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Lightroom Classic

Lightroom Classic

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  1. Lightroom Classic User Guide
  2. Introduction to Lightroom Classic
    1. What's new in Lightroom Classic
    2. Lightroom Classic system requirements
    3. Lightroom Classic | Common Questions
    4. Lightroom Classic Key Concepts
    5. Lightroom Classic tutorials
    6. Feature summary | Lightroom CC 2015.x/Lightroom 6.x releases
  3. Lightroom and Adobe services
    1. Creative Cloud Libraries
    2. Using Adobe Stock in Creative Cloud apps
  4. Lightroom for mobile, TV, and the web
    1. Adobe Photoshop Lightroom for mobile and Apple TV | FAQ
    2. Sync Lightroom Classic with Lightroom ecosystem
    3. Photoshop family of mobile apps
  5. Import photos
    1. Import photos from a camera or card reader
    2. Import photos from a folder on a hard drive
    3. Import photos automatically
    4. Import photos from Photoshop Elements
    5. Import photos from a tethered camera
    6. Specify import options
    7. Set import preferences
    8. The Filename Template Editor and Text Template Editor
  6. Workflows
    1. Apply Masking in photos
    2. Export and save your photos as JPEGs
    3. Export and watermark your photos
    4. Import your photos
    5. Adjustment Brush: the basics
    6. Adjustments with the Tone Curve
    7. Advanced video slideshows
    8. Control white balance
    9. Create a contact sheet
    10. Enhance your workflow with Lightroom Classic
    11. Adjustments with Lens Blur
    12. Edit and Export in HDR
  7. Workspace
    1. Workspace basics
    2. Set preferences for working in Lightroom Classic
    3. Display the Library on a second monitor
    4. Personalize identity plates and module buttons
    5. Watermark your photos in Lightroom Classic
    6. Color management
  8. Viewing photos
    1. View photos
    2. Browse and compare photos
    3. Set Library view options
    4. Share photos for comments and feedback
    5. Smart Previews
  9. Manage catalogs and files
    1. Lightroom Classic catalog FAQ
    2. How Lightroom Classic catalogs work
    3. Create and manage catalogs
    4. Back up a catalog
    5. Locate missing photos
    6. Create and manage folders
    7. Manage photos within folders
  10. Maps
    1. Work with the Map module
  11. Organize photos in Lightroom Classic
    1. Face recognition
    2. Work with photo collections
    3. Group photos into stacks
    4. Flag, label, and rate photos
    5. Use keywords
    6. Metadata basics and actions
    7. Find photos in the catalog
    8. Work with video in Lightroom Classic
    9. Advanced metadata actions
    10. Use the Quick Develop panel
  12. Process and develop photos
    1. Develop module basics
    2. Create panoramas and HDR panoramas
    3. Flat-Field Correction
    4. Correct distorted perspective in photos using Upright
    5. Improve image quality using Enhance
    6. Work with image tone and color
    7. Masking
    8. Apply local adjustments
    9. HDR photo merge
    10. Develop module options
    11. Retouch photos
    12. Cure red eye and pet eye effects
    13. Use the Radial Filter tool
    14. Use the enhanced Spot Removal tool
  13. Export photos
    1. Export files to disk or CD
    2. Export photos from Lightroom Classic
    3. Publish photos online
    4. Export to hard drive using publish services
    5. Presets for export, and other settings
  14. Work with external editors
    1. External Editing preferences
    2. Open and edit Lightroom Classic photos in Photoshop or Photoshop Elements
  15. Slideshows
    1. Create slideshows
    2. Slideshow module panels and tools
    3. Specify the slide layout
    4. Add overlays to slides
    5. Play and export slideshows
  16. Print photos
    1. Print module basics
    2. Print module layouts and templates
    3. Work with print job options and settings
  17. Photo books
    1. Create photo books
  18. Web galleries
    1. Create web galleries
    2. Use the Web module panels and tools
    3. Work with web gallery layouts
    4. Work with web gallery templates and settings
    5. Preview, export, and upload web photo galleries
  19. Keyboard shortcuts
    1. Keyboard shortcuts
  20. Troubleshooting 
    1. Fixed Issues
    2. Known Issues

If you add, delete, move, or rename image files or folder containing the image files in the Finder (macOS) or Explorer (Windows), the link between the files and the Lightroom Classic catalog breaks. When a catalog can't find a photo, Lightroom Classic displays a Photo is missing icon () in image cells in the Grid view and the Filmstrip. 

Photo Is Missing
The Photo Is Missing icon in an image cell

 In the Develop module, Lightroom Classic indicates that the photo could not be found, or is offline or missing.

The file could not be found
The file could not be found message in the Develop module when the link from the catalog to the photo is broken

Solution

How to find missing images and folders in Lightroom Classic

 

Follow the steps below to help locate your missing photos and restore links to the catalog.

Note:

Links between a catalog and its photos can also break if photos are stored on an external drive that is offline. If the drive is offline, turn it on. If the drive letter has changed, change it back to the letter Lightroom Classic expects.

  1. (Optional) In the Library module, choose Library > Find All Missing Photos to display missing files in the Grid view.

  2. Select the Photo is missing icon () in a thumbnail cell in the Grid view.

    Note:

    The Photo is missing icon also appears at the bottom of the Histogram panel. You can select it there, too.

    A dialog box opens and displays the last known location of the missing photo.

    Locate
    Lightroom Classic asks if you'd like to find the missing photo and tells you where the original was located.

  3. Select the Locate button, navigate to where the photo is currently located, and then choose Select.

  4. (Optional) In the Locate Missing Photo dialog box, select Find nearby missing photos to have Lightroom Classic search for other missing photos in the folder and reconnect them as well.

    Find nearby missing photos
    Find nearby missing photos

    Note:

    If an entire folder of photos is missing — the folder is grayed out in the Folders panel and has a question mark icon — you can relink all the photos at once by right-clicking (Windows) or Control-clicking (macOS) on the folder and choosing Find Missing Folder from the context menu. See Locate missing folders. 

    Missing folder icon is highlighted.

    For macOS: Select Show options button to open the folders.

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