Photo in "Photos" won't open on MacBook Air. Get an exclamation point instead!

Photo in "Photos" won't open on MacBook Air. Get an exclamation point instead! What do I do to fix this issue?



Posted on Mar 28, 2021 02:26 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Mar 29, 2021 02:25 AM


filmcell wrote:

Photo in "Photos" won't open on MacBook Air. Get an exclamation point instead! ...


An exclamation point could mean an incompatible file format or a missing original.

A bit more information might help.

  • What is the file format? Are the photos JPEGs, or HEIC files, or RAW files? If RAW files, what is the camera model?
  • Which system version is installed on your Mac? That will determine, which file formats should be supported?
  • And what has happened, before this problem first occurred? Did you upgrade to a new system version? Import new photos? Move the library to a new location? Did you run any cleaning application to remove duplicates?
  • Are you importing the files by copying them into the library or is the "Photos > Preferences > General > Importing: copy items into the Library" disabled and you are referencing the Photos outside the library?
  • Has the Photos Library been syncing with iCloud Photos?



2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Mar 29, 2021 02:25 AM in response to filmcell


filmcell wrote:

Photo in "Photos" won't open on MacBook Air. Get an exclamation point instead! ...


An exclamation point could mean an incompatible file format or a missing original.

A bit more information might help.

  • What is the file format? Are the photos JPEGs, or HEIC files, or RAW files? If RAW files, what is the camera model?
  • Which system version is installed on your Mac? That will determine, which file formats should be supported?
  • And what has happened, before this problem first occurred? Did you upgrade to a new system version? Import new photos? Move the library to a new location? Did you run any cleaning application to remove duplicates?
  • Are you importing the files by copying them into the library or is the "Photos > Preferences > General > Importing: copy items into the Library" disabled and you are referencing the Photos outside the library?
  • Has the Photos Library been syncing with iCloud Photos?



This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Photo in "Photos" won't open on MacBook Air. Get an exclamation point instead!

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.