Metadata not updating/writing back on a selected batch of files

[Damit]

I have 175 files out of almost 250K that refuse to update.  I have tried removing read only designations in Windows 11 but still this small batch of files will always remain in my Pending Metadata Write-back collection.

Any ideas on how to overcome this problem?  I have tried to copy them but even the copies have this problem. Even though I have removed the read only designation in Windows 11, the Read-Only box remains checked in the Properties box, but I have read that this really does not matter and is not the root of the problem.

[Mario]

It would help if you could provide a minimum of information.
The IMatch log file from a session where you tried to write back one of the files. See log file.
The contents of the ExifTool output panel after the write-back (open it via View menu > Panels > Output Panel) before writing back.

This will give us some useful information, e.g. if ExifTool reports warnings or errors, which data is written etc.

Also, for most cases of such problems, possible explanations and solutions are presented in the Metadata for Beginners help topic, specifically in Metadata Problems and Pitfalls.

Check out this help topic and see if any of the tips there help. For example: Files Pending Again After Write-Back

[Damit]

Sorry.  I am back after a very prolonged period and forgot how to do some things, but your advice helped me out, especially the " Files Pending Again After Write-Back article. I had to use the exiftool to remove metadata, sometimes all of it and then reapply keywords.  It seems some old application screwed them up.  Anyhow, for future reference, I cannot figure out how to attach files, but I remember you wanted links, so hopefully this is the correct method. I have attached the log and a .txt copy of the exif output, not that you need to look at them but just to know if this is how you would like them attached. 
Here is the exif output:
Exif output
Here is the log file:
https://attractingsolutions2-my.sharepoint.com/:t:/g/personal/ms_responsiblehearing_com/EYTGzipAO95CmihWptcwogEBlipnU6fpXKrSP2XPlmBLQw?e=tOE1GZ

[Mario]

When you use the Quick Reply (the edit box below the post with the Quick Reply caption) you can attach files after clicking "Preview" once. If you use the normal Reply (after clicking on the dark blue Reply button), you can use the "Attach Files" directly under the post editor.

See this page in the community help page: https://wiki.simplemachines.org/smf/SMF2.1:Posting

The log file shows some ExifTool warnings/errors about unknown Canon metadata, some warnings about invalid IPTC digests (checksums), some damaged or unrecognized maker notes, duplicates orientation tags (that's a new one) and all the typical stuff cameras and other software produce when it comes to metadata.

Some warnings like "Write-back Cannot write to off-line/read-only file S:\scan0001.dng"

You can search for W> to find all affected files. Probably you can safely ignore all the warnings.

It seems some old application screwed them up. 

That's not uncommon. A lot of the software out there does not care about metadata at all, even modern and well-known software. You notice the mess only when you switch to another software or you exchange files with clients, press or web sites.

[thrinn]

If you use the "Reply" button at the top or bottom of a thread, you will get a button to upload files (or you can drag them to the message):


If you use the "Quick Reply" panel you might have to click at least once on "Preview" to make this option appear.
Anyway, select your file, then click on the blue arrow-up icon, then on "Insert":