You downloaded your Lightroom presets, tried to import them, and Lightroom says the presets failed to import.

In most cases, this does not mean your preset files are permanently unusable. You may be importing the wrong file type, the preset may already be installed, a DNG file may require a different installation method, the download may be incomplete, or an XMP file may actually be a profile rather than a preset.

If your Lightroom presets failed to import, work through the fixes below before downloading or installing everything again.

Quick Fix: Why Do Lightroom Presets Fail to Import?

The most common reasons Lightroom presets fail to import are:

• You selected the wrong files from your preset download.
• The preset is already installed and Lightroom considers it a duplicate.
• A DNG preset needs to be added to Lightroom as a photo and saved as a preset.
• An XMP file is a Lightroom profile rather than a Develop preset.
• The preset file did not download completely or became corrupted.
• Your version of Lightroom is too old for the preset format.
• The ZIP file does not contain compatible XMP preset files.

The correct fix depends on whether you are using Adobe Lightroom Desktop, Lightroom Mobile, or Lightroom Classic.

1. Import XMP ZIP Files Correctly in Lightroom Mobile

Current versions of Lightroom Mobile can import a ZIP file containing XMP presets directly, so you do not need to unzip your XMP preset folder before importing it.

In Lightroom Mobile, open the Presets panel, tap the three-dot Options menu, select Import Presets, and then choose your downloaded XMP preset ZIP file.

To import an XMP preset ZIP file in Lightroom Mobile:

1. Download the preset ZIP file to your phone or tablet.
2. Open Lightroom Mobile.
3. Open any photo.
4. Tap Presets.
5. Select Yours.
6. Tap the three-dot Options menu.
7. Select Import Presets.
8. Navigate to the downloaded ZIP file containing your XMP presets.
9. Select the ZIP file to import the presets.

After the import is complete, your presets should appear in the Yours section of the Presets panel.

If the XMP ZIP file fails to import, make sure the complete file downloaded successfully and that the ZIP contains compatible XMP preset files. You can also extract the ZIP and try importing the individual XMP files as a troubleshooting step.

2. Make Sure You Are Importing the Correct Files

Preset downloads can contain several different folders and file types. Make sure you are importing the actual Lightroom preset files, or a ZIP file containing compatible XMP presets, rather than a PDF, installation guide, preview image, or another unrelated file included with the download.

Common Lightroom preset formats include:

• XMP: Commonly used for modern Lightroom presets.
• DNG: A photo file containing preset editing information, commonly used with Mobile workflows.
• LRTemplate: An older Lightroom preset format that may still be included with some downloads.

If you are unsure which files you should use, follow the installation instructions included with your presets rather than importing every file inside the download.

You can also follow our How to Install Lightroom Presets in 2026 guide for step-by-step installation help.

3. If Your Presets Are DNG Files, Use the DNG Installation Method

DNG preset files work differently from standard XMP preset files.

A DNG preset is also an image file containing editing information. If Lightroom does not accept your DNG through the regular preset importer, add the DNG to Lightroom as a photo and create a preset from the edits stored in that file.

How to Install a DNG Preset in Lightroom Mobile

1. Download the DNG preset files to your phone or tablet.
2. Open Lightroom Mobile.
3. Add the DNG file to your Lightroom library.
4. Open the DNG image.
5. Tap the Options menu.
6. Select Create Preset.
7. Give the preset a name.
8. Select User Presets or create a new preset group.
9. Save the preset.

If the DNG file does not behave like a normal photo when you open it, that does not automatically mean the preset is unusable. The important step is being able to access the edits stored in the DNG and save those settings as a preset.

4. Check Whether the Preset Is Already Installed

If Lightroom says a preset is duplicate or invalid, first check whether that preset or preset collection is already installed.

In Adobe Lightroom Desktop and Lightroom Mobile, open:

Presets → Yours

Then look through your imported preset groups.

In Lightroom Classic, open the Develop module and check the Presets panel.

If the same collection is already there, Lightroom may be rejecting another copy of the same preset.

If you cannot find the presets after importing them, see our How to Find Missing Presets in Lightroom troubleshooting guide before importing the collection again.

5. What Does “Duplicate or Invalid” Mean in Lightroom?

If Lightroom says presets could not be imported because they are duplicate or invalid, the message can point to more than one possible issue.

The Preset May Already Be Installed

If Lightroom identifies the file as a duplicate, the same preset may already be installed. Check your existing preset groups using the steps above before importing it again.

The File May Not Be a Valid Lightroom Preset

You may have selected the wrong file from your download, or the file may not contain preset information Lightroom can use.

Go back to your preset download and make sure you selected the correct XMP, DNG, or other supported preset files.

The Download May Be Incomplete

If the file was interrupted while downloading or did not save correctly, Lightroom may not be able to read it.

Delete the incomplete copy, download the original preset files again, and retry the import.

6. Make Sure Your XMP File Is Actually a Preset

Not every XMP file is a Lightroom Develop preset.

Adobe Lightroom also uses XMP files for profiles. A profile and a preset can both use the .xmp file extension, but they serve different purposes inside Lightroom.

If most XMP presets import normally but one particular set keeps failing, check the instructions that came with the download. The XMP files may be profiles that need to be imported through Lightroom’s Profile panel instead of the Presets panel.

How to Import an XMP Profile in Adobe Lightroom Desktop

1. Open a photo in Adobe Lightroom Desktop.
2. Open the Edit panel.
3. Find Profile and select Browse.
4. Click the three-dot menu in the Profile panel.
5. Select Import Profiles.
6. Select the XMP profile files.

