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bbab22
bbab22
Participant
December 17, 2019
Answered

After Effects CC 2019 & 2020 --- After Effects Error: File Exists but couldn't be open for reading

  • December 17, 2019
  • 5 replies
  • 35133 views

Last week, I updated my mac with the latest version of Adobe After Effects 2020.  I still kept the CC 2019 version installed just in case I had a difficult time opening my files.  Now when launching either CC 2019 / CC 2020 version of After Effects, I cannot open any of my previously created after effects files whatsoever.  I am getting the error message: After Effects Error: File Exists but couldn't be open for reading: "FILE NAME.aep" ( 3 :: 0) . At this point I really have no idea what to do to move forward. Any help is greatly appreciated.  

    Correct answer

    May I present: THE REAL FIX

     

     https://www.howtogeek.com/443611/how-macos-catalinas-new-security-features-work/

    Head to System Preferences > Security and Privacy > Privacy and click on the “Files and Folders” option to see any apps that have requested access. You can also grant access to your whole disk by clicking “Full Disk Access.” Note that some apps, like duplicate file finders, will require that you allow access to your entire drive using this menu.

     

    Had a packaging issue with InDesign which led me to this. Tried it with AE and BAM - works perfectly! 

    5 replies

    G
    greg_3561
    Participating Frequently
    August 19, 2025

    I got the same error message, but figured out it was a DIFFERENT PROBLEM with a DIFFERENT SOLUTION than the "correct answer": the affected files had letters with accents!

     

    The filename had the word "Étoile" in it, and I just changed it to "Etoile". Fixed the problem.

    S
    Stavoula
    Participant
    January 23, 2024

    Hello to everyone. 

    I found another solution! I've tried everything mention but nothing worked for me. So, I did a "FIRST AID" to my external disk, where the AE project and the files were stored. I worked immidiately! 

    > First aid: Disk Utility > [Select the disk] > First Aid (at the top right).

     

    Good luck!

      Piotr5C95
      Piotr5C95
      Inspiring
      May 17, 2024

      Thanks, it looks like fix for me 🙂 

      E
      ericm54114199
      Participant
      August 24, 2020

      I too have this problem and its affecting my career and reputation as the longest edit in world history. Adobe has no idea the ramifications when these things happen and just how it affects people. Its costing me this entire job. Which I just lost. I racked my head searching for answers for the past 9 days. Too little too late. However Id still love to hear from that amazing Adobe Team. Im kidding obviously. Not amazing. Can anyone please for the love of car payments, rent and insurance please, get your heads out of your butts and help solve this Adobe. Bunch of monkeys

       

      Windows user, with the same error mesaage as stated above.

        C
        Chadman
        Inspiring
        August 24, 2020

        Yes l'm on Windows to and having a similar probably with AE and BRAW files!!! Basically once l open up the project l get the error message of "File exists but couldn't etc etc." I then hit the enter button and l get another error message related to the same file saying "Unable to open file F;\(directory path): If the file is opened in another application, closing it may resolve the problem" I hit enter again and then AE moves onto the next BRAW file and l have to repeated the same thing for every BRAW file in the project. The files are still linked in the project but l have to do this EVERY time l go to another window be it Windows File Explorer, a browser etc. 

          K
          keithb95143484
          Participant
          September 1, 2020

          Same thing happening to me.  I'm on a fresh intall of Windows with BRAW footage too.  Using BRAW studio from Autokroma.  OS, Adobe and Braw studio all at the latest versions as of 9/1/20.  I have never had an issue like this, and it is annoying as hell. Got on this, Adobe.

          A
          Anonymous
          March 12, 2020

           https://www.howtogeek.com/443611/how-macos-catalinas-new-security-features-work/

          Head to System Preferences > Security and Privacy > Privacy and click on the “Files and Folders” option to see any apps that have requested access. You can also grant access to your whole disk by clicking “Full Disk Access.” Note that some apps, like duplicate file finders, will require that you allow access to your entire drive using this menu.

            sanuths54811523
            sanuths54811523
            Participant
            March 19, 2020

            Thank you so much! it worked for me 🙂 

            bbab22
            bbab22Author
            Participant
            December 17, 2019

            Additionally, when trying to open the CC 2020 version, I am getting the error messages (3 ::0 ) & ( 86 :: 1) not able to open source file.  Additionally in CC 2020, majority of my files are missing when I am able to open the project, but then the application shuts down unexpectedly immediately before all of the files load.  

              K
              K/Redtree
              Participating Frequently
              January 28, 2020

              I had the same issue...

               

              Solution:

               

              Move the orginal file folder to a different location, and re-open.

               

              I moved the file from my external HD to my desktop, and it then opened with no issue.

               

               

                A
                Anonymous
                March 3, 2020

                I also have exactly the same issue after the updates. The tedious job of relinking assets helped once, but only once 😞 

                Now it gives the error regardless. ugh. 

                 

                Also tried moving the files like you suggested, still no difference.

                Do you have any suggetions for a different angle?

                 

                Renée 

                 

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