Why are some photos blank

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HFB Author

Level 1

14 points

Why are some photos blank

Some my photos have been replaced by blank squares. How can I see them

iMac 27″, macOS 12.6

Posted on Nov 21, 2022 7:01 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Richard.Taylor

Level 6

16,783 points

Nov 22, 2022 11:25 AM in response to HFB

HFB wrote: Does this mean I have more than one library? Could another library be where the missing pictures are?

Close Photos. Then Option-click on the Photos icon, and it should show you a list of Photos Libraries to choose from.

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Answer 2

Old Toad

Level 10

215,118 points

Nov 22, 2022 9:08 AM in response to HFB

Were these photos OK before? If so have you migrated to a new Mac, moved the library to a different volume or upgrade the system since then?

Blank thumbnails indicate the link to the original/soure files is broken. That can occur if you have a "referenced" library

and have moved the library to another volume. One thing you can do is rotate one of the blank thumbnails 90˚ one way and then back again. This will rebuild the thumbnail and if the link is good regenerate it.

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Answer 3

Old Toad

Level 10

215,118 points

Nov 22, 2022 11:12 AM in response to HFB

You've got iCloud Photos enabled along with "Optimize Mac Storage". You're having trouble downloading the full sized files of the photos. I don't use iCloud Photos so can't address it any further.

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Answer 4

HFB Author

Level 1

14 points

Nov 22, 2022 10:58 AM in response to Richard.Taylor

Thanks, O T. I tried rotating and got a cloud message: "Error Downloading Photo. "An error occurred while loading a higher quality version of this photo. Please try again later"

Thanks, Richard. Use as system photo library is greyed out.

"Copy items to the photos library" is checked.

Photos>Preferences>iCloud is checked

"Optimize Mac Storage" is now checked instead of "Download originals to this Mac"

I also noticed that in Photos>Preferences>General, the library location is User>Pictures>Photos Library 2. Does this mean I have more than one library? Could another library be where the missing pictures are?

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Answer 5

Nov 22, 2022 9:40 AM in response to HFB

Oops-- didn't realize OT has posted while I was distracted.

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Answer 6

HFB Author

Level 1

14 points

Nov 22, 2022 12:12 PM in response to Richard.Taylor

Thank you so much, Richard!

It worked and was so simple. Every is back. Now I am going to do something most Mac users don't do (me, in particular): Study the manual.

Hiram

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Why are some photos blank

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