You downloaded your Lightroom presets, but the DNG files look grey, blank, black, or do not show a normal photo preview.
Before deleting the files or downloading them again, know that this does not automatically mean your DNG presets are broken.
DNG preset files are different from regular JPEG photos. They are Adobe Digital Negative files that can contain editing information Lightroom uses to create a preset. Depending on your phone, file browser, and how the DNG was created, the file may not display a normal thumbnail before you open it in Lightroom.
Quick Fix: Why Are My DNG Preset Files Grey or Blank?
If your DNG Lightroom preset files look grey, blank, black, or do not show a preview, try these steps first:
- Do not assume the DNG file is damaged just because the thumbnail is blank.
- Make sure the file actually ends in .dng.
- If the DNG files are inside a ZIP folder, extract the DNG files first.
- Add the DNG file to your Lightroom Mobile photo library.
- Open the DNG inside Lightroom instead of judging it by the preview in your phone’s Files or Photos app.
- With the DNG open, use the Options menu and select Create Preset.
- If Lightroom cannot add or open the DNG file, redownload it and make sure Lightroom is updated.
Adobe notes that DNG preset files can display a file-load error when opened and still be successfully added to Lightroom, so a strange preview does not necessarily mean the file is unusable.
1. A Grey or Blank DNG File May Be Completely Normal
DNG stands for Digital Negative. It is Adobe’s open raw image format.
Unlike an XMP preset file, a DNG preset is based on an image file that contains editing information. Some DNG preset files may display a normal image preview, while others may appear grey, black, blank, or may not generate a thumbnail at all.
The important question is not whether your phone can preview the file. The important question is whether Lightroom can add and read the DNG.
Adobe specifically notes that DNG preset files may display a file-load error when opened and can still be successfully added to Lightroom.
2. Make Sure the File Is Actually a DNG
Before troubleshooting Lightroom, check the file extension.
The filename should end in:
.dng
If you downloaded a preset package, you may also see:
- .xmp files, which are modern Lightroom preset files.
- .dng files, which are image files containing editing information that can be saved as presets.
- .zip files, which are compressed folders containing preset files.
If you are using the DNG installation method, make sure you are working with the actual .dng files rather than the ZIP folder containing them.
3. Extract DNG Files From the ZIP Folder First
If your DNG presets were downloaded inside a ZIP file, extract the folder before adding the DNG files to Lightroom.
After extracting the download, look inside the folder for files ending in .dng.
Those are the files you will add to your Lightroom photo library.
A blank or grey thumbnail in your Files app after extraction is not necessarily a problem. Continue with the Lightroom steps before deciding that the file is damaged.
4. How to Add a DNG Preset to Lightroom Mobile
To use a DNG preset file, first add the DNG to your Lightroom photo library. You will then open the DNG and create a preset from the editing information stored in the file.
To add a DNG preset:
- Open Lightroom Mobile.
- Go to your Lightroom photo library.
- Select the option to Add Photos.
- Locate the downloaded DNG file on your device.
- Select the DNG and add it to Lightroom.
- Find the imported DNG in your Lightroom library.
- Open the DNG in the editing view.
Even if the DNG looked blank or grey before adding it, open it inside Lightroom and continue with the preset creation process.
5. How to Create a Preset From a DNG File
After the DNG has been added to Lightroom, save the edits contained in the DNG as a Lightroom preset.
With the imported DNG open in Lightroom Mobile:
- Tap the Options menu.
- Select Create Preset.
- Enter a name for the preset.
- Select User Presets or create a new preset group.
- Choose the edit settings you want included.
- Save the preset.
The new preset should then appear in your Lightroom preset library under the preset group you selected.
6. Can Lightroom Mobile Import a DNG Through Import Presets?
No. DNG preset files use the photo-based installation method in Lightroom Mobile.
Do not go to Presets → Yours → Options → Import Presets to install a DNG preset file.
Instead:
- Add the DNG file to your Lightroom photo library.
- Open the DNG in Lightroom.
- Open the Options menu.
- Select Create Preset.
- Name and save the new preset.
The Import Presets option is used for preset file formats such as XMP. A DNG is an image file containing the edits you use to create the preset inside Lightroom.
7. What If Lightroom Says the DNG File Cannot Be Loaded?
A file-load message does not always mean the DNG preset is unusable.
