Troubleshooting AI/Effects Presets - Freeze/Lag
FollowSometimes users will run into trouble with special effects or AI-powered presets not working as expected on their machine, so we've compiled some troubleshooting tips and strategies directly from Adobe and other users!
While we are happy to provide 1:1 support to troubleshoot the installation and use of our presets and other resources, when it comes to software or computer issues we can't offer in-depth support. So, to point you in the right direction to troubleshoot for yourself, we've created this article including tips and tricks directly from Adobe and informed by user experience!
It is import to note that presets work by triggering existing processes or settings changes in Lightroom. Thus, any computing/detecting error, lag/delay, or crash usually has to do with limited processing power (such as limited RAM, incompatible GPU, multiple programs open, maxed out cache or scratch disk, etc.) So often, what seems like an issue with a preset is actually a software or computer issue!
Disclaimer: This article includes suggestions based on research directly from the Adobe site and forums. We recommend following the official Adobe optimization guide linked below as a first resource. If you are not comfortable making changes to your software preferences or computer, we recommend calling Adobe Support directly and providing them with info about your experience as well as the exact error message you are receiving.
Covered Topics:
I Have a Powerful Computer, Why the Crash/Lag?
Error: AI Preset won't apply/Cannot update settings
Error: AI Preset doesn't contain any masks
Error: AI Preset can't detect Sky/Subject/Background, etc.
Lightroom is Crashing
Lightroom is Lagging
Having to Constantly Update AI Masks?
Error: Not Enough Memory/Other Memory related errors
When All Else Fails
I have a great computer, why would the computer/software be the problem?
Lightroom & Photoshop require a LOT of processing power, so they need to be optimized to your machine to prevent software failure. Even if you have an amazing computer, a compatible GPU per Adobe's compatibility test, and sufficient RAM (Minimum of 8GB, with an ideal of 16GB or more) and 4GB+ VRAM allotted to your GPU, you may still need to optimize Lightroom! If you are not routinely cleaning and optimizing your software, you may run into some unnecessary slowdowns - especially if consistently working through large batches of images!
Our AI/Effects Presets trigger multiple local adjustments and involve multiple Adobe processes, so this requires quite a bit of power for computing and rendering changes. However, with a compatible machine and optimized software, these should run as intended and you should not be seeing regular crash or lag.
Adobe Sensei AI computing triggered by an AI preset, can take a few seconds, and longer if copying across a large set of images, but shouldn't absolutely freeze your machine or cause lag/drag. If you are experiencing lag or crash with AI presets, you would be experiencing the same lag or crash with extensive use of Lightroom's AI features across multiple images, without the presets.
If you have a great machine AND you've optimized your software per Adobe standard recommendations, you may have an issue with how your files are stored. We discuss this more under the "When all else fails" section of this article.
Thus, it is important to start by identifying the exact error you are experiencing, and running through Adobe-advised troubleshooting steps from there!
AI Preset Errors: Won't Apply/Masking Errors
If you attempt to apply an AI preset and it doesn't apply, or it throws a masking error like "there are no masks" or "no x were detected" this could indicate :
- You are not in the most up-to-date version of your software. You can check this under Help > Updates...
- For Lightroom Classic, if cache/or scratch disk is full it can skip application of smart masks. Clearing or optimizing these may help. a restart of your software may resolve this as well. If your GPU fails or you max out your memory - restarting the software also helps!
- For Lightroom (CC) if you see a "there are no masks" error, try clicking the preset once more, to account for preview and application delay bugs existing in the current software.
- Your image may be lower quality, compressed, or lacking certain distinct data points, so the aspects you are attempting to mask may not be fully decipherable. Or your image may not contain a sky, a human subject, visible teeth, etc. For example: A People Mask for hair cannot apply to animal fur!
