please wait while catalog is being loaded

[GottaRun]

using photoshop elements 2020 version 18. I have uninstalled and reinstalled it but it never finishes "please wait while catalog is being loaded. " If I can't repair it how do I delete/reinitialize the catalog?

[GottaRun]

I should add the message shows up when clicking on the Organizer

[Greg_S. · Accepted solution]

What OS are you using?

Has the catalog ever loaded in Elements 2020?  Have you used a prior version?  If so, the catalog is being converted for use in the later version.  This can take a long time, particularly if you have a large catalog.  So, perhaps be more patient for the initial conversion to take place.  Even leave the machine running overnight. 

If that is not the problem, press shift when clicking on the Organizer icon.  That will bring up the Manage Catalogs dialog.  You can then repair and optimize an existing catalog, create a new catalog (for further trouble-shooting), or convert an existing older version catalog again.

[GottaRun]

I'm on a Mac. The press shift option was the way to go as it was still stuck overnight and my catalog isn't that big. There were a few files it could no longer find, maybe it was time-spinning looking for them but I simply deleted them from the catalog. It's working now. Thank you.