Skip to main content
I
influxxmedia
Known Participant
August 19, 2021
Answered

Error: Can't Save file. The file is locked or in use. ID: -54

  • August 19, 2021
  • 2 replies
  • 8701 views

Hi all

 

I recently replaced an internal hard drive with an internal SSD. I cloned the drive using SuperDuper, copying ACLs.

 

A side effect of this is ever since that replacement, I can no longer save EXSISTING Illustrator files. I have to resort to Save As... each time. I get the -54 error every time I try to save a file. It's getting really annoying.

 

I thought it might be a drive permissions issue at first and reset all ACLs and permissions, even turned off ownership for that drive. Nothing made any difference.

 

Any ideas????

 

Cheers m'dears

Adam

Correct answer Kevin Stohlmeyer

This is an underlying issue of the Mac OS not refreshing connections to servers and causing the files to show locked, in use or errors.

If you force quit your Finder - the files may resolve.

This is why Adobe officially does not support saving or working directly off a network share or remote location.

Drag to local, edit, save and drag back to server.

That or invest in a DAM system that checks files in and out for usage.

2 replies

rslygh
rslygh
Participant
September 15, 2022

I know this is a very old thread, and my system config is different, but adding something about the -54 file lock that I only discovered today in case you're still chasing a solution or someone else comes across this thread and it helps them.

 

We've been experiencing the file lock -54 error for a while occasionally. We're running macOS Monterey and most are opening files from a macOS Monterey file server. We've used the file server for years and never had this problem until getting new M1 Macbook Pros running Monterey. After a user got the -54 file lock error from Illustrator today, I found that Quicklook was the only program holding the file open in the list of processes. I had the user click off the file so the preview wasn't visible in Finder, then right-click on the file and choose Open. Sure enough it worked without any -54 error. To test again I had them click back on the file so the preview would show in Finder and try to open, and again the -54 error appeared. Click off the file to stop the preview, then right-click to Open again and the file opened fine. I don't know what the underlying cause of the problem is yet, but a workaround for now could be avoiding having a preview shown in Finder.

    Kevin Stohlmeyer
    Community Expert
    Kevin StohlmeyerCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    September 15, 2022

    This is an underlying issue of the Mac OS not refreshing connections to servers and causing the files to show locked, in use or errors.

    If you force quit your Finder - the files may resolve.

    This is why Adobe officially does not support saving or working directly off a network share or remote location.

    Drag to local, edit, save and drag back to server.

    That or invest in a DAM system that checks files in and out for usage.

      I
      influxxmediaAuthor
      Known Participant
      April 5, 2023

      Nothing to do with my scenario. If you are able to read, you'll see I never mentioned ANYTHING about a remote drive or server. Do you even know what an SSD is?

       

      Sheesh the experts around here leave a lot to be desired, eh.

      Anshul_Saini
      Community Manager
      Anshul_SainiCommunity Manager
      Community Manager
      August 22, 2021

      Hi there,

       

      Sorry to hear about the issue you are facing. I would suggest you log in to root user on your Mac device. Then, create a new document and see if you are able to overwrite that newly saved document. Also, I would request you to share a few more details like:

      • The exact version of macOS and Illustrator
      • Are there any recent changes made to your system after cloning your drive? For example, any antivirus, system updates, or web extensions installed recently.

       

      Looking forward to your response.

       

      Regards,

      Anshul Saini

      I
      influxxmediaAuthor
      Known Participant
      September 2, 2021

      Hello Anshul

       

      I am on MacOS El Capitan 10.11.5

      Illustrator CC18

      I am in fact able to create new documents and save and overwrite them - on the same day. It's only files created prior to the new storage drive was installed. Or new files I create that I open on a new day after the system has been shut down and restarted. Wierd

      No other changes were made to the system other than the new storage. No anti virus is installed on this machine.

      I'm guessing this is more to with a system level thing. Would like to know what the Adobe Error ID54 means though

       

      Thanks

      Adam

      Anshul_Saini
      Community Manager
      Anshul_SainiCommunity Manager
      Community Manager
      September 4, 2021

      Thank you for sharing the details. I would recommend you to update Illustrator to v25.4.1 and macOS to v11.5.2 if possible. You can install a new illustrator and retain your old Illustrator version without deleting it. Error 54 occurs because Illustrator is unable to get the version of the file or read the Adobe file path.

       

      Regards,

      Anshul Saini

      Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
      Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices