Illustrator could partially read this file

[MartinBelfast]

Hi, I have been experiencing issues when opening .ai files. I think the problems started after the last update. I get a message saying 'Illustrator could partially read this file'. When the file opens I only see one artboard with the content broken apart, similar to what you would see if you opened a .pdf in Illustrator.

I have tried installing a previous version and then going back to the latest version but it does not correct the problem. I have copied files to my hard drive and tried to place files into a new file but nothing gets me back my full file.

There doesn't seem to be anything wrong with the file as I have just installed a trial version of Affinity Designer and my .ai files open without any issues. I really need to find a solution otherwwise I will probably have to go with Affinity Designer to open my files. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[Anshul_Saini]

Hi @jonathans7692740 @Gabriela22060298brl6,

We are sorry to hear about the trouble. Please confirm that you are getting this error while working in Illustrator v26.2.1. If yes, please share the download link to the file with me, and I will forward it to the product team, and they will check it on their end.

I will be looking forward to your responses.

Regards,

Anshul Saini

[linh235]

Hi, 

I got error after install AI v26.2.1

Can I email to you for support?

Thank you

[Kārlis]

just change primary scratch disk in illustrator preferences to another disk, restart illustrator.. and file will open OK

[Anshul_Saini]

Hi @linh235,

Sorry about the trouble. You may send me the DM. To send a DM, click on my profile picture and click on the button "send a message." Also, I would request you to share a few details like:

• Operating systems (macOS/ Windows)?
• Is this happening with a specific file or all? Is it a new file or an old one?
• Do the files have lots of embedded images?
• Where are you saving the files (Network Drive/ System HDD/ Shared Folder on System/ External HDD)?
• Are there any recent changes made to your system? For example, any antivirus, system updates, plugins, or web extensions installed recently.
• Would it be possible for you to upload the files on Google Drive, We-transfer, Dropbox, or a similar service and share the download link via DM? I'll check at my end.

We are here to help. We just need more info.

Thanks & Regards,

Anshul Saini

[Terence Stets21797368pko1]

Hie. Hie Anshul. I lost layers of my illustrator file containing artwork. I can now only recover a single default layer with the art now contained in a single clip group. I am using Adobe Illustrator 26 . 0 . 1 on a windows O.S. This is only happening to this specific file and does not contain too any embedded images. I am saving the file in a Hard Disk Drive and there are no recent changes to my computer's system. Please help.

[jonathans7692740 · Accepted solution]

Just installed new update, worked.

Almost died i tought for a couple of minutes that i had lost 5 monts of work!

Thanks

Jonathan Severin

@BetterforAll_skull on twitter

[Indyboosler]

My problem STARTED after an update! (27.9)

[Anshul_Saini]

Hello @Indyboosler,

I'm sorry to hear about the issue you're facing with Illustrator, which began after the recent update to version 27.9.

In cases like this, where Illustrator can partially read a file, it often occurs with mildly corrupted files. These corruptions can result from various factors, such as transferring the file to an external drive, saving it on a server or network drive, or experiencing interruptions during the save process. Additionally, embedded images within the file could have become corrupted in some way.

To address this, you may want to consider the following steps:

• Before attempting any fixes, make sure to create a backup of your file to prevent any further data loss.

• You can try to repair the file using Adobe Illustrator's built-in file recovery options. To do this, open Illustrator, go to "File" > "Open," and select your problematic file. Illustrator will attempt to recover and repair the file.

• Ensure that the file is not stored on a network drive, external drive, or cloud storage where connection issues might have contributed to the problem.

• If there are linked images in the file, inspect them for any signs of corruption. Replacing the images might help.

I hope this helps you get back on track with your work in Illustrator. If you have any more questions or need further assistance, please don't hesitate to ask.

Best regards,

Anshul Saini

[Gabriela22060298brl6]

I´ve got the same problem. Two days trying to find the solution! I fixed it by unistalling the latest version and installing V25.4.1.

Thanks to the people who answered this problem post in the community.

Best regards!

[janl12244196]

In my case it was just an empty compound path in one layer. After deleting it there was no error. It was trial and error method.

[Joann gabel]

I have the same problem. After I updated to Illustrator 26.0.3 every file gave me an "Illustrator could partially read this file" error. I have to press cancel and open again 5-6 times to see everything. I'm wasting so much time. Please help! 

[Monika Gause]

Where is the file located?

[Joann gabel]

In the folder on my desktop. 

