Organizer 2025 crashing after start up

[kent_8297]

I purchased the Elements 2025 package this weekend and was able to install all three applications (Organizer, Photoshop, Premiere) and edit a few photos.  I started setting up Organizer and after importing my photos (approx. 25,000 files) it started consistently crashing.  I have followed the guidance on the support page (e.g. restarting, reinstalling, changing some file names) but the problem persists.  Sometimes the crash occurs within 15 seconds of opening. 

Given the nature of the crashes, I am wondering if my Macbook Air simply doesn't have horsepower to run Organizer 25.  My Mac has the Apple M1 chip, 8GB RAM and 245GB of hard-disk space available.  I am running the Sonoma 14.6.1 OS. I haven't been able to determine what VRAM the machine has.  

From this info, do you have a guess at what the problem is?

[Glenn 8675309]

Your system meets the basic os requirements.   HAve you installed any plugins?

[kent_8297]

No plug ins.

[Aisha_Zia]

Here are some steps you can take to address the crashing issue with Organizer on your MacBook Air:

1. Import Smaller Batches: Since you have a large collection of photos (around 25,000), importing them all at once might be overwhelming your system. Try importing smaller batches of photos to see if the software can handle them better.

2. Free Up System Resources:

   • Close any unnecessary applications running in the background to free up RAM and processing power.
   • Use the Activity Monitor to check which processes are consuming the most memory or CPU and terminate any unnecessary ones.

3. Clear Cache and Preferences: Sometimes, accumulated cache and corrupt preferences can cause crashes. Clear the cache in the Organizer application and reset any preferences to default. You can find these in the app’s settings or manually by navigating to your system’s Library folder.

4. Check for Software Updates:

   • Ensure that macOS and all your applications (Organizer, Photoshop, and Premiere) are up-to-date. Updates often include bug fixes and performance improvements that might resolve your crashing issue.
   • Go to System Preferences > Software Update to check for macOS updates and update your apps through the respective app stores or support websites.

5. Increase Virtual Memory (Swap Space): If your system is running low on RAM, macOS will use virtual memory (on the hard drive) to compensate. You can free up disk space and ensure there's enough space for the system to create this virtual memory. Delete unused files or move them to an external drive.

6. Optimize Photo Files: Large files can cause Organizer to struggle. If possible, try reducing the resolution or file size of some of your photos before importing them.

7. Reinstall the Application: Sometimes, a clean reinstall of the Organizer application can resolve issues. Uninstall the app completely, restart your Mac, and then reinstall it from scratch.

8. Run Diagnostics: Use Apple Diagnostics to check your Mac’s hardware for potential issues. Shut down your Mac, turn it on, and immediately press and hold the D key to run diagnostics. This can help identify any underlying hardware problems.

9. Check System Requirements: Double-check if your MacBook Air meets the recommended system requirements for running the full Elements 2025 suite. While the Apple M1 chip is powerful, having only 8GB of RAM and integrated graphics could cause limitations when handling large files in applications like Organizer.

If these solutions do not resolve the issue, consider reducing the number of files in your Organizer catalog or upgrading to a system with more RAM and dedicated GPU resources for smoother performance.