If you can’t import your files into Capture One, your files don’t appear after import, or your editing tools are greyed out, there are a few common causes and solutions. This guide will help you fix file import and editing issues step by step.
Contents
- Files are greyed out or cannot be selected when importing
- Files don’t appear in the import dialog
- Your version of Capture One may not support your camera
- Files don’t appear after clicking Open
- Tools are greyed out after import
- Capture One can’t read files due to permissions
- Tools unavailable after upgrading a catalog or session
- Files are read-only in Capture One
- Check editing settings in Preferences
- Thumbnails show an eye icon
- File is too small or too large
- Editing images in the Trash
- Files are locked
Solutions
Files are greyed out or cannot be selected when importing
When importing, make sure you select the folder containing your images and then click Open. Your images should then appear in the import dialogue, where you can name and save them to your chosen folder or album.
Files don’t appear in the import dialog
Capture One only reads RAW files from these supported cameras. If a file has been altered by another application, it may no longer be recognized as a supported RAW.
In addition, not all formats are supported for a specific camera (e.g. RAW-S files taken with some Nikon won't be picked by Capture One).
Importing directly from a camera card
If you try to import images directly from a camera’s memory card while it’s still inside the camera, Capture One won’t recognize them. Capture One communicates with cameras over PTP for tethering, not as a storage device.
To import your files, copy them first using a card reader or your computer’s built-in reader. Then import them into Capture One as usual.
Some cameras (for example, Fujifilm) offer two connection modes: card reader and remote control. To import files normally, set your camera to card reader mode.
Your version of Capture One may not support your camera
Each version of Capture One supports a specific set of camera models. If your camera is newer than the version you are running, it may not be supported.
If the version of Capture One that includes support for your camera is newer than the one you have, you may need to upgrade.
Subscribers always have access to the latest version they are eligible for, which ensures ongoing support for new cameras.
You can see the list of supported cameras with their respective Capture One versions here: Camera models and RAW file support in Capture One
To upgrade to a new version of Capture One, please see here: Where can I purchase Capture One?
Files don’t appear after clicking Open
If your images are inside subfolders, make sure to tick Include Subfolders in the Import From section.
If files are still missing:
- Check if the file format is supported in your version of Capture One (see release notes).
- Check your Global Filters under View → Global Filters. For example, if Always Hide JPEG Files is enabled, JPEGs won’t appear until you untick it.
Tools are greyed out after import
If RAW files can’t be edited and tools are greyed out, Capture One might be running in the wrong activation mode (Capture One for Phase One / DB mode). Images will display with an eye icon.
To fix this, go to Capture One → License, deactivate DB mode, and activate a Pro or other license.
Learn how to switch product variants
Capture One can’t read files due to permissions
This often happens with external drives. Try working from a local drive.
On macOS, make sure Capture One has the required permissions: Allow full access on macOS →
If a file is unsupported or read-only, you’ll see a crossed pencil icon.
Note: JPEG files will also show read-only if Enable JPEG Editing is disabled in Preferences.
Tools unavailable after upgrading a catalog or session
If you’ve upgraded to a new version of Capture One but can’t access new tools, you need to upgrade the Processing Engine for your images.
Create a new variant and upgrade the engine under Base Characteristics in the Color tool tab.
Files are read-only in Capture One
- TIF/JPG/PSD/PNG files not in RGB color space are read-only. As of Capture One 16.5.6, editing grayscale images is supported.
- Layered TIFFs (with alpha channels or layers) can only be viewed. Exporting creates a flattened version.
- PSD files can be viewed if saved with “maximize compatibility” enabled. Exporting creates a flattened version.
- HDR DNGs from third-party apps are not fully supported. For consistent results, use original RAWs or export TIFFs before importing.
Check editing settings in Preferences
- Open Preferences:
- macOS: Capture One → Preferences
- Windows: Edit → Preferences
- Go to the Image tab.
- Under Editing, make sure JPEG, TIFF, and PNG editing is enabled.
Thumbnails show an eye icon
This means the file can’t be edited in your current Capture One variant.
Example: In Capture One for Fujifilm, you can edit .RAF files but not RAWs from Canon or DNGs.
File is too small or too large
- Minimum side for viewing: 16 px
- Minimum side for editing: 512 px
- Maximum size: 40,000 px × 20,000 px (width × height must not exceed this)
Editing images in the Trash
If you’re viewing images in the Trash, their thumbnails will show a crossed pencil.
To restore them, drag the images back to All Images in the Library tool.
Files are locked
Some cameras mark RAW files as locked on the memory card. Capture One can’t import locked files.
