Can not open or repair Photos Library

Question

Level 1

88 points

Can not open or repair Photos Library

Trying to fix problem of multiple libraries. The one I've been using last couple of years now can't open or repair. When try to open, I get, "Photos was unable to open the library “MBP>08/17.photoslibrary”. (5416)"

When opened repair screen and clicked on the library, I got this: "Photos was unable to open the library “MBP>08/17.photoslibrary”. (3142)” I posted on that problem yesterday, but no response.

What do alerts 5416 and 3142 mean? Anything?

thanks

MacBook Air Apple Silicon

Posted on Mar 6, 2023 7:40 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

léonie

Level 10

195,499 points

Mar 6, 2023 8:35 AM in response to ArmandoWyo

Try, if renaming the library will help.

The filename of the Photos Library “MBP>08/17.photoslibrary” is very problematic, as the characters ">" and "/" are having a special meaning in the shell. Can Photos open or repair the library, if you rename it MBP_08_17.photoslibrary ?

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Answer 2

Mar 7, 2023 11:20 AM in response to ArmandoWyo

ArmandoWyo wrote: Should I try a restart?

Re-starting is always a good plan (even if rarely needed) to fix things. It's the new "kick it" to make stuff work.

If that doesn't work, try restarting in Safe Mode. This bypasses certain potentially disruptive processes. It's different for different computers, so see this:

Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support

Are you using iCloud to sync your devices?

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Answer 3

ArmandoWyo Author

Level 1

88 points

Mar 7, 2023 10:24 AM in response to léonie

Leonie, that sounds excellent. Specially when I tried to do it, and I got this warning: "MBP>08/17.photoslibrary” can’t be renamed right now because another operation is in progress, such as moving or copying an item or emptying the Trash."

I had the file on an external HD, and had moved it back to MBA Picture's folder. and same thing happened when tried to rename each. I had nothing going on with either MBP library. but I emptied trash. made sure no photos open. Same warning.

Should I try a restart?

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Answer 4

ArmandoWyo Author

Level 1

88 points

Mar 7, 2023 10:49 AM in response to Yer_Man

Mac OS Extended (Journaled). A LaCie 1T portable that I've used for 3 or 4 years to store photos, photo libraries, music and audiobooks when ran out of storage on MBP. my current MBA M1 is 2T. So, I'm slowly moving things back to MBA. that's why trying to merge Photos Libraries.

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Answer 5

ArmandoWyo Author

Level 1

88 points

Mar 7, 2023 11:35 AM in response to Richard.Taylor

in order, will try restart; then safe mode. No iCloud. very bad luck syncing with iCloud. doubled Contacts and tripled-quadrupled Calendar. I am also in area with very bad connection, less than 1 Mbps.

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Answer 6

ArmandoWyo Author

Level 1

88 points

Mar 7, 2023 12:32 PM in response to ArmandoWyo

The restart did it. changed name replacing ">" and "-". And changes held, and then allowed me to open the Photo Library. Now that this hiccup is resolved I can move onto merging my 2 Photo Libraries. Think I'll start a new post asking for advice.

Thanks folks.

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