IPhoto: large black exclamation point obscuring

Why does a large black exclamation point flash onto my screen instead of the photo I clicked on?

This indicates a disconnect between the Thumbnail and the original
this can be caused by two things
1 - User action deleting items from inside the iPhoto library - can be directly - can be from the All images list (never delete from there) - can be from running cleanup software like MacKeeer, CleanMac2 or other dangerous, defective software that improperly deletes or changes things in the iPhoto library - if you have done any of these things you must restore your backup from before you did them and damaged your iPhoto library - and I recommend getting rid of any "clean up software" ASAP (although being essentially MalWear it is not easy)
2 - corruption of the iPhoto library - If it is not #1 then Back up your iPhoto library, Depress and hold the option (alt) and command keys and launch iPhoto - rebuild your database
LN

Similar Messages

When i click on a picture on iphoto a black exclamation point pops up and will not let me see the picture. it is on every picture i already tried to restart the computer.

i know it is not a question but i needd help it is soo annoying and i just wanna look at my pictures and email them to friends and family. whe i try to click on a pic on iphoto, a balck exclamation point pops up and won't let me view the picture. i already tried restarting the mac

Try this:
iPhoto Rebuild
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2638

In iPhoto on MacBook getting black exclamation point instead of photo

getting a black exclamation point in iPhoto instead of the photo. Tried holding down option & command while getting on to iPhoto. it's not working, thank you.

then download iPhoto Library Manager - http://www.fatcatsoftware.com/iplm/ - and use its rebuild command
LN

What is black exclamation point when I click on photo?

I upgraded from iPhoto '06. My photos are not the same. Some seem washed out. When I click on some to make them larger I get a black exclamation point, no photo. I can't edit them. They don't sore properly into Events.

Just remember there is no need ever to go into the iPhoto Library via the Finder. Ever.
Here are some of the alternatives.
There are three ways (at least) to get files from the iPhoto Window.
1. *Drag and Drop*: Drag a photo from the iPhoto Window to the desktop, there iPhoto will make a full-sized copy of the pic.
2. *File -> Export*: Select the files in the iPhoto Window and go File -> Export. The dialogue will give you various options, including altering the format, naming the files and changing the size. Again, producing a copy.
3. *Show File*: Right- (or Control-) Click on a pic and in the resulting dialogue choose 'Show File'. A Finder window will pop open with the file already selected.
To upload to MySpace or any site that does not have an iPhoto Export Plug-in the recommended way is to Select the Pic in the iPhoto Window and go File -> Export and export the pic to the desktop, then upload from there. After the upload you can trash the pic on the desktop. It's only a copy and your original is safe in iPhoto.
This is also true for emailing with Web-based services. If you're using Gmail you can use THIS
If you use Apple's Mail, Entourage, AOL or Eudora you can email from within iPhoto.
If you use a Cocoa-based Browser such as Safari, you can drag the pics from the iPhoto Window to the Attach window in the browser. Or, if you want to access the files with iPhoto not running, then create a Media Browser using Automator (takes about 10 seconds) or use THIS
Regards
TD

Iphoto- Can see thumbnail, but when clicked a circle with a gray circle and a black exclamation point shows up.

Once I click a picture in Iphoto this pops up.
I can clearly see the picture when its in a thumbnail. I have really Important pictures of my whole family and I would be so devastated if I lost them. I didn't mess around with Iphoto at all. All I ever did was upload pictures to it and one day this started happening to ALL my pictures on there.

Sorry,
your screenshot is not showing.
But an exclamation point usually signifies, that iPhoto cannot access the original image files.
Where is your iPhoto library located? On your system drive, or do you keep it on an external drive?
What version of iPhoto are you running?
Have you installed or updated any software lately? Run any cleaning applications, like MacKeeper, CleanYourMac?
The first thing to try would be to rebuild your iPhoto library. assuming you are using iPhoto '11, see this post by Old Toad:
Re: iphoto crashed
Regards
Léonie

IPhoto restore all from within iPhoto gives many exclamation points

Started iPhoto Browse Backups and selected Restore All. The number of events and pictures soomed to match however when I select many random photos I get the large exclamation point. I have tried all of the recovery options in iPhoto plus iPhoto Library Manager. Did I put too much faith in Time Machine?