If the files were designed as profiles, they will appear in the Profile browser rather than in your normal Lightroom preset groups.

7. Redownload the Preset Files

If the correct preset files still fail to import, download a fresh copy.

A preset file can occasionally become incomplete during downloading, transferring, or saving. A fresh download helps rule out a damaged local copy.

After downloading:

1. Make sure the download finishes completely.
2. Locate the correct preset file or XMP preset ZIP file.
3. Make sure you are selecting the files intended for your version of Lightroom.
4. Try importing them again.

8. Update Lightroom

If you are using an older version of Lightroom, update it before spending too much time troubleshooting the preset files themselves.

Adobe changes Lightroom’s preset system over time, and older versions may not support the same preset formats or import methods as current versions.

This is especially important if the menus or import options in your version of Lightroom look different from current installation instructions.

9. How to Import Presets Correctly in Adobe Lightroom Desktop

If you use the cloud-based Adobe Lightroom Desktop app on Mac or Windows, you can import presets and profiles directly from the menu bar.

1. Open Adobe Lightroom Desktop.
2. From the menu bar, select File.
3. Select Import Profiles & Presets.
4. Navigate to your preset files.
5. Select the files you want to import.
6. Click Import.

After importing, open a photo and check Presets → Yours for your imported preset collection.

If the presets imported successfully but you still cannot see them, use our How to Find Missing Presets in Lightroom guide.

10. How to Import Presets Correctly in Lightroom Classic

Lightroom Classic uses a different preset import workflow.

1. Open Lightroom Classic.
2. Open the Develop module.
3. Find the Presets panel on the left side.
4. Click the + icon.
5. Select Import Presets.
6. Select your preset files or compatible XMP preset ZIP file.
7. Click Import.

After importing, your presets should appear in the Presets panel, commonly under User Presets or under the name of the preset collection.

11. Why Do Some Presets Import While Others Fail?

If some presets from the same download import successfully while others fail, that gives you an important clue.

The files that fail may:

• Already be installed.
• Be profiles rather than Develop presets.
• Use a different preset format.
• Be DNG files that need the DNG installation workflow.
• Have downloaded incorrectly.

If only one file fails, you usually do not need to reinstall every preset that imported successfully. Focus on the specific file or preset group that Lightroom rejected.

12. Why Won’t Lightroom Mobile Import My XMP ZIP File?

Current versions of Lightroom Mobile can import a ZIP file containing XMP presets directly. If you followed the correct import steps and the ZIP still fails, the problem may be with the download or the files inside it.

Check that:

• The ZIP file finished downloading completely.
• The ZIP contains compatible XMP Lightroom preset files.
• You selected the correct preset ZIP file.
• The same presets are not already installed.
• Your Lightroom Mobile app is up to date.

If the ZIP still fails to import, extract the folder and try importing the individual XMP files. This can help determine whether the problem is with the ZIP package or a specific preset file inside it.

If your download contains DNG files instead of XMP presets, use the DNG installation method earlier in this guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Lightroom say my presets are duplicate or invalid?

The preset may already be installed, you may have selected a file that is not a valid Develop preset, the file may be incomplete, or the preset may use a different format or installation method.

Do I need to unzip XMP Lightroom presets before importing them?

In current versions of Lightroom Mobile, no. You can import a ZIP file containing XMP presets directly. Select the ZIP file from Presets → Yours → Options → Import Presets. If the ZIP fails to import, you can extract it and try importing the individual XMP files as a troubleshooting step.

Why won’t my XMP presets import into Lightroom?

Make sure the XMP files are actual Develop presets rather than XMP profiles. Also check that the same presets are not already installed and that your version of Lightroom is current.

Why won’t my DNG presets import?

If a DNG file does not import through the normal preset importer, add the DNG file to your Lightroom library as a photo, open it, and use Create Preset to save its editing settings as a new preset.

Can I import a ZIP file of XMP presets into Lightroom Mobile?

Yes. Current versions of Lightroom Mobile can import a ZIP file containing XMP presets directly through Presets → Yours → Options → Import Presets.

Why do only some of my Lightroom presets fail to import?

The files that fail may already be installed, may be profiles instead of presets, may use another file format, or may require a different installation workflow.

Where do presets go after they successfully import?

In Adobe Lightroom Desktop and Lightroom Mobile, imported presets are generally found under Presets → Yours. In Lightroom Classic, imported presets appear in the Presets panel inside the Develop module.

Presets Imported but Still Not Showing?

If Lightroom says the import was successful but you still cannot find the presets, the problem is no longer the import itself.

Your presets may be hidden, stored inside another preset group, partially compatible with the photo you are editing, or still syncing between devices.

Follow our How to Find Missing Presets in Lightroom guide for step-by-step help.

Need More Lightroom Help?

Visit our Lightroom Troubleshooting Guides for help with preset installation, missing presets, import errors, syncing problems, XMP and DNG files, and more.

Shop Lightroom Presets

Once your presets are installed and working correctly, you’re ready to start editing.

Browse our Lightroom preset collections for film-inspired edits, bright and airy looks, moody tones, seasonal styles, everyday photo editing, and more.

Shop All Lightroom Presets →

Want the complete collection? Our Premium All Access Lightroom Presets give you access to our full preset library in one bundle.

More Lightroom Troubleshooting Guides

• How to Find Missing Presets in Lightroom
• Why Is the Import Presets Button Missing in Lightroom? 
• Why Did My Lightroom Presets Disappear? 
• Why Are My DNG Preset Files Grey or Blank? Coming soon.
• Why Won’t My XMP Presets Import Into Lightroom or Photoshop? Coming soon.