Adobe’s DNG preset instructions specifically note that DNG preset files may display a file-load error when opened and recommend continuing with the installation process.
Try adding the DNG to your Lightroom photo library and opening it from inside Lightroom.
If Lightroom can read the file and the Create Preset option is available, continue creating the preset.
8. What If the DNG Is Blank Even After You Open It in Lightroom?
A DNG can look visually blank, dark, or unusual and still contain editing information that can be saved as a preset.
If the file opens in Lightroom, check whether the Create Preset option is available before assuming anything is wrong.
The purpose of a DNG preset file is to carry the editing settings. The appearance of the underlying DNG image is not necessarily representative of how the preset will look when applied to your own photo.
9. What If Create Preset Is Greyed Out?
If the Create Preset option itself is unavailable, first make sure the DNG is actually open in Lightroom’s editing or Detail view.
Then check that:
- The DNG finished being added to Lightroom.
- You opened the DNG itself rather than only selecting it in your device’s file browser.
- Lightroom is updated to the current version.
- The download completed successfully.
If the same DNG still cannot be used after those checks, try downloading a fresh copy of the preset file.
10. Redownload the DNG File if Lightroom Cannot Add It
If Lightroom completely refuses to add or open the DNG, the download may be incomplete or corrupted.
Delete the problem copy and download the preset package again from the original source.
After downloading:
- Confirm the download has finished.
- Extract the ZIP folder if necessary.
- Locate the individual .dng files.
- Try adding one DNG to your Lightroom photo library again.
If the new copy works, the original download was likely incomplete.
11. Make Sure Lightroom Mobile Is Updated
If DNG files that previously worked suddenly stop opening or being added correctly, check whether Lightroom Mobile has an available update.
Adobe changes Lightroom’s file handling, preset features, and interface over time. Using the current version also makes it easier to follow current installation instructions.
After updating Lightroom, reopen the app and try adding the DNG again.
12. DNG Presets and XMP Presets Are Different
DNG and XMP preset files are not installed in the same way.
DNG presets are image files containing editing information. You add the DNG to the Lightroom photo library, open it, and use Create Preset to save those edits as a preset.
XMP presets are preset files that can be imported into Lightroom’s preset system.
If your download includes both DNG and XMP versions of the same preset, make sure you are following the installation instructions for the file type you chose.
If you are having trouble importing XMP files instead, see our other Lightroom troubleshooting guides below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my DNG preset files grey?
A grey DNG thumbnail does not necessarily mean anything is wrong. Some devices and file browsers do not display a normal preview for every DNG file. Add the DNG to Lightroom and open it before deciding that the file is damaged.
Why are my DNG preset files blank?
DNG preset files can appear blank, black, grey, or without a thumbnail while still containing Lightroom editing information. Adobe also notes that DNG preset files may display a file-load error and still be successfully added to Lightroom.
Are blank DNG Lightroom presets broken?
Not necessarily. If Lightroom can add and open the DNG and lets you select Create Preset, the appearance of the DNG thumbnail is not important.
Do I need to unzip DNG presets?
Yes. If your DNG preset files are inside a ZIP folder, extract the folder first so you can access the individual .dng files and add them to your Lightroom photo library.
How do I install a DNG preset in Lightroom Mobile?
Add the DNG file to your Lightroom photo library, open it in Detail view, open the Options menu, and select Create Preset. Name the preset, choose a preset group, and save it.
Can I import a DNG directly through Import Presets?
No. DNG preset files are added to Lightroom as photos. Open the DNG in Lightroom, select the Options menu, and choose Create Preset. The Import Presets workflow is not the DNG installation method.
Why does my DNG say file load error?
Adobe notes that a DNG preset may display a file-load error when opened. Continue by adding the DNG to your Lightroom library and opening it in Lightroom. If Lightroom still cannot read the file after a fresh download, the file itself may need to be replaced.
Why is Create Preset greyed out?
Make sure the DNG has finished being added to Lightroom and is open in Lightroom’s editing view. Update Lightroom and try the file again. If the problem continues, redownload the original DNG file.
Need More Lightroom Help?
Visit our Lightroom Troubleshooting Guides for help with missing presets, preset installation, DNG and XMP files, syncing issues, and Lightroom import errors.
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