Photos Library Rebuild Failed

Question

Level 1

4 points

Photos Library Rebuild Failed

I attempt to Rebuild the library in the Photos app on Catalina 10.15.3, MacBook Air 13-inch, 2019. It failed. It hung at 99% for about 12 hours. Upon right-clicking it said 'Application Not Responding'. I regrettably forced it to close. Now when I open Photos it:

shows 'The Library could not be opened' (3145)
if I choose 'Open Other' and choose the system library
it gives the error message 'client requested library rebuild'

The library file is there and about the same size as before, 270GB. It's large. When I show the contents the photos are there.

How can I get this fixed?

MacBook Air 13", macOS 10.15

Posted on Mar 27, 2020 6:03 AM

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Answer 1

Old Toad

Level 10

210,585 points

Mar 27, 2020 11:06 AM in response to raburr

If you're referring to this graphical representation of storage

then don't. It's known to be widely inaccurate. Select your Pictures folder or the Photos Library package and bring up the Info pane for it, ⌘+i. That's the accurate way to get the library size.

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Answer 2

raburr Author

Level 1

4 points

May 14, 2020 1:58 AM in response to oddysseey

It runs in the background while it's not open. Then, days later it's fine. It had completed the process. I didn't check processes, you might see it there. Took about a week. No idea what it's doing. And I left the Mac on, just idle. And I saw no signs of anything happening. Just faith and patience.

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Answer 3

raburr Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 6, 2020 3:42 PM in response to raburr

It took many days, but it finished. So, waiting was the answer. Now it appears fine.

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Answer 4

léonie

Level 10

197,279 points

Mar 27, 2020 7:01 AM in response to raburr

Where is the library stored? In your Pictures folder or on an external volume? If it is on an external volume, what is the file system format? Has the volume been used for Time Machine backups?

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