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

[bbab22]

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.  

[bbab22]

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/Redtree]

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.

[Convidado]

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 

[dariod59529465]

ok grazie questa è la soluzione, buon lavoro

[huffenreuter]

Hi,

Did you ever find a real fix for this. Moving files and directories around doesn't sound like a real solution 😉

Let me know,

Robbert

[Convidado · Accepted solution]

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! 

[countcardboard]

can confirm, that this is the REAL fix.

[Alek_V]

Not a fix for me. I'm on High Sierra (10.13.6) and there is no "Files and Folders" option in the Privacy area of System Preferences. What's the real, real fix?

[Alek_V]

I contacted Adobe. There's another fix. I created a folder on one of my resource drives. Make an alias and copy the alias to the Applications > Adobe After Effects 2020 > Presets folder. Restart AE. Now when you search your Effects, anything in the separate folder should also appear here.

[filmsproket]

Alex_V

What am I making an alias of?  The After Effects project?

I use LucidLink and this JUST started happening when I open one of my many After Effects Projects.  I've looked in Privacy & Security/Files and Folders and AE already has access to desktop, documents and removalbe volumes.  

[AJ Matthew]

So if you scroll further down in privacy and security you will see "Full Disk Access" (mine is just under "Files and Folders")... enable that for AE and that should work. That is what fixed mine because AE already had access in Files and Folders. 

[claudiovideoedit]

Thanks, this was the Real Fixer for me as well! 

[Green_Panda]

Confirm, this works for me. I have a macbook pro and AE 2021

[tamsinm86832250]

Worked like a dream. CANNOT thank you enough!!

[Birderlands]

Yes, thankyou! This fixed it for me too. I updated to OS Monterey and got the same errors when opening my after effects file. Really annoying that updating your OS can turn of these preferences.. 

[ravis88125312]

Phew - life saver !!

I've had this issue for the past few days with AE CC22 not saving to an external Seagate drive and tried several things with no success, eg reinstalling Monterey, changing permissions etc, checking the drive for errors (none), checking all hard connections between my MacBook Pro and the external drive and even checking to see if I hadn't accidentally deleted *"wheel" from the drive permissions list - *LEAVE THIS ALONE btw or be prepared for a world of pain.

The last, preferable avoidable resort, would have been to reformat the drive to see if this would make any difference.

I followed the above suggestion and now After Effects saves to the external drive.

Quite how this happened is a mystery though since saving has been fine until a few days ago.

Thank you !

[kayleigha3590772]

You are a life saver. Thank you so much. Thought I lost my project forever. 

[michaels76546205]

THANK YOU!!!

[Tru28330564okp1]

omg THANK YOU!!!

[K/Redtree]

Happy to help

[Tilal26073157o4z8]

This Actually Works!

[MariaHogan]

This saved my project! Thankyou for posting this u are an angel. 

[janm23705273]

Sadly this solution doesnt work for me. The even weirder thing is: 

I can access some files from an external drive, other files (on the same external drive) bring up this error in AE. 

Any diffrent Ideas?

[Ian33248631j0jr]

Thank you!