Skip to main content
GazmendZ
New Participant
August 23, 2020
Answered

"The operation cannot complete because of an unknown error"

  • August 23, 2020
  • 13 replies
  • 104701 views

Hey everyone, after updating to the newest version of Illustrator, I can't work with it anymore. As soon as I click on it, it loads as usual, but then it shows me this "The operation cannot complete because of an unknown error" message. After I click "Okay", Illustrator opens, but it doesn't show anything besides the menu and I can't even open a new file or anything else, which means I can't use it anymore. Please help. 

Correct answer kayleighr10333907

Hi. I came across this same issue and had too many vectors to recreate. So I Expanded the vector. This fixed the issue relatively quickly without adding scrips or name changing etc.

 

Go to Objects>Expand Appearance

 

Hope this helps 🙂

Good luck

13 replies

kayleighr10333907
kayleighr10333907Correct answer
New Participant
June 17, 2025

Hi. I came across this same issue and had too many vectors to recreate. So I Expanded the vector. This fixed the issue relatively quickly without adding scrips or name changing etc.

 

Go to Objects>Expand Appearance

 

Hope this helps 🙂

Good luck

New Participant
April 11, 2024

The same happened to me
uninstall and reinstall is ok

New Participant
May 18, 2022

I had the same problem. Just closed the program and opened it again.

Anshul_Saini
Community Manager
Community Manager
May 23, 2022

Hi @danilodango,

 

We are sorry for the trouble. Would you mind sharing a few details like:

  • OS & version of Illustartor
  • Screenshot of the unknown error
  • Does it occur after performing a particular action in a specific file?

 

We are here to help. We just need more info.

 

Thanks & Regards,

Anshul Saini

New Participant
October 1, 2021

I am trying to use this fix, but I don't have a UXP folder so I can't really follow the rest of the instructions. 

Angelic_Smile5D2E
New Participant
November 10, 2021

Me too I don't have the UXP folder and can't fix the issue

New Participant
November 15, 2021

me too, i don't have the UXP folder.
How to fix it?

New Participant
July 16, 2021

Just for anyone else who still needs a solution - your canvas size might also be too large.
If you can, make it as small as you can afford to.

I tried all the suggestions here, then changed my canvas size and making it smaller fixed the issue for me

New Participant
August 10, 2021

Configuration: iMacPro (2017) running macOS Big Sur v11.5. Illustrator v. 25.3.1.

I created an illustraton that I need to rotate/revolve as a group. The moment I hit either the Revolve or Rotate command, I get the error "The operation cannot complete because of an unknown error.[CANT]. I press OK and i get the 3D revolve spec window. With Preview clicked, the moment I try to change any properties, the error reemerges. My artboard is only about 15" x 12". Changing the size doesn't seem to do anything even if i make it 1 x 1.  

Participating Frequently
September 23, 2021

Error occurs when trying to do a variety of tasks. (example File > Export, etc.)

All adobe apps have become so glitchy. Waste of time to 'upgrade' to the lasted software versions as those are the worst.

 

ADOBE FIX YOUR SOFTWARE!!!!

 

New Participant
February 1, 2021

Thank you so much. your article help me. 

New Participant
December 29, 2020

your solution worked fine thank you i appreciate your help.

New Participant
December 10, 2020

Hello i got the same problem. But i had to download Microsoft Visual C++ from 2008 to 2017, after that i restarted my computer and now it fully working.

New Participant
November 12, 2020

Thank you for your advice, I tried many ways, including re-install software about 4 times and finally your solution worked for me. Thank you again.

Charu Rajput
Community Expert
Community Expert
August 23, 2020

Hi,
I was also facing the same problem, but it was fixed by renaming the folder. Please follow following steps

 

Go to following locations and rename "extentions" to "extensions_old"
Windows:  Program files /common files /Adobe /UXP /extensions
MAC: /library > application support > Adobe > UXP > extensions.

 

I hope this works for you as well.

Best regards
New Participant
August 23, 2020

Yes it works, thank you so much for your help.