Illustrator 2024 failing to save

[Jared5E62]

In recent times, Illustrator 2024 has become very tempermental and does not allow me to save.

I can progress through the dialog boxes fine, but the program seems to hang when i click Okay. It may save to 50%, 80% or 96% and then freeze.

Renders the program useless and very frustrating.

Running Windows 11.

[Jared5E62]

Sorry, the program doesn't freeze... just the save process.

[Bobby Henderson]

What kind of storage volume are you using to save your file? Is it an internal hard disc or SSD installed inside the computer? An external hard drive or removable USB memory stick? Are you saving across a network share? Or are you saving to a cloud-based storage location?

[Jared5E62]

I have tried saving to both an internal M2 drive and an external 5TB Seagate expansion drive. It was working fine until about 3 weeks ago then just stopped overnight. Sometimes I have success saving, but sporadically.

[Bobby Henderson]

Are the file saving problems only happening with Adobe Illustrator? Or do they occur with other applications too? Do the errors happen only when external drives are attached to the computer? I'd recommend checking both the internal M2 drive and external HDD for errors. You probably already know how to do this. But just in case: In Windows File Explorer right-click on the drive letter and select Properties, choose the Tools tab in the Properties window, then choose the Error Checking option. Defragmenting drives is another option in the same tab.

Pardon the dumb question, but have you been powering down and rebooting the computer? I have a couple of co-workers who will leave computer systems running for weeks on end. I don't like doing that. It just asks for a variety of problems.

[Jared5E62]

Hi Bobby,

It seems to be only Illustrator. No other applications (including other Adobe) and it happens when saving to both internal and external hard drives.

I have uninstalled, re-installed, reset preferences, updated Windows, checked my hard drives. Nothing seems to work (including rebooting).

Look forward to your further thoughts.

Thanks!

[Bobby Henderson]

Here's a couple other things worth trying. You could try removing Illustrator 28.0 using the Creative Cloud Cleaner tool. That would remove all the traces of the previous installation. Then you could try installing that version again. Or you could roll back to version 27.9 or even try installing the Public Beta version. I suspect something in the Illustrator installation has become corrupted and isn't clearing itself with the usual steps. The Cleaner tool might help.

More information and download links for the Creative Cloud Cleaner tool can be found here:
https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/kb/cc-cleaner-tool-installation-problems.html

[Jared5E62]

Hi Bobby,

I removed 28.0 and used the CC Cleaner tool, then re-installed. That seems to have fixed it. Fingers crossed anyway.

Thanks so much for your help!

[Jared5E62]

Hi Bobby,

No luck unfortunately. I would like to try rolling back to 27.9. How do I go about that?

Thanks.

[Monika Gause]

Here's how to install older versions:

https://helpx.adobe.com/download-install/using/install-previous-version.html 

[Jared5E62]

Thanks Monika,

I just rolled back to 27.9 and have exactly the same issue! Arrrrgh....

Any further thoughts?

Thanks.

[Monika Gause]

You might want to contact Customer Care

And/or have a hardware expert check your disks and stuff.,

https://helpx.adobe.com/contact.html 

[Mike_Gondek]

Run Windows update on WIn 11. are you saving to a local drive drive, network, cloud or other?

[Jared5E62]

Just checked for updates and there is none. I am trying to save to a local drive. Tried internal M2 hard drive and external drive.

[williamm18951721]

I have had the same issues with trying to save files with the "make PDF compatible" checked - which I need for placing in an Indesign file. I tried rolling back previous versions, which didn't work.

I unchecked "save in background" under Edit>Preferences>File Handling, and it fixed it!!