Adobe Illustrator will not open PNG files anymore

[carrieanneo7]

Illustrator has stopped letting me open PNG files. I never had an issue before until maybe a few days ago. I've tried every way I can think of to open it; right clicking on the image in the desktop, file open in illustrator, etc. No matter what I do, the file just will not open. Illustrator doesn't even give me an error or anything, the image simply just does not open in Illustrator.

[Ton Frederiks]

And File > Place?

[carrieanneo7 · Accepted solution]

I actually think I found the issue after reading another post where a user couldn't open any type of files. It stated that Adobe searches for a printer when opening an image (not sure why) but the printer that was set as my Default printer no longer works. Therefore, Adobe couldn't connect to it. I changed my default printer in Windows settings and my PNG files will now open.

[Ton Frederiks]

Good to hear you solved it that way.

[Miranda24607160dt41]

Has anyone found a better solve for this yet? I don't have a "default" printer at the moment and taking the extra step to export png files as jpg or tiff if need transparency is slowing down my workflow tremendously. I never had a problem until a few weeks ago. 

[Pixeltender]

did you ever manage to solve this? this is suddenly happening to me as of this week

[Ton Frederiks]

What version of Illustrator do you use?

[Quin27027931vw5d]

OMG I am having the same problem and I don't have a "default printer". Does anyone know how to fix this? It only became an issue of Illustrator not opening .png as of a week or so ago. And yes it is TOTALLY messing up my work flow to have to open every PNG in photoshop and resave as a JPEG.

[Allie5E2F]

same, wtf. anyone have a good solve?

[essemtea]

That is exactly what happens to me. Same message, different file name, of course. I tried placing, dragging, resaving new PNG from Photoshop, pasting...replacing link from the links panel, it just won't take any PNGs. I'm using illustrator (2021) 23.0.6. on a mac. I had to re-save everything to work with legacy and use illustrator 2019. Any help would be great.

[Cole_0]

I'm having the same issue!! Absolutely nothing works for me, had to convert files to JPG as well. 
Could it happen to be a bug? Anyone out there who can help at all?? Is there hope for us? 
Working from a v.2021 as well. 

[heatherr7713]

Same same. I have to drag an image to InDesign and then I can copy and paste it from InDesign into Illustrator. I cannot drag my images onto Illustrator artboard to open. I thought it was sossmthing about GPU preview or that there is a clipping mask on the png artfile, but.... sounds like this is a big problem for many. Hmmm

[Quin27027931vw5d]

ok thanks for the workaround on the InDesign drag into Illustrator. That adds a bunch of steps but at least it's a way to place a transparent background image. Adobe do you have any updates on when this bug will be fixed? I am using the online version of illustrator 2021

[Allie5E2F]

I ended up having to uninstall all adobe productd, then update my MacBook, reinstall newest version of illustrator and now we're in the clear. A lot of annoying work, but finally it's working.

[Met1]

Does it have to be an actual printer can you use Adobe PDF or OneSomething (sorry don't remember name and don't have it any more but do remember there was something else in there at one time)? (Edit Print presets→ Edit default → Choose "printer") 

[Anshul_Saini]

Hi All,

 @Allie5E2F @Quin27027931vw5d @heatherr7713 @Cole_0 @essemtea @Allie5E2F, @Miranda24607160dt41, @Pixeltender

We are sorry for the trouble and delayed response. There was a bug in v25.4.8, and the only way to resolve the issue is to update to a newer v26 or v27. However, if you cannot update to a more recent version, I can only provide a download link to the direct installer of v25.0.0 via DM. DM me if you need that.

Apologies for the inconvenience.

Thanks,

Anshul Saini

[TheSmallMonsters]

Thank you for the response Anshul. I'm running Illustrator 25.4.8 and am having the same problem. Unfortunately, I'm not able to update to the next available version (27.0.1) as it's not compatible with my workstation (I'm running a 2017 iMac and have updated the OS as much as possible). Do you have an installer link to version 26?

Thank you,

Sunil Sarwal

[Anshul_Saini]

Hi @TheSmallMonsters,

Thanks for reaching out. I checked & discovered that all the 2017 iMacs could be upgraded to macOS Ventura. If you upgrade your macOS, you should be able to update v27.0.1 or install older v26 from the creative Desktop app. The steps are here: https://helpx.adobe.com/download-install/using/install-previous-version.html

Kindly update the discussion if you still need assistance with it. We'd be happy to help.

Thanks,
Anshul Saini

[YoureWorseThanApple]

Hello Anshul. I hope you are well. Can you please provide a link to the v25.0.0 as mentioned above? I have the same issue with 25.4.8 Illustrator and PNGs and would like to downgrade....  (Each updated version of Adobe Creative Cloud only introduces more frustrating new issues). Thankyou   

[Anshul_Saini]

Hi @YoureWorseThanApple,

Thanks for reaching out. I have shared the download link via DM.

Please check and let me know if you need any further assistance.

Regards,

Anshul Saini

[Benjamin27413864d9fs]

Hi, Ansul!

Could you DM the link to downgrade as well? I'm having the same issue with not being able to open PNGs and I cannot update my MacOS.

Thanks,

Ben

[Quin27027931vw5d]

Please can I have the link as well? Thanks

[Anshul_Saini]

HI @Benjamin27413864d9fs @Quin27027931vw5d,

Thanks for reaching out. I have sent a DM. Please check.

Thanks,

Anshul Saini

[Robbie5D23]

Hi Anshul, I  also need the download link

[Anshul_Saini]

HI @Robbie5D23,

Thanks for reaching out. I have sent a DM. Please check.

Thanks,

Anshul Saini