Trying to eliminate as many variables as possible: Trashed IPhoto library; created new blank library in its place; within new iPhoto used FILE > BROWSE BACKUPS >select date PHOTOS - RESTORE ALL. Restore of 63,939 photos took many hours. When I select most photos a large exclamation point shows. What is most troubling to me is that before my problems began I had 50 GB free on my HD but now I have 311 GB free.

Used iPod for iPhoto, but iPhoto now shows "exclamation point" icons

Hello..
I was using my iPod as an external drive for my iPhoto (21gb of photos).. I un-pluged my iPod by mistake (thinking I ejected my camera after a download) and I was hit with a
"device removal
the device you removed was not properly put away.
data might have been lost or damaged."
It said more, but you get the picture.. Now, I've done this by mistake in the past with no trouble, but when I re-opened iPhoto, all of my pics were gone and replaced with a "!" icon.
Is it possible to get my photos back, or am I out of luck??
HELP!

I moved the iPhoto icon from my laptop to my iPod
"iPhoto icon"? Is that the +iPhoto Library+ file inside your Pictures folder? Did you erase the original copy of the library file from your internal hard drive? And the only copy is on your iPod?
This is not really related to using an iPod (as an iPod). If I understand your description, you were using the iPod in the same way as you would an external hard drive. Except that an iPod is a pretty risky storage device on which to store the only copy of anything; you can lose it, break it, or have data corruption on the iPod's hard drive, because an iPod is something that you carry around (and connect and disconnect from your computer all the time).
So hopefully, you have a backup of that +iPhoto Library+ file.
Also, since this in not specifically about using an iPod, you may want to post your question as a topic in the category for iPhoto users.
http://discussions.apple.com/category.jspa?categoryID=143

Black exclamation mark

I am being driven to distraction. I am running iPhoto 08. While I can see all my older photos as thumbnails, when I try to open them, or when I try to do anything with them, the photo disappears and is replaced by a blurry, white circle on a black background with a large black exclamation mark in the middle.
I also run Photoshop CS3 and Bridge CS3, but this happens whether or not I am running these Adobe products.
What the )(&^&& is going on?

Nikapika:
That "!" means that iPhoto has lost the path to the original files and the library's dB file, Library6.iPhoto, has been damaged. If rebuilding the library as suggested in the link that Larry supplied doesn't work, you'll have to start over with a new library and import the Originals folder from the old library as follows;
Creating a new library while preserving the Events from the original library.
Move the existing library folder to the desktop.
Open the library package like this.
Launch iPhoto and, when asked, select the option to create a new library.
Drag the Originals folder from the iPhoto Library on the desktop into the open iPhoto window.
This will create a new library with the same Events as the original library if you have the Finder checkbox unchecked in the Events preference pane.
If you decide to start over as described you might try following Tutorial #1 first in an attempt to keep the keywords, comments and titles of those photos still visible in the library.
Happy Holidays
TIP: For insurance against the iPhoto database corruption that many users have experienced I recommend making a backup copy of the Library6.iPhoto database file and keep it current. If problems crop up where iPhoto suddenly can't see any photos or thinks there are no photos in the library, replacing the working Library6.iPhoto file with the backup will often get the library back. By keeping it current I mean backup after each import and/or any serious editing or work on books, slideshows, calendars, cards, etc. That insures that if a problem pops up and you do need to replace the database file, you'll retain all those efforts. It doesn't take long to make the backup and it's good insurance.
I've created an Automator workflow application (requires Tiger), iPhoto dB File Backup, that will copy the selected Library6.iPhoto file from your iPhoto Library folder to the Pictures folder, replacing any previous version of it. It's compatible with iPhoto 08 libraries and Leopard. iPhoto does not have to be closed to run the application, just idle. You can download it at Toad's Cellar. Be sure to read the Read Me pdf file.

Importing photos - exclamation point (!)

I've read several of the posts regarding "missing thumbnails" in an iPhoto library. My current library is fine. However, I just returned from a vacation and am trying to import my pictures and all of the new photos I am trying to add only show up as blank white boxes and when I double click on them I get the grey/black exclamation point. I tried to rebuild the library (chose the top 3 options) and still not working. Please help! Thanks.

