Can't save file 'this file cannot be found' error

[csscms]

Hi There,

I've been working on a file for a cople of days that's on my desktop. Today I opened the file, made some edits and hit CMD + S and saw this error...

Things I've tried...

1. Copying the art into a new document and saving
2. Saving the new document to different disks (all local, no servers)
3. Creating a blank document with nothing in it and saving

Bascially, I can't save anything - has anyone else seen this?

Cheers

Ben

[WEIYI5CEB · Accepted solution]

I turned off the VPN of my pc security software then it worked.

[Marcin Wik]

I don't think this is the correct answer, because I generally don't work with VPN on and still had this problem.

[Monika Gause]

I don't think this is the correct answer, because I generally don't work with VPN on and still had this problem.

By @Marcin Wik

This thread has several correct answers since there are several causes for the issue. Individual for people.

[johnlunceford]

I think I've figured out.... Adobe just plain sucks.

[uniurchin]

I tried the accepted solutions and none of them worked for me. Then I opened the creative cloud app. There was an update prompt, after I selected "update" illustrator was able to save again, didn't need to quit.

[aleahmach1]

18 business card files open, one lousy change needs made on all and I get this error.  All file types, all files.  After reading EnzoLH's post I thought, no way.  However, this was the simplest and safest way to try first.  I switched just 1 of the 18 files from CMYK to RGB, then back again.  It worked!  I was able to save the files as-if that error never happened.  Yeah, I don't get it either!  Oviously a bug on Adobe's end, after an update.  Yeah, I don't get it either!

[Monika Gause]

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@aleahmach1  schrieb:

I switched just 1 of the 18 files from CMYK to RGB, then back again. 

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Business cards?

Did you check your colors afterwards? Because that step converted the blacks.

[aleahmach1]

I did go back and check each file afterwards, all remained CMYK.  After I finished I did close the program and reboot.  No errors after that on other files I was working on.  Weirdest glitch.

[Christine30763592vhuj]

Just had the same issue. Luckily I hadn't done too much work by the time I wanted to save. Tried other things on this thread but ended up giving up and closing illustrator without saving. When I reopened it I tried saving a new document and it was back to normal.

[TaufikC · Accepted solution]

For me, its because windows controlled folder access blocking the access to required folder path. To cope with it, you need to allow the app access.

Go to windows security > Virus & Threat protection > Ransomware protection > and under controlled folder access, click Allow an app through Controlled folder access

Then add illustrator and adobe services to allowed app list

[maryannr44378043 · Accepted solution]

I had the same issue and instead of double clicking the document, I dragged it down to the Illustrator icon in my Dock and it opened up just fine. I hope I don't have that issue again though. 

[John26029487lpfe]

Just another way Adobe sucks, and I can't IMAGINE what they're doing with all the money we pay them every month for the privilege of using insanely bugged software that they never fix. Same issues for years and years and years and years. Constantly running into walls that make meeting deadlines a complete nightmare. 

[Dimind]

TL:DR - Pause your VPN

This is absolutely rediculous, but I was experiencing the same issue and after testing and reading this thread, I can confirm a solution.  This issue happens every so often for me using illustrator. While trying to save a file I need to get to the printer, the updated print file would not save.  I tried everything I could think of, including changing the file name so it is a new file, changing where the file would be saved, changing the file format from ai to pdf...  I even tried changing the color space from CMYK to RGB as suggested in this thread.  Then I read a post giving the solution.

I have a VPN on my laptop workstation because I travel frequently for work and it is not safe to use hotel internet unprotected. Putting NordVPN on pause for 5 minutes instantly let me save the file, but pausing my VPN puts my computer and client files (aka my livlihood) at risk.

