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Answered

Adobe Illustrator - The file is locked or in use. ID: -54

Forum|Forum|4 years ago
July 29, 2022
33 replies
36135 views

Hello,

I am getting the following error:

I will work on a file and save it. And when I try to re-open the file I will get this error. I am saving my files on a server. Also I do not want to keep moving my file from the server to the desktop and back to the server everytime.

Bug

Correct answer Kevin Stohlmeyer

Stop accessing files on a server. Drag them to your local HD and you wont have this issue. Then save and drag them back.

This is a common issue with remote drives/servers. The OS is not refreshing fast enough and thinks the file is still in use by either the OS (file previews, etc) or another application.

Officially Adobe does not support saving across network/remote servers/drives:

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/kb/networks-removable-media-photoshop.html

K

KEVIN28166455hkat

Participant

Im having the same issue today. using latest version of illustrator on windows desktop and laptop.
im using portable ssd to copy the files from desktop to my laptop, back and forth all this time. not using any cloud saving whatsoever. only today this happen.
please help to fix as i need to use the file as soon as possible.

Anubhav M

Community Manager

Hello @KEVIN28166455hkat

I’m sorry to hear you’re having similar trouble with Illustrator. Would you mind checking if this happens with specific files or if the local folder where you’re copying the files to is being actively synced by another application like OneDrive/Dropbox/etc, so we can assist you further?

Looking forward to hearing from you.
Anubhav

K

KEVIN28166455hkat

Participant

hey, thanks for the response!
and no, i dont use any cloud application such as One Drive, Dropbox, GDrive, Mega etc at all.

as i mentioned, this file only been through transfer from my laptop office and home pc using portable ssd.

i tried to copy paste the file to other local directory, it shows this:

any way to fix this?

O

OztechMedia Max

Participant

I’m getting the same issue here too. Latest version of Illustrator on an M1 Macbook Pro. I’ve already tried downloading the file to my HD but still no luck. Please fix immediately or explain how to access the file. I am under extreme deadlines to get this finished and suddenly i cannot access a file i was working on last night.

S

sapiensdeeds

Participant

I am having the same issue. File is a car blueprint purchased from a known vector marketplace. Not luck opening .pdf, .eps. or .ai file downloaded. I even tried previosuly purchased files (that I used in the past) and not luck. Wonder what is causing this. It’s a pain.

Anubhav M

Community Manager

Hello @sapiensdeeds,

I'm sorry to hear about your experience. Would you mind confirming the version of the OS/Illustrator installed and sharing a sample file along with a screenshot of the error message, so we can better assist you?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Anubhav

S

sapiensdeeds

Participant

Thanks for your response. I am on a iMac 24-inch 2024 - Apple M4 running Tahoe 26.5.2. I am not trying to load a file from a server or an external drive. I downloaded this file from a Car Blueprint market place, like I have done in the past.

Thanks in advance

D

defaultu1lmpz1xn0zb

Participant

Same issue here on a M1 macbook. Newly downloaded file and get the same message. Tried duplicating and that doesn't work either.

Illustrator 2023

Monika Gause

Community Expert

Which system is it? Do you open the file directly from a server?

D

defaultu1lmpz1xn0zb

Participant

M1 Macbook Ventura - No, file is in my downloads folder, No servers involved.

Anubhav M

Community Manager

Hello @StevenTP,

Sorry to hear about this experience. As pointed out by Kevin, there can be various factors involved when accessing files directly from a network drive in Illustrator, and it is not recommended. I would suggest working on your files from a local hard drive in Illustrator and then manually backing them up to the network/removable media. You may learn more about this here: https://helpx.adobe.com/in/illustrator/kb/illustrator-support-networks-removable-media.html.

Kindly update this thread if you need further assistance. We'd be happy to help.

Thanks,

Anubhav

D

Devyn29439268rpyn

Participant

hey i need some support

Anubhav M

Community Manager

Hello @Devyn29439268rpyn,

Thanks for reaching out. Would you mind confirming if your files are located on an external/network drive or a cloud-synced folder (Dropbox/Google Drive/OneDrive etc.)? If yes, kindly try moving the files to a local folder location, like the desktop, as suggested by Kevin, and check if it helps.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Thanks,

Anubhav

Kevin Stohlmeyer

Correct answer

Community Expert

Stop accessing files on a server. Drag them to your local HD and you wont have this issue. Then save and drag them back.

This is a common issue with remote drives/servers. The OS is not refreshing fast enough and thinks the file is still in use by either the OS (file previews, etc) or another application.

Officially Adobe does not support saving across network/remote servers/drives:

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/kb/networks-removable-media-photoshop.html