Brandon
The ! or ? turns up when iPhoto loses the connection between the thumbnail in the iPhoto Window and the file it represents.
The most common cause of this is User Activity in the iPhoto Library Folder in the Finder.
Have you altered, moved or renamed anything in the iPhoto Library Folder?
If you haven't, then try rebuilding the database. Hold down the apple and option (or alt) keys while launching iPhoto. Use the resulting dialogue to rebuild.
You can also try to correct the File Permissions on the Library: Download BatchMod from
http://macchampion.com/arbysoft/
And apply it to the iPhoto Library Folder using the settings found here:
http://homepage.mac.com/toad.hall/.Pictures/Forum/BatChmod.png
(Credit to Old Toad for this one).
If that fails, you may have a damaged database file:
Try these in order - from best option on down...
1. Do you have an up-to-date back up? If so, try copy the library6.iphoto file from the back up to the iPhoto Library (Right Click -> Show Package Contents) allowing it to overwrite the damaged file.
2. Download iPhoto Library Manager and use its rebuild function. This will create a new library based on data in the albumdata.xml file. Not everything will be brought over - no slideshows, books or calendars, for instance - but it should get all your albums back.
3. If neither of these work then you'll need to create and populate a new library.
To create and populate a new library:
Note this will give you a working library with the same Events and pictures as before, however, you will lose your albums, keywords, modified versions, books, calendars etc.
In the iPhoto Preferences -> Events Uncheck the box at 'Imported Items from the Finder'
Move the iPhoto Library to the desktop
Launch iPhoto. It will ask if you wish to create a new Library. Say Yes.
Go into the iPhoto Library (Right Click -> Show Package Contents) on your desktop and find the Originals folder. From the Originals folder drag the individual Event Folders to the iPhoto Window and it will recreate them in the new library.
When you're sure all is well you can delete the iPhoto Library on your desktop.
In the future, in addition to your usual back up routine, you might like to make a copy of the library6.iPhoto file whenever you have made changes to the library as protection against database corruption.
Regards
TD

When I click on almost any picture, in any album, to enlarge it, the pic starts to enlarge and then all I get is a black screen with a large exclamation point in the center. What have I done to my iPhoto program, and how do I fix it?

Recently, whenever I click on almost any of my pictures, in any album, in order to enlarge that photo, it starts to enlarge but then,
very quickly I get a black screen with a large white exclamation mark in the middle. And no full sized photo. Boo!
What did I do to my iPhoto program, and how can I fix it?
Thanks for any suggestions.
Mike H.

I'm sorry. Too old to understand this stuff. I'm sure this seems real stupid to you. But I have no idea how one
would "right click on the Original iPhoto Library" (I know, I know, 'as stated").
Do I right click on the symbol in the dock?? Or open it first and then, . . I can't find a way to right click on the word iPhoto in the top bar.
Or should I open the program you had me download. There I can find something called "original iPhoto library".
When I "right click" on that I get some options. None of them are "original folders". There's "reveal library in finder", and "dupilicate library and "sort libraries". I have no idea if any of these are what you want, or if any of these might change something.
When I clicked on "reveal library in finder" earlier on it showed me the copy of the photo library that I made a while ago, sitting right where I know it is on my desktop. And if I click on that symbol it shows me all the pictures again. Just like in my regular iPhoto files - all the thumbs are there, but most can't be opened to full sized.
Are we making progress here? I'm sure this is frustrating to you. This is just pictures of family. Even the thumbs are nice to look at. But this is nothing critical - like work related or anything.
Thanks.
Mike
t

What does the black screen with large exclamation point mean?

I'm trying to edit, or even just select a photo in iPhoto, but can't get it to come up - just the black screen with a large exclamation point. What does that mean, and how do I get back control of my photos?

It means your database is corrupted and that iPhoto has lost the link between the thumbnail in the iPhoto Window and the actual file.
Option 1
Back Up and try rebuild the library: hold down the command and option (or alt) keys while launching iPhoto. Use the resulting dialogue to rebuild. Choose to Rebuild iPhoto Library Database from automatic backup.
If that fails:
Option 2
Download iPhoto Library Manager and use its rebuild function. This will create a new library based on data in the albumdata.xml file. Not everything will be brought over - no slideshows, books or calendars, for instance - but it should get all your albums and keywords, faces and places back.
Because this process creates an entirely new library and leaves your old one untouched, it is non-destructive, and if you're not happy with the results you can simply return to your old one.
Regards
TD

I recently went to look at pictures in iphoto and once I click on them I get a black screen with an exclamation point?

