If a thumbnail in your Capture One catalog is flagged as Offline, the original file is out of reach, so you can’t zoom in, process, or export it. Use this guide to understand why files go offline and how to bring them back.
Contents
Why images go offline
A catalog keeps lightweight preview files so you can browse quickly, but Capture One still needs the originals for full-resolution work. When a source file is missing, the preview gains a question-mark icon and an Offline banner.
The four most common causes are:
- The drive that stores the file isn’t mounted or powered on.
- The file or its folder was renamed or moved outside Capture One.
- A server, RAID, or NAS has presented a different path than before.
- The catalog database is damaged and has lost the file reference.
To avoid offline issues, make all moves, renames, or deletions inside Capture One. “Offline” refers only to file access, not your internet connection— catalogs aren’t cloud-based.
You can still adjust an offline image using its preview, but you won’t be able to zoom beyond preview size, export, process, or create an LCC profile.
How to bring images back online
First, check the basics:
- Is the storage device connected and mounted?
- Were any files or folders moved, renamed, or deleted outside Capture One?
Case 1 — A few images are offline
- Right-click the offline thumbnail in the Browser.
- Select Locate….
- Navigate to the missing file and click Open.
Case 2 — An entire folder is offline
A red dot beside the drive name means the volume is disconnected.
An exclamation mark beside file names indicates a changed path.
- In the Library tool, right-click the missing folder.
- Select Locate… and choose the current folder location.
Tip — Locate works on folders only. Albums are virtual collections, so they don’t have a fixed path.
If files go offline repeatedly with no folder changes, the catalog might be corrupt:
- Choose File ▸ Verify Catalog or Session….
- Select the catalog, then click Verify → Repair if offered.
- If repair fails, restore your most recent catalog backup (see this guide).
FAQ
What does “Offline” mean?
Capture One can’t reach the original image file. It has nothing to do with your internet status.
Can I edit offline images?
Yes, but only with the preview’s resolution. You can’t zoom to 100 %, export, or create LCCs until the original is online.
Why are only some files offline?
They were likely moved or renamed individually. Use Locate on each thumbnail to relink them.
Why can’t I use Locate on an album?
Albums aren’t tied to a specific folder—they can contain images from anywhere—so there’s no single path to reconnect.
Additional information
To relink many images at once, right-click the parent folder in the Folders tab and choose Locate. Every missing file inside that folder updates automatically.
Troubleshooting
- Confirm all external drives are powered and mounted.
- If files drop offline again, run Verify Catalog.
- Avoid renaming or moving files outside Capture One.
- Keep regular backups so you can restore a healthy catalog if needed.
Still stuck? Contact Capture One Support for one-to-one help.