rodbarr Loc: Maryland

Yesterday I closed Lightroom 6 (non-cloud). When I tried to reopen the program later in the day it would not open. The Lightroom title page appeared and then disappeared a few seconds later. I went to the catalog and found that the Catalog.ircat.lock had been turned on. I deleted the lock and tried again. Each time I tried, the program would not open but a new catalog lock appeared. I deleted the lock, shut down and restarted the computer and tried to open Lightroom again, with the same failed result. Am I failing to do something or has the program been corrupted?

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Remove all the USB-connected devices, especially any Android phones. Then, try opening LR6 again. That the lock-file is being created says LR6 almost got to the point of opening. The solution is subtle, but probably minor.

Another trick might be to temporarily rename the LRCAT file, say add an 'x' to the name: LRCATx. This forces LR to prompt you what to do, just let a new LRCAT be created. If this lets you in, you can exit and rename the two files, placing LRCATx back to the proper name and 'saving' the empty catalog to LRCATy to see if things start successfully the next time with the original 'real' catalog. If still problems, this might help to point to where.

Finally, if you can get back in, even with just a temporary empty catalog, verify what software version you're running. It needs to report v6.14 from the Help / About menu. If you don't have LR6.14, download and save this EXE and install the final update (right-click and file-save-as to your local disk before running as a Windows ADMIN):

Windows x64
http://prdl-download.adobe.com/Lightroom/60BA1251F1BC48B8B82B1B63AE8E620E/1552643270580/Lightroom_6_LS11.exe

rodbarr Loc: Maryland

Thanks - I will try those ideas. No Android phone connected, but there is an USB connected mouse and external hard drive

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

There's a few other ideas to be tried, once you get past these and get back with an update.

tennis2618

Call Adobe. Their help group is usually very good.

jcboy3

Have you tried shutting down and starting your computer? Not a restart, but a shut down and then start up.

abc1234 Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois

This might be a plug for subscribing to LR/PS. Does Adobe support version 6 for free anymore? I have the full suite and call them a few times a year on obscure points. Since they always solve the problem, I do not mind paying for the service. Saves me a lot of time and aggravation over trying to find a solution here or with Google.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

While the problem solving effort of all the free options is nowhere near exhausted, it might be a bit premature to plan to spend $120 per year for the rest of your life.

abc1234 Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois

I go all the way. $32/month. While I am as cheap as the next guy, I find it worth it. I do try Google first because it could be faster but when that does not work, I reach for the phone.

rodbarr Loc: Maryland

Thanks. I did try that - no success.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

So, what "that" is that?

Try google: adobe lightroom 6 won't open

Focus on ideas directly from adobe.com, there's a few references in the "community" and "helpx" areas that might be useful. I had a problem with my "previews" in late 2021 where I needed to rename the existing folder and then run a mass-rebuild in LR6 to recreate the files and their indexes to the images. But, I now forget how that problem exhibited itself such that I found that solution from a similar google.

Assuming your LRCAT is fine, you make sure you have a "safe" copy of that file and see if reinstalling the software works. Then, you can just swap in the saved LRCAT. Although, I'd try finding another more-likely solution before messing with expired software that might not actually re-install.

You might too elaborate on what specially has been tried and what, if anything, was different but still not resolved.