Illustrator does not save changes to an already created document.

[Caroline França]

I need super help.

I'm having a problem with my Illustrator. I use version 26.1, but this problem has already happened on another version and also on another computer. When I open some file created inside illustrator and I go to save it (ctrl + s) after making some changes, it doesn't know. Illustrator loads the save and shows as save complete (100%), after that I close the document. But when I go to open the document again, the document appears unchanged. I don't know how to solve this, but it's hurting me a lot, because sometimes I make a lot of changes in a single document, and I end up having to do it all over again.

Can anyone help me?

[Ton Frederiks]

Where do you save them? Desktop, server, cloud service folder?

[Caroline França]

In a folder on your computer that syncs with the cloud.

[Ton Frederiks]

What kind of cloud sync service folder? Adobe Creative Cloud Files folder? Something  else?

Does first saving on your desktop and copy the result to that folder work?

[Monika Gause]

In the Illustrator preferences try and turn off "Save in background"

[chanaart]

I am trying to re do the same. Can you send more information about the system?

[cyberhedz]

The identical issue with saving the file troubles me. After saving it as a copy, I had to exit Illustrator to make the necessary changes one at a time.

[Monika Gause]

Does it still happen when you turn off "Save in background"

[ScottSportsSteven]

I'm having the same issue. I have version 27.3.1 and I save and close, then come back later and open the file, and my file is back to were it was beore I made the changes and saved. I made the change and unchecked "Save in background," closed illustrator, and then opened again, made the changes to the document, saved, and opened again and the changes aren't saved.

[Monika Gause]

Exactly where do you save the file?

[ScottSportsSteven]

It is to a drive on a local server. The changes are small, the changes that seem to cause the issue are unhiding layers. I make them visible, and then save and close, I come back and they are hidden again. The preview in Illustrator on the main page when you open Illustrator shows the changes with the layers visibile, but when you open the file, the layers are hidden again.

[Monika Gause]

Illustrator does not like to save over networks. It might work for some, but fail for others. There is a technote about it: https://helpx.adobe.com/in/illustrator/kb/illustrator-support-networks-removable-media.html

[ScottSportsSteven]

Thank you for that info, that is good to know! I just did a test, saved a copy to my desktop, and closed it, opened it, and ran the test again, an my saved modifcations to the document are still gone. Luckily for this document, it isn't a big issue, but I can forsee this being a bigger issue in the future, if bigger modifcations don't get saved.

[ScottSportsSteven]

Here is a screen recording of this issue. This file is saved on my desktop.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JdfYNs8mZE-TGoqRjpOCW7Li2DMmvWoI/view?usp=share_link

[Monika Gause]

Maybe start all the obvious things:

- what happens when you save under a different name?

- reboot the computer?

- reset the preferences

- reinstall Illustrator?

What kind of system is it?

Did you check for viruses?

Does Illustrator have full disk access?

[GlobeFlowerPublishers]

2 years after you reported this, I am experiencing the same problem? Changes are not saved, i saved everywhere, desktop, etc. How frustrating, I have wasted hours.

[Monika Gause]

Try and turn off "Save in background" in the preferences and try again.

[Anubhav M]

Hello @GlobeFlowerPublishers,

We hope Monika's suggestions have been helpful in resolving the issue. If you still need assistance, please feel free to reply to this thread. We're here to support you.

Thanks,
Anubhav

[alanawpiper]

Here we are in June 2025 and I'm experiencing this same issue. Doing the work, proofing it in the application, saving to my documents folder, sending to my client who is then rightfully upset that I delivered the wrong content.

Adobe, if we do nothing else, we have to be confident that our work is saved and that the correct files are being delivered to our clients. 

What is being done to fix this?

[Anubhav M]

Hello @alanawpiper,

I'm sorry to hear about your experience. Could you share more details, like the version of the OS/Illustrator installed, and a small screen recording of your exact workflow, so I can better assist you?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Anubhav

[Monika Gause]

Did you turn off "Save in background"?