Lightroom doesn't keep my retouches

Report · Jan 09, 2026

Hi there,

I have a problem - since forever I think. It occurs from time to time that when I use the "entfernen"-Tool it doesn't delete the elements in my remixes that I wanted to remove from the picturs, after I'm done. As sample you can see my remix of the attached picture. In the preset you can see, that I retouched a bunch of stuff (entfernen) but it actually didn't do it when I saved my remix. All the dirt and the leafs I wanted gone are back again. I didn't use the AI Version, but the simple delete tool, but a little excessive maybe 🙂

It's a pitty this doesn't work when you do it to much. Is there a solution that it may work better?

I would appreciate if there was a solution,

it's not really fun when you try to retouch as best as possible and then it was for nothing.

Thank you for every Idea or other feedback 🙂

best regards

Barbara

Report · Jan 09, 2026

Hey, @barbaras54073829. Welcome to the Lightroom Community. I'll need more info to help you figure this out.

Does this image export as expected? How many instances of the remove tool finally trigger this behavior? Does the thumbnail not match the full-screen view?

Could you record a video of your edit workflow and a series of steps that consistently reproduce the behavior?

Thanks!
Sameer K
(Type '@' and type my name to mention me when you reply)

Report · Jan 11, 2026

Dear, @Sameer K I looked and for this photo I used the delete funktion 33 times (I know it's a lot) I'm working with Photoshop normaly, so big retouchs are no issue, but for Lightroom I had this problem from the beginning. I don't know the exact amount, of using this tool before the problem accures, but about 20 times maybe?

The problem is, that it's okay before i save my remix. Only then the deleted elements of the pictures are back in place. It's like on the photo. You can see that there was something done in my preset, but it's not taken over. The thumbnail matches the full-screen-view most of the time - but I have also some remixes where the thumbnail is correct but the full-screen-view, isn't showing the retouches (delete), sometimes it looks different for other aspects to, like that my colour adjustments are not correct shown.

Best regards

Barbara

Report · Jan 12, 2026

I just looked through my remixes and found a picture where I changed 24 instances with the delete tool - that saved without problem. But the retouches were small - its a photo with spices and only some colour adjustments. So I think the problem appears maybe when the data becomes to big? I can't recall if I ever had the problem when I did other big adjustments like when I have worked with a lot of masks for the colour adjustments (But I had the issue that the mask tool stopped working when I applied to many masks) so maybe it's as simple as that and the data becomes to big to work stable with lightroom

Report · Jan 12, 2026

Hi @barbaras54073829, thanks for sharing these screenshots! However, it would be very helpful if you could send a screen recording so we can see your full workflow. Also, can you send your system info, a screen recording of your issue, and a numbered list of the exact steps needed to replicate the issue? You can find your system info by going to Help > System Info, copying and pasting it into a text file, and attaching it here. Thanks! ^CH

Report

Dear @Claire H. I tried. Didn't really work. I recreated my actions with the same picture, but this time only the preview is wrong. If you open the new remix everything is okay. But because of this matter I have observed if the issue is repeating with other workflows and apparently it does! Sometimes my colour corrections aren't saved, or a masking is dissmissed. I hope this helps. Attached my second attemp on the picture. This is how I work mostly.

Best regards

Barbara

Report

Hi @barbaras54073829, thanks for sending the screen recording! As the final step, we need your system info to help diagnose the problem.
In the meantime, can you try these basic troubleshooting steps?
1. Reset your Lightroom Preferences: https://adobe.ly/4o7JADQ
2. Make sure your computer, OS, and drivers are all up to date.

3. Update your Lightroom to the latest version.

4. Reinstall Lightroom - you can use the Creative Cloud Cleaner Tool: https://adobe.ly/4pJXxZk

Let me know if any of these steps help; otherwise, we will wait for your System Info. I hope this helps! ^CH