It was fine yesterday? I can see the photos when I scroll over the "event" in iphoto but when I open it and click on a picture, It gives me a big exclamation point? Only on recent photos?

The ! turns up when iPhoto loses the connection between the thumbnail in the iPhoto Window and the file it represents.
Option 1
Back Up and try rebuild the library: hold down the command and option (or alt) keys while launching iPhoto. Use the resulting dialogue to rebuild. Choose to Rebuild iPhoto Library Database from automatic backup.
If that fails:
Option 2
Download iPhoto Library Manager and use its rebuild function. This will create a new library based on data in the albumdata.xml file. Not everything will be brought over - no slideshows, books or calendars, for instance - but it should get all your albums and keywords back.
Because this process creates an entirely new library and leaves your old one untouched, it is non-destructive, and if you're not happy with the results you can simply return to your old one. .
Regards
TD

I am having trouble viewing some of my pictures on iPhoto. A triangle with an exclamation point in the middle pops up instead, what can I do to get my pictures to show again?

I am having a hard time viewing some of my pictures or event file in my iPhoto library. Most of my pictures look blank with a black background and a triangle with an exclamation point in the center of the screen. Is there a way I can fix this issue?

Are they RAW image files and not JPG files? iPhoto does not support all types of RAW files. Get a Real Image Viewing/Editing/Cataloging program which iPhoto is not.

My iPhoto shows events but pictures have a gray triangle and exclamation point. How do I get my pictures back?

Hi, I noticed recently that when I am in iPhoto on my macBook Pro that some of my old pictures are no longer showing up. It happens alot with my pictures from 2013 and back but sporadically through 2014. The events are all listed and it shows how many pictures should be there but once I enter an event instead of the individual thumbnails I see a black background with a triangle and an exclamation point. I have tried to restore my iPhoto library from time machine and am either doing it wrong or possibly their is corruption there. I am getting stressed because this is TONS of my pictures. Can anyone help or offer any advice? Thank you!

This indicates a disconnect between the Thumbnail and the original
this can be caused by two things
1 - User action deleting items from inside the iPhoto library - can be directly - can be from the All images list (never delete from there) - can be from running cleanup software like MacKeeer, CleanMac2 or other dangerous, defective software that improperly deletes or changes things in the iPhoto library - if you have done any of these things you must restore your backup from before you did them and damaged your iPhoto library - and I recommend getting rid of any "clean up software" ASAP (although being essentially MalWear it is not easy)
2 - corruption of the iPhoto library - If it is not #1 then Back up your iPhoto library, Depress and hold the option (alt) and command keys and launch iPhoto - rebuild your database
LN

When I create an album and then try to watch it in slideshow, I get only a black screen with a white title. No photos come up. Also when I click on an individual photo in the album, I get a white exclamation point on a black background but no big photo.

When I create an album of photos and then open the album and try to watch it by selecting "slideshow" I get only a black screen. The white title comes up briefly but then no photos, only a black screen. Also when I go back to the album and click on a thumbnail, up comes a big white exclamation point on a black background instead of the enlarged photo. Any idea what's going on?

The ! turns up when iPhoto loses the connection between the thumbnail in the iPhoto Window and the file it represents.
Option 1
Back Up and try rebuild the library: hold down the command and option (or alt) keys while launching iPhoto. Use the resulting dialogue to rebuild. Choose to Rebuild iPhoto Library Database from automatic backup.
If that fails:
Option 2
Download iPhoto Library Manager and use its rebuild function. This will create a new library based on data in the albumdata.xml file. Not everything will be brought over - no slideshows, books or calendars, for instance - but it should get all your albums and keywords back.
Because this process creates an entirely new library and leaves your old one untouched, it is non-destructive, and if you're not happy with the results you can simply return to your old one. .
Regards
TD

IPhoto: large black exclamation point obscuring

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for