What causes "Lightroom Classic Running Slow"?

Outdated GPU driver, or the integrated GPU being used instead of the dedicated one Camera Raw cache too small or on a slow external drive Catalog or previews stored in a OneDrive/Dropbox-synced folder or on an HDD 'Automatically write changes into XMP' turned on Huge preview folders on very large catalogs Regressions in a new release (users report Develop 2-3x slower after v15)

How do I fix "Lightroom Classic Running Slow"?

1. Update the GPU driver and check GPU settings: Install the latest graphics driver (NVIDIA Studio driver if available) Open Preferences > Performance and set Use Graphics Processor to Auto, or Custom with display and image processing enabled On laptops with two GPUs, make sure Lightroom uses the dedicated card; one user's performance improved after disabling the Intel integrated GPU 2. Enlarge and move the Camera Raw cache: Open Preferences > Performance > Camera Raw Cache Settings Set the maximum size to at least 10 GB (Adobe's guidance) Choose a location on your fastest internal SSD 3. Keep the catalog on a fast local drive: Move the catalog folder out of OneDrive, Dropbox or iCloud-synced folders Put it on an internal SSD Use File > Optimize Catalog and restart 4. Turn off automatic XMP writing: Open Catalog Settings > Metadata Uncheck 'Automatically write changes into XMP' (Adobe says it can significantly degrade performance) 5. Edit with Smart Previews: Build Smart Previews on import, or via Library > Previews > Build Smart Previews In Preferences > Performance, enable 'Use Smart Previews instead of Originals for image editing' 6. If it started after an update, test the previous version: Open the Creative Cloud app, click the ... next to Lightroom Classic > Other versions Install the previous release and test with a copy of the catalog Note that some releases (15.4) upgrade the catalog, so back it up first

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Lightroom Classic Running Slow

Ongoing Mac, Windows Updated October 21, 2026

Quick answer

Most slowness comes from GPU settings, a small or slow Camera Raw cache, a catalog on a slow or cloud-synced drive, or a recent update. Set the GPU to Custom/Auto with current drivers, move the cache and catalog to an internal SSD, turn off automatic XMP writing and optimize the catalog.

Most likely fix: Update the GPU driver and check GPU settings.

Symptoms

Seconds of lag when switching photos in Develop, sliders that stutter, 'Not Responding' hangs, very slow startup, or slowdowns that started after an update.

Why it happens

Outdated GPU driver, or the integrated GPU being used instead of the dedicated one
Camera Raw cache too small or on a slow external drive
Catalog or previews stored in a OneDrive/Dropbox-synced folder or on an HDD
'Automatically write changes into XMP' turned on
Huge preview folders on very large catalogs
Regressions in a new release (users report Develop 2-3x slower after v15)

How to fix it

Try these in order — the most common fix is first.

1. Update the GPU driver and check GPU settings
1. Install the latest graphics driver (NVIDIA Studio driver if available)
2. Open Preferences > Performance and set Use Graphics Processor to Auto, or Custom with display and image processing enabled
3. On laptops with two GPUs, make sure Lightroom uses the dedicated card; one user's performance improved after disabling the Intel integrated GPU
2. Enlarge and move the Camera Raw cache
1. Open Preferences > Performance > Camera Raw Cache Settings
2. Set the maximum size to at least 10 GB (Adobe's guidance)
3. Choose a location on your fastest internal SSD
3. Keep the catalog on a fast local drive
1. Move the catalog folder out of OneDrive, Dropbox or iCloud-synced folders
2. Put it on an internal SSD
3. Use File > Optimize Catalog and restart
4. Turn off automatic XMP writing
1. Open Catalog Settings > Metadata
2. Uncheck 'Automatically write changes into XMP' (Adobe says it can significantly degrade performance)
5. Edit with Smart Previews
1. Build Smart Previews on import, or via Library > Previews > Build Smart Previews
2. In Preferences > Performance, enable 'Use Smart Previews instead of Originals for image editing'
6. If it started after an update, test the previous version
1. Open the Creative Cloud app, click the ... next to Lightroom Classic > Other versions
2. Install the previous release and test with a copy of the catalog
3. Note that some releases (15.4) upgrade the catalog, so back it up first

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