Could not read the file because the plug-in could not understand this file.

[caseyb77358809]

I am getting this error message on dozens of my files. I can't get any of them to open!

"Could not read the file because the plug-in could not understand this file."

I have Illustrator CC 2018 - The files are saved as CS6 with no PDF or attached files embedded. Only 2 linked files.

What can I do to fix my files?

[Monika Gause]

Exactly where did you save those files?

What did happen to the files since you saved them? Some disk crash, recovery, transferring to new drive ...

How do you get those files on your computer now?

When there is no PDF embedded, then chances are getting small. Did you already restart your computer? Take the files to a different computer?

[Ton Frederiks · Accepted solution]

You could try to move the file to a different folder to break the link to the linked files.

Or open the linked files in Photoshop and save them as .psd.

Accor ding to this thread it seems to be related to corrupted linked files.

CS4 error message: Could not read the file because the plug-in could not understand the file

[shiagarw]

illustrator versions post 24.1 already have corrupt links handelling.. so upgrading illustraotr can takeaway the pain of to and fro.

[graferino]

Since a few weeks, I'm having this problem more and more often

Most of the time, saving the file on the desktop and disconnecting does the trick. But when I'm connecting to the server again to link the files and find the corrupt one, there isn't any corrupt file. I can open all the files, none is corrupt. After linking them again, the AI-file still works.

But just now, I've done exactly that. I moved the file to the server again and I could open it. But now, 10 minutes later, the same problem occurs again!! As I said, I couldn't find any corrupt file. AND I could open it already.

Does anyone have any idea? I've already spent hours "repairing" these files without detecting any corrupted linked files. This is so annoying

[Monika Gause]

There is a general issue with Illustrator and files on servers.

For some people it still works but for others it doesn't

[alonag88578804]

Hey Monika,

I'm having the same issue with illustrator. I literally created an account yesterday, so all the apps are the latest version. The file we worked on yesterday can't be open today. Any advice on this?

[alonag88578804]

Ok, it seems like I managed to solve it. I went back to the assets that were used in the file (.png file images) for some reason, one of them got the same error message when trying to open it in illustrator. By replacing that .png file everything came back to normal.

[antoniotripodi]

Change file extention from ".ai" to ".txt" to ".ai"

It worked for me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NcHlX3vUYs

[wingmlo]

I just upgraded to Illustrator 2020 and now I get this message "Could not read the file because the plug-in could not understand this file" to all my files that have clipping paths. I've tried to ignore the links, but it won't let me open the files evne when I ignore, or try to relink the images. I've tried to change the illustrator's file extension, and then chaging it back. Any other suggestions? Anyone else running into this issue?

[dean70719652]

Its because 2020 is now using POSIX style file paths instead of HFS.

[rkdiddy]

Yes, I'm having the same exact issue.  I've tried moving the file and changing the extension, nothing has helped yet.  I hate having to recreate files that I could instead just be updating.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[rkdiddy]

I found this in another thread...worked for me.

Hi All,

Sorry to hear about this error. This has been reported by a few other users as well and we are still investigating this. Please try following these steps and let us know how it goes.

Go to System Preferences > Full Disk Access > Make sure the Checkbox in front of Illustrator is checked.

Once done, quit Illustrator and relaunch it again and you should be able to open the files.

Regards,

Srishti

[ekling]

Thank you so much!!! You just saved my life. Your solution worked and now I can open my working files from the past 5.5 years.

[seconds19102724]

I'm having this issue too! I can't seem to find "full disk access" under system preferences...what am I missing? 

[rkdiddy]

Here you go:

System Preferences > Security & Preferences > Privacy > Full Disk Access then check Adobe Illustrator 2020. 

Hope that helps!

Rick

[erikwaters1]

This solutions did not help me.  It was a recently downloaded .PNG file that my Preview can read on a Macbook Pro but will not open in Adobe AI.

Any other suggestions would be helpful!  Thanks!

[Monika Gause]

"This solutions did not help me. It was a recently downloaded .PNG file"

This thread is about AI files.

For your PNG, please try and open it in Photoshop and then save via Save for Web. And then try again and place in Illustrator.

[erikwaters1]

Thank you for your reply.  I should have clarified that while working in AI I am trying to place a PNG into a project.  I still used the work around you provided and the error still happens.

[Monika Gause]

Can you save it as a PSD? As a TIF?

[erikwaters1]

changing the file to .tiff extension allowed me to import/place it with the checkered transparancey bg.  Since the graphic was simple, I did a Image/Trace and removed it.  Thanks!

[mtraps]

Saved me hours here man, thank you!

[Thepeacemann]

Some of these solutions in this thread got me in the right direction and I ended up figuring out the problem. 

For me it ended up being...

System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy > Files & Folders > and then I didn't have "Documents Folder" checked, allowing Illustrator to access the documents folder, once I checked that, my files opened!  

Hopefully that helps!

[phocques]

Having the same problem with png files - where are you finding 'System Preferences'? In AI preferences or the computer's preferences?  I have been all over AI pref's and can't find that terminology anywhere. A little more info would be really helpful, thanks...

[Monika Gause]

https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/using/setting-preferences.html