<rant>
ADOBE. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO VERIFY MY LOCATION TO YOU TO SAVE FILES TO MY HARD DRIVE. I have been using Adobe products since 1995 and time and time again you add "features" to the platform that inhibit my ability to work, sometimes changing functionality to do the exact opposite of what it has done for decades.  A few versions ago you changed the "constrain proportions" feature from what used to be holding shift and dragging a corner to default to the exact opposite; holding shift BREAKS constrain proportions and dragging the corner without shift constrains automatically.  So the people who have been using the program for decades and need it for work have to either change their engrained workflow or search the web for an obscure fix to turn it back to how it was before.  Even more rediculous... YOU DIDN'T MAKE THE CHANGE ACROSS ALL APPLICATIONS. Meaning the constrain proportions functionality works how it always used to work in Illustrator, InDesign, and the other apps.  THIS IS STUPID. WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS?
</rant>

[mattl63375823]

There is sooo much truth to your rant.

Another thing they changed in Photoshop is let's say I have 15 image files open. I go through the process of saving the original files as optimized pics and no longer need them open. If I close the files one at a time,  I have to click on the X to close it out and then click "yes" to verify" that I don't want to save the original file. This is an easy task if it's one file, but it's very time consuming when it's 10 or 20 or 30, as I often have to do.

To speed up my workflow, I optimize and save everything I need to save and then instead of X-ing out of each file individually,  I x out of Photoshop. Doing so assures it ONLY asks me if I am sure I want to close the file without saving, so it's essentially auto-closing the file and only asking me to verify I don't want to save the file. This saves 50% of the process... until now. I've noticed that after the action of saying NO to the file save multiple times, Photoshop assumes I want to auto close all files without having to say "no save" (which is true) AND that I want to completely shut down Photoshop. So now I have to re-open Photoshop.

It has become abundantly clear that Photoshop is designed by smart engineers who simply don't use the software.

[Monika Gause]

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@mattl63375823  schrieb:

It has become abundantly clear that Photoshop is designed by smart engineers who simply don't use the software.

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This is the Illustrator forum. You have questions about Photoshop: ask there. You want to complain about Photoshop, do that in the Photoshop forum. There are different teams for the apps.

You want to complain to the Illustrator team, post there: https://illustrator.uservoice.com

If it's about saving files, please read this: https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/kb/illustrator-support-networks-removable-media.html  

Also: software engineers are engineers, not designers or pro photographers. You want them to write functioning code, not make pretty pictures. If you do not like the route they take with the app, join the beta program and make your voice heard. This public forum is used 95% by volunteers. 

Ranting doesn't get you anywhere.

[johnlunceford]

I can't wait to retire and stop troubleshooting these junky adobe products. totally dispicable. 

 

[Monika Gause]

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@johnlunceford  schrieb:

I can't wait to retire and stop troubleshooting these junky adobe products. totally dispicable. 

 

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Which version, which system?

Exactly what are you trying to save exactly where?

[Amber32092687sn4w]

I'm also having the same issue. I see I have to turn my VPN off but I do not want to do that in order to save files.  I have AI 28.5. The only way I can get it to save is switching color modes.

[Wazone05]

I saw a video somewhere saying that this was related to saving in RGB or CMYK , but that s bullsh.. , I still have the problem and it s been here for ages ! ADOBE please solve that , it s just a bug and it is super annoying!

[Monika Gause]

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@Wazone05  schrieb:

I still have the problem 

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Whioch version, which system?

Exactly what are trying to save in exactly which format to exactly where?

If you are trying to save to a network: that works for some people, but not for all. 

If you are experiencing this while saving to your internal harddisk, try and turn off "Save in background" in the Illustrator preferences.

[William32117284e82g]

Just adding a note to this, in contrast to what @WEIYI5CEB's fix was, my issue was that I wasn't on my company's VPN. If I'm off VPN, saving a new file results in the error described. If I'm on the VPN, it works just fine. Seems like there are multiple issues that can result in this error, so just wanted to add one for anyone who stumbles across this thread.

[Matt26489694mq24]

Damn this thread is from 3 years ago and I just experienced this the first time today. Adobe needs to fix this. I don't have time to switch color profiles back and forth just to be able to save. Fix the bug Adobe.

[nadeem_7548]

I found solution for Windows, visit task manager and check for "AIrobin" under Illlustrator or in background process, right click and end task...now try to save your file....solved

[kweenipie]

EnzolH - this worked for me! Thanks!