Lightroom locks into grid window after booting and cannot be brought back to standard startup window

[kolbeinl73044633]

Hi,

When I start my Lightroom classic v 9.2, Mac version, the standard (library) window comes up, but then shifts to a window with thumbnail photos of the catalog. At the top of the screen, the menu bar, shows after the apple symbol on the left: Lightroom, file, edit, library, photo, metadat, view, window and help.

Under this meny on a black background: Grid, Loupe,Compare, Survey, Slideshow. All of the different modes in this menu can be activated. Non of the choices under window seems to bring me back to the stating window. 

When I try to get to Preferrences, the window does not show up, but hides behind the windows, if clicked on it disappears. The top menu bar changes to file, edit window and help.

I cannot get around this and wander if I have to delete the existing version and reinstall Lightroom. If so, I wonder how that is done?

Thank you, 

cheers

Kolbein

[kolbeinl73044633]

PS.

I have to add that I am using a MacBook Pro running OS 11.4 with Eizo CG241W as the second screen in the setup. I cannot drag the Lightroom window over to the extra screen.

DS.

[Tony_See]

How about posting a couple of screen shots of these issues as you are experiencing them for us thanks?

Particularly the post-startup thumbnails one.

Any chance that sticky keys might be at work in the background for this?

[GoldingD]

Before uninstall/install (which may or may might not solve anything) try resetting the prefence file. This is Adobe speak for deleating the preference file, then allowing Lightroom Classic to create a new one at startup. The prefence file can get corrupted.

Following is a stnadard direction I keep on hand

___________________________________________

Sounds like a canadate for resetting the preference file. Resetting the preference file is Adobe speak for deleating the preference file and then letting Lightroom Classic to recreate it.

The preference file can get corrupted, resulting in odd behavior. Some people have a knee jerk reaction in thinking they need to uninstall then reinstall Lightroom Classic, maybe that could be called for, but it would be better to first reset the preference file.

Be aware that resetting the preference file will result in Lightroom Classic creating a new catalog instead if opening your previously opened catalog (normally) so make sure you know where your catalog is. 

Be aware the resetting the preference file will revert some settings in Preferences to defaults. So be aware of what you have changed, so that you can put those back the way you want them.

some links:

https://lightroomers.com/replacing-the-lightroom-preference-file/745/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bARt-hoCc2Q

https://helpx.adobe.com/lightroom-classic/help/setting-preferences-lightroom.html

https://helpx.adobe.com/lightroom-classic/kb/recover-catalog-images-resetting-lightroom.html