Catalogs LR not closing properly

[krewerc]

Lightroom Version Number

14.0.1

Operating System

1. macOS 15 Sequoia
2. iOS

Huge mess in my catalog, so I downloaded a clean copy LR which I run on an external SSD. I prefer to keep all photos and LR on external drives.
Now whenever I use LR it does not close correctly and I cannot eject the ssd. I have preferences set to backup on every exit, but the backup dialog does not appear when I exit. The program closes, no dialogue, the disc spins eternally. The backup is set to go to; Volumes/Photo A/ 2024 catalog. The file name is 2024 Catalog.lrcat.
I don't see a file of catalog backups anywhere. I don't think I am getting any backup. I am lost obviously!
Is there anything I can do to avoid more loss of information?

Thanks in advance,
candyK
MacBook Pro, sequoia 15.1.1

 

[Califdan]

I prefer to keep all photos and LR on external drives.

Many of us do this as well. The LrC programs (what you install) should go on your internal drive, but the Catalog and images can certainly go on you external SSD

Now whenever I use LR it does not close correctly and I cannot eject the ssd. I have preferences set to backup on every exit, but the backup dialog does not appear when I exit.

Very odd. Can you show a screen shot of the "every time lightroom exits" dialog? You did remember to click "OK" when you changed the settings?

The program closes, no dialogue, the disc spins eternally. The backup is set to go to; Volumes/Photo A/ 2024 catalog. The file name is 2024 Catalog.lrcat.
I don't see a file of catalog backups anywhere. I don't think I am getting any backup. I am lost obviously!

You are correct to be concerned about this.

If you do have the "Every time Lightroom Exits" set as you state, the fact that don't get the dialog box upon exiting is the first thing to deal with. I'm not a Mac person, but I have seen many forum threads, more often with Macs, pointing to permissions when things just mysteriously don't happen. Try creating a new empty catalog on your internal drive (in the Pictures -> Lightroom folder. Add a couple of images to that catalog where the images are also in the Pictures folder on your internal drive. Assures the catalog settings for backups is "everytime Lightroom Exits". then exit LrC and see what happens. Did you get the dialog box?

If so, then I'l look at permissions on the external SSD.

If not, then try resetting your preferences. You can get detailed information on how to do this here: https://www.lightroomqueen.com/how-do-i-reset-lightrooms-preferences/

Get back to us after doing these things and we'll see where to go next if needed.

 

[krewerc]

Thank you very much! I have created the testing catalog on my hard drive and when I exit I did get the dialogue! I'm now checking permissions on the ssd. I wipe my new ssd then format to apple (APFS), so there are no permissions?
OK I may have found it. It says I have custom access to read& write, others are read only ie staff/ everyone.
I followed the article you referenced, deleted the LR something file and now when I reset it all I have an exit dialogue! and I have a backup file!
Thank you sooo very much! Not sure what the trick was, just glad its working!
Happy holidays! back to taking photos now