[Anshul_Saini]

Hi @Joann gabel,

We are sorry to hear about the trouble you are facing. Would you mind updating to v26.5 and checking if that helps?

If it doesn't, would you mind resetting Illustrator preferences and letting us know how it goes?

I will be looking forward to your response.

Regards,

Anshul Saini

[Joann gabel]

Hi @Anshul_Saini ,

Version v26.5 is not on the Versions list. (Please see the attached list from the Creative Cloud app.)

The latest version is 26.0.3. Which is my version. 

Update: The problem is still the same. Every Illustrator file (big or small) from every folder in my MacBook is giving the same error a few times. I have to cancel and open it again 3-5 times to see the whole thing. 

[Monika Gause]

The latest version is 26.5

You might want to update your Creative Cloud app and force it to search for new versions.

[Anshul_Saini]

Hi @Joann gabel,

Sorry for the delayed response. Would you mind updating to Illsuatrtor 2023 and seeing if that helps?

If it doesn't, would you mind sharing the file with us here or via DM? We'll check it on our end.

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

Thanks & Regards,
Anshul Saini

[varxtis]

Im having the same issue. Was on ver 27 when it happened.
Computer shutdown unexpectedly. Went to continue working on project (a year in the works), Said could partially read file, but no info/graphics when adding PDFs(?). 
Closed and did power cycle to PC a few times, same thing.
Uninstalled from Creative cloud, did power cycle on PC, installed 26.5 ("older version"), opened file, same issue. 
Updated to 26.5.1, same issue
Updated back to 27, same issue

Is there no way to recover this file??

Please help.

[Monika Gause]

In case the shutdown happened while saving the file, then you're probably lost. For a whole year you didn't make a single backup of this important file? 

Maybe Anshul can try and recover the file, but there is not a lot of hope.

Make backups. Lots of them. Different versions.

[varxtis]

>_> 
That cut deep Monika... Deep I say T_T
But ya, no back up of important file. *cries running to Monika* forgiiive me for my extremely newb mistake.
Sent file to file@adobe.com 
Will reach out to Anshul directly. Thank you.

Edit: I lucked out SOOO much. OneDrive has a feature to restore files to a previous verion. I had attempted through the OneDrive website before posting here and it wasn't working. Figured I might as well try all the options and go through file explorer. It worked. I was able to restore to a version 15mins before the error occured. Definitely learned a valuable lesson though. Back up.

[Anshul_Saini]

Hi @varxtis,

Thanks for reaching out. Glad to hear you were able to restore the file. Adding on to the Monika comment, saving or working files is in vulnerable space whenever the system shutdown unexpectedly. It renders the file handicapped and unrecoverable as valuable data gets lost, as Illustrator didn't have enough time to write the data. I would suggest using Cloud Document as it has a version history functionality available and makes the file easy to share with stakeholders for review.

Please feel free to reach out if you run into any other issues or queries. We'd be happy to help.

Thanks,

Anshul Saini

[christinev87215320]

Hi Anshul Saini

I'm having the same problem with my file. I worked on the file yesterday and saved it. It had no errors, the file is on my computer- not on external, the links are all on my compunter and the file is no different than other files I work on. When I opened it this morning I received this notification: 

And when selecting OPEN> the files opens blank like this:

 In the windows preview of the file- the file appears to be normal and the design is visible: 

Please can you help me to fix the file. I have tried older versions of Illustrator with no success. Download link
https://we.tl/t-4GURNgBVRQ 

[Anshul_Saini]

Hi @christinev87215320,

I apologize for the inconvenience you're experiencing with your file. I understand how frustrating it can be when you encounter issues like this. I have received your file and will investigate it further. I will consult with the product team to see if there's a solution or workaround to recover the design.

Please allow some time for me to look into this matter, and I will get back to you with any possible solutions or information as soon as possible. In the meantime, if you have any other questions or encounter additional issues, please don't hesitate to ask. Your patience is greatly appreciated.

Best,

Anshul Saini

[Anshul_Saini]

@christinev87215320, after consulting with our product team, it appears that the file is indeed corrupted and cannot be recovered. To prevent such issues in the future, their recommendation is to save your files as Cloud Documents. This can help safeguard your work against similar problems.

Best,

Anshul

[Aryo271779477obs]

Can you help me to solve my problem. I got notification like "Illustrator Could Patially Read This File". And my artwork just being like an exported file/jpg when i open it. Can you help me? 😭