Trying to sync AI settings across a photoset and get a "Cannot Update AI Settings for X Photos" error? This is an unfortunately common problem with a wealth of reports across Adobe forums, but very little answers. Sometimes if you restart Lightroom, you can then complete the process as it allows your machine to sort of reorient, other times it will work once but fail the next time. Often this indicates a GPU struggling to keep up, or not enough VRAM allotted to your GPU.
Lightroom is Crashing
If your system is crashing when you use special effects or AI-powered presets, you'll first want to check your GPU! You can check your GPU compatibility HERE on the Adobe Website. Unfortunately, even powerful GPUs from just a few years ago don't necessarily have the architecture to support the latest AI processing.
Lightroom is Lagging
In cases where Lightroom lag or crashing is involved, typically this is a GPU, cache, or catalog optimization issue, as the presets simply work to trigger Lightroom's built-in masking functions. Here are some things you can try to improve Lightroom Performance
Lightroom CC lagging?
- This may be a space or network issue! - be sure the cloud icon is active, sync is on, and that you have sufficient Creative Cloud storage
- Another Program may be using required resources
- Close any other open programs
- You may need to update!
- Check under Help > Updates
- Just updated & New update causing the issue? - You may need to dial back one version via the creative cloud app, or you may need to uninstall and reinstall LRCC!
Lightroom Classic Lagging?
- Optimize Lightroom Classic
- Adobe's Guide to Optimization
- Clear LR Cache or increase Cache
- Optimize your LR Catalog - "Optimize Catalog" triggers Lightroom to examine the data structure of the catalog and make sure that it is both correct and succinct. This will ensure that your catalog continues to operate smoothly.
To optimize the catalog, go to the File menu > Optimize Catalog and give it a moment to do its thing.
Once it’s completed reboot Lightroom/your machine and see if the crashing continues.
Having to Constantly Update AI Masks?
Ever open Lightroom Classic back up after a long editing session and find that you need to update PREVIOUSLY applied AI masks? This can be the case for users who work off of a cloud drive (especially Mac users who store their working images on iCloud) or network drives, as Lightroom communicates best with items stored locally. If you don't want to have to reapply masks each time you reopen Lightroom - whether applied manually or with our presets - you'll likely need to store your working images on a local drive.
Memory Errors
Though a minimum of 8gb or ram and 4gb VRAM are required for the latest AI processes, we recommend at least 16gb of matched RAM to get the best experience.
If you have 16gb or more of RAM and you see Adobe throwing memory errors, there may be a memory leak involved that a future update or a fresh install will fix. There have been reported instances of Lightroom using all available RAM and slowing to a crawl, even on systems with up to 128gb of RAM!
When All Else Fails
If none of the above changes improve your experience of AI Presets/Effects, and you have a new computer that passes all Adobe's current GPU requirements, you may be experiencing issues with how your workflow is set up!
How are your running Lightroom?
Ideally you want Lightroom and your current working catalog to be installed and running off your fastest computer drive, usually an SSD.
Do you have enough space?
Be sure to check you have enough space on your working drive (the drive on which Lightroom is installed and your images are stored). Sometimes, because Adobe creates large caches (and sometimes massive crash report files you may not even know are there) this can create issues with space which can stall and slow down your experience in Lightroom! So you'll want to be on top of file maintenance and be sure Adobe has enough working space!
Have you tried a fresh install?
Often Adobe will recommend uninstalling and reinstalling Lightroom or Photoshop to resolve certain functionality issues. Be sure all of your presets/actions/images/catalogs and all other resources have been fully backed up to a secure external or cloud drive before moving forward with this option as a fresh install (like a large upgrade) will clear everything out!
Upgrade your Machine
Unfortunately, if you feel you've exhausted everything and cannot resolve freeze or lag issue with AI Adaptive Presets & Effects Tools, or you continue to struggle any of the built-in AI functionality within Adobe's editing software, you may need to upgrade your computer/laptop to one that has the computing and graphics processing power to fit your editing needs! Adobe lists their official recommended requirements HERE. (Note: Even if your computer has 16gb of ram or more, an out-of-date processor can still be known to struggle with AI computing!)