Known Participant
December 31, 2024

This just started with me tonight (30 Dec 24).  I'm using LR Classic and Windows 10.  Used LR two days ago and this was not an issue.  Create Virtual Copy is greyed out in the menu and the shortcut doesn't work.  Also, Edit in Photoshop is greyed out.

 

One thing I noticed that there is a new icon on my taskbar that wasn't there before.  It's Microsoft Copilot.  It's possible, I suppose that it was always there and MS just changed the icon for it.  The icon is definitely one I've never seen before tonight.

 

I have not tried to restart anything yet.

 

UPDATE:  I closed LR (and backed up the catalog), then restarted LR.  Create Virtual Copy and Edit in Photoshop are both available again.

 

GoldingD
Legend
December 31, 2024
quote

This just started with me tonight (30 Dec 24).  I'm using LR Classic and Windows 10.  Used LR two days ago and this was not an issue.  Create Virtual Copy is greyed out in the menu and the shortcut doesn't work.  Also, Edit in Photoshop is greyed out.

......

UPDATE:  I closed LR (and backed up the catalog), then restarted LR.  Create Virtual Copy and Edit in Photoshop are both available again.

 


By @Arizona Bev

Sounds like the image in question was missing. Are you having an issue with a hard drive?

Arizona Bev
Known Participant
January 1, 2025

No, not to my knowledge.  It seems to be working fine, now.

Thanks for the reply and happy New Year.

 

Participant
December 23, 2024

Same Issue - had it for days.

 

I also cannot Edit in photoshop - that entire menu item greyd out.

 

I've done everything everyone suggesed here and on other forums.

 

In the end the only thing that worked was to import the old catalogue as a new one - thats only temporary so I would have to keep creating new catalogues to keep working on my files.

 

Never had this issue before...

 

Are there other apps like LRC out there?

 

Can't deal with this anymore

Participating Frequently
December 30, 2024

Yes, I'm having this problem, I've been using LR since its inception and know exactly how to create a virtual copy and it isn't working now, it is grayed out.  Filters are not set to original files only or anything like that.  Plus I cannot create a Collection any more.  Getting frantic because I need these features for my job.  Does Adobe ever weigh in here or what? 

 

Participant
December 30, 2024

they don't.... 

 

Mine somehow magically started working again a few days later by itself.

 

THe only other thing I did since my post here was I rebooted my computer twice for no particular reason 🙂 

Participant
November 1, 2024

I had the same issue and optimized and restarted the catalog. When the catalog reopened I was able to create virtual copies again. Hope it works for you too!

Participant
December 20, 2024

Just wanted to pop on here and say that I have been having this issue for months. If I quit lightroom classic and reenter, it will work again, but after awhile it will grey out and I have to do it again. But I have noticed it isn't just for virtual copies, at least for me. It will also not allow me to export, create a new collection, etc. until I completely get out of LR CC and reenter. And before any comments are made, YES MY PHOTOS ARE SELECTED.

Participant
December 20, 2024

I'm now having an issue of create virtual copy greyed out and sometimes export is greyed out. I've deleted and tediwnloaded Lightroom this was a pain as I had to redo my settings etc. but I'm still getting same issues! I have to close LR and reopen then it works. Soo frustrating 

Participant
October 23, 2024

I'm having the exact same issue! Working fine yesterday. Now 'create virtual copy' is greyed out. 

 

Please help. Since the upgrade to 14.0.1 there has been a few bug issues. 

 

Legend
October 24, 2024
quote

I'm having the exact same issue! Working fine yesterday. Now 'create virtual copy' is greyed out. 

 

Please help. Since the upgrade to 14.0.1 there has been a few bug issues. 

 


By @nadinnew29751363

 

 

I have given a possible answer, is that helpful in your case?

Legend
October 23, 2024

Probably you have not selected a photo.

Participant
October 25, 2024

Nope, not that. Photo is most definitely selected. 

Legend
October 25, 2024

What happens if you press Ctrl-apostrophe ? Does that create a virtual copy?