Copy them to your computer, then unlock them via the file’s Properties window. After unlocking, you can import them.
Comments
13 comments
I can understand why C1 doesn't want to edit small jpegs. However I certainly wish it can still manage those in the catalog with the DAM features, including setting ratings, color labels, keywords etc. As a hobbyist, I do have some photos from ages ago with one edge falling below the cut line. Having to upscale and reorganize the catalog is tedious. Is it possible to separate photo content editing from metadata editing / DAM?
Capture one express fuji trying to import.
I selected one photo jpeg and raw same image. and did the following...
Import all - import into catalog - 2 images have been imported to internal catalog, no errors - take me there - no images selected!
I have spent hours trying different images, images from my computer, images from the memory card. I deleted the whole program and reinstalled (two times now!) it and i am still having this issue.
The worst thing is i just want to edit and store how i want on my external hard drive, not use the catalog system, or use as little as possible.
Can someone please help me at least import so i can edit, which must be easy compared to this.
I have tried both add to catalog and copy to catalog with both files stored in my computer and direct from the memory card.
From computer memory: add to catalog - import all - import into the catalog.
A box pops up with "two images have been imported to internal catalog - no errors occurred during import. - "take me there" When i click that, "no images selected come on screen"
I don't know where to go from here, Picasa maybe :)
Well i have deleted and reinstalled the program again and i have exactly the same issue. Maybe somehow it is remembering previous setting, but i can't see how. Extremely disappointed that a catalog problem can cause so much time wasted and failure to be able to learn to edit. If i had paid for this i would be demanding my money returned.
I have again deleted the program and all files i could find. Then reinstalled in the hope of whatever bug is causing my issues is gone. Even when deleting everything when i reinstall there are still an old photo there.
I need to totally, one hundred percent remove all files and the program.
Can someone please explain. If i delete the program all files should be removed, why are they not?
Hi Chris,
Are there any filters set in the Filters tool in the Library tool tab?
Please, also verify if there are any options set in the Global Filters.
Hi, well slowly i am getting there, i managed to to actually import an image.
I have the photo ready to edit in the Q menu, but i can't adjust any of the tools there. The only thing that does happen is the histogram shows up when the curser is on the photo.
Hi Chris,
Please indicate which product variant of Capture One do you have.
Files of which format are you importing into Capture One?
Hi Lily,
Capture one express, latest.
I was just practicing and jpeg.
When i have reinstalled the program, it seems as i am on record through my email address it's reinstalled with the same issues.
Is it not possible to delete me from your data base there, then i just start from scratch, which was easy before.
Hi Chris,
The issues you described above might be related to different things.
In case you have imported the same images before, and the 'exlude duplicates' option is enabled on import, then only new photos will be imported.
Also, click on "All Images" in the Library tool to see all the imported images.
If that does not help, please try to creating another user on your computer and make a clean install of Capture One there.
Once you open Capture One Express for Fujiiflm, it will create a new default Catalog (there could be only 1 Catalog in Capture One Express). Then import your images into Catalog with one of the possible import options.
can`t get RAW images from Canon R5 to show when importing...only jepg. Tried and tried
regards
Paul
Raw images from Sony a6000 and a6500 work ok, but raw images from a6600 don't open and they are ignored. theres nothing i can do to fix it!
This solution is just useless if you post only how to do it on MacOS. I am a Windows user who is not interested in Mac and I would like to know how it works on Windows. Thank you.
At this point I cannot use Capture One 21. I have tried several times, last time an hour ago (21.14.2.0) and as soon as I select ANY image the computer just shuts down! This never happens in version 20 (20.13.1.4 is the latest 20 version which works). I use Fujifilm version.
Please post how to do the things you explained on Windows. Thank you
What I did so far:
- create a new session
- tried to import files from a directory. No files are shown (I have only RAF files there)
- tried to import from a directory with some jpg files. Only jpg files are shown, no RAF files.
It worked fine before I updated to version 21. I had to uninstall the version 21, and now it doesn't work any more with version 20
Hello! I've been trying to figure out how to fix this problem for two days now. Guys, can someone come across this? I tried everything: installed different versions of the program, reset the settings, and so on. In short, when importing the RAW format from Canon (CR2), the program itself corrects the equals. It seems to add contrast with curves, the photo looks like a very contrasting one from the very beginning. And for example, Captchur 23 does not allow editing raves at all. By the way, everything is in order with Nikon's raves. I hope the problem is solved by reinstalling Windows.I just upgraded to the Sony A1 ii from the Sony A1. I was able to import .ARW files into CaptureOne from the Sony A1, but it will not import .ARW files produced by the Sony A1 ii.
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