After Effects file saving error

[StarSMASH]

I keep getting this error when trying to save my after effects project.  I type command + F, choose my location on my HD, and save it as an .aep (the default setting) and this is the error i get - "After Effects Error: File couldn't be opened for writing: "(name of project).aep". (3 ;; 0)

[OussK · Accepted solution]

Did you try to save in different location? to save on desktop directly or different HD if you have 

[StarSMASH]

thank you.  This worked.

[ronnybkz]

You're my Guardian Angel, buddy! ❤️

Thanks a lot!

[Vaithilingam]

Thank you so much. My files saved suceesfully.

[Elias A.F25129750vxgj]

valeu cota deu certo, gramei

[Damarco4u]

Thank you, @OussK. As I mention below, this is very helpful when we need to save our work while we need to find the problem later. However, I do advise that everyone read gangrell04's post below, which addresses the problem of why it likely isn't saving.  The real problem is that  Adobe has the pop up box saying "Error with file," which tells us absolutely nothing about what is happening and why.  If the drive is out of space, then that's the warning we should get instead of this one, which could send you on a wild goose chase looking for a damaged file among hundreds or even thousands in the project. 

[dami��ne29649691]

It's also possible that the folder you're trying to save it in needs Admin. permission. 

Save the preset in an other location like Desktop, then manually in the Finder or in Documents Window drag the .ffx file to the Presets Folder.

[garrisonk93063077]

What do you mean by this? I keep getting "error with file" after effects and premiere pro

[gangrell04]

Hello. I justa had that same exact issue, and i spent this whole afternoon with a big frustration. But i finally figured it out. I do not have a lot of free space in my HD, so i think that's the reason why.

Just go to preferences and delete de Cache from AE, and i think that is it.

[Ghazaal]

Yep thats true. i freed up my memory and the file got saved  

[kaav]

Mate, thank you so much - this solved my issue!

[Damarco4u]

THIS is the solution. I don't know why it isn't highlighted. While the highlighted response is helpful in a pinch and allows you to find the problem, you are putting your work onto a specific drive for a reason, and need to know what's wrong and fix it. Thanks @gangrell04 for te solution.  

Question for Adobe:  If our drives are low on space, why don't we get THAT warning instead of the vague "Error with file," which could mean a thousand different things?

[JeniraV]

I could also be that the current HD is full, no space left, so it can't save to its original location, just delete a few things and make space 

[ali2922228517ok]

 I tried to change the location of the file of auto-save (preferences), & it works
Hope this gonna help

[Liv Filgate]

I tried saving in a new location and saving as a copy but neither worked.

I saw @gangrell04's post below about clearing disk cache and that fixed the issue.

To quickly delete memory and cache:

Go to Edit > Purge > All memory & disk cache.

I usually do this if I get a notice that I'm low on memory space. It's surprising how quickly this fills up. I purged 77GB this time around.

[Markeni]

Just clear out All memeory and Disk Cache

Edit -- Purge --- All Memory & Disk Cache...