MacBook Pro Photos app: "Cannot Start Editing" error

Problem editing photos in MacBook Pro photo library

Until recently I could edit photos (crop, adjust color, etc.) in the photo library on my MacBook Pro. Now when I pull up a photo and click on Edit, a box appears that says " Cannot Start Editing. Photos cannot load edits for this image." Does anyone know how to fix this?

Posted on Feb 1, 2026 5:24 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Feb 1, 2026 6:25 PM

"MacBook Pro Photos app: 'Cannot Start Editing' error: Problem editing photos in MacBook Pro photo library Until recently I could edit photos (crop, adjust color, etc.) in the photo library on my MacBook Pro. Now when I pull up a photo and click on Edit, a box appears that says ' Cannot Start Editing. Photos cannot load edits for this image." Does anyone know how to fix this?"

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"Cannot Start Editing" in Photos App:


A. Delete VPNs:

Do you have any VPNs installed? If so, delete them, and then restart your Mac. Log in as the same user, and then perform this once more


B. Backup, then Update your Mac:

What's the model of your Mac and which macOS is installed? You should back up your Mac with

  • Model: Go to: Apple menu > About this Mac > View the dulled out text
  • macOS: Go to: Apple menu > About this Mac > View: macOS

IMPORTANT: Back up your Mac, and create a Time Machine Backup of your Mac. Once Backed up, perform the update. In doing all of this,, you'll have something to restore your Mac from, should anything go wrong during or after the update.


C. Download these:

Are these locally stored? If not, download then, and then see if this issue still arises.


D. Single-Out this User:

For troubleshooting purposes, try creating a new Administrator user, logging into it, and see if you still get this issue. If not, then is is an issue with this current usr. IF so, it is likely a systemwide error. Trash this user you've just created.

1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Feb 1, 2026 6:25 PM in response to BStuts

"MacBook Pro Photos app: 'Cannot Start Editing' error: Problem editing photos in MacBook Pro photo library Until recently I could edit photos (crop, adjust color, etc.) in the photo library on my MacBook Pro. Now when I pull up a photo and click on Edit, a box appears that says ' Cannot Start Editing. Photos cannot load edits for this image." Does anyone know how to fix this?"

-------


"Cannot Start Editing" in Photos App:


A. Delete VPNs:

Do you have any VPNs installed? If so, delete them, and then restart your Mac. Log in as the same user, and then perform this once more


B. Backup, then Update your Mac:

What's the model of your Mac and which macOS is installed? You should back up your Mac with

  • Model: Go to: Apple menu > About this Mac > View the dulled out text
  • macOS: Go to: Apple menu > About this Mac > View: macOS

IMPORTANT: Back up your Mac, and create a Time Machine Backup of your Mac. Once Backed up, perform the update. In doing all of this,, you'll have something to restore your Mac from, should anything go wrong during or after the update.


C. Download these:

Are these locally stored? If not, download then, and then see if this issue still arises.


D. Single-Out this User:

For troubleshooting purposes, try creating a new Administrator user, logging into it, and see if you still get this issue. If not, then is is an issue with this current usr. IF so, it is likely a systemwide error. Trash this user you've just created.

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MacBook Pro Photos app: "Cannot Start Editing" error

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