Illustrator error "An unknown error has occurred"

[jessicar67402057]

I am working in an .ai file that I have saved frequently before. Suddenly when I try to save the file, I get an error that reads "an unknown error has occurred" and the file won't save at all, anywhere. I have not seen this error message before and have had no issues opening or saving the file up until this point.

I need to have the file as an .ai file (not .eps or any other format). I am working in Illustrator CC (2015.3) and using macOS Sierra.

[Kevin Stohlmeyer]

Are you attempting to save to a network or remote disk?

Does the error occur when saving to your desktop?

Also, if you upgraded Sierra over CC2015, you may want to try and reinstall after you upgrade your OS.

There have been multiple reports of CC2015.x not working fully with Sierra, which was released after 2015.

The only other option would be to upgrade to CC2017.

[Lovepop Registrations]

I can confirm that CC2017 is also having this issue. I'm saving to my local and it spits up the attached error when I try and save the document.

[thatsallabout]

I'm having the same F problem!

[DeannaJG]

I'm having major issues with CC2017 also!! This and others. SO frustrating as cannot save files or access previous saved files. I have uninstalled and reinstalled with same problems. I have to have some files finalized and seems no way to talk to anyone at Adobe for help!

[Monika Gause]

DeannaJH  schrieb

I'm having major issues with CC2017 also!! This and others. SO frustrating as cannot save files or access previous saved files. I have uninstalled and reinstalled with same problems. I have to have some files finalized and seems no way to talk to anyone at Adobe for help!

Do you have a printer installed, set up as default printer and turned on?

If you don't have a printer, install a PDF printer.

[DeannaJG]

Yes, Monika, I do. I've tried alternately printing to my printer as a PDF with no luck.

[Larry G. Schneider]

What type of printer are you using? What OS and version? Monika's advice is to install a virtual printer which directly creates PDF files. AI needs to see an active printer to write data to the file being printed for future reference.

[DeannaJG]

I use Microsoft Windows 10. Actual printer is HP Officejet Pro, but I instead of trying to save the design as an ai's PDF, which shows an error code, I use the following alternate printer (which I use for other documents and works fine), but apparently this isn't what you or Monika are referring to.

[Larry G. Schneider]

Not knowing a lot about Windows, but it seems this is a viable printer option.

[drkarlosi]

Try re-starting illustrator, that should do it, to be sure also convert all fonts into outline in case there is a corrupt font involved.

[jessicar67402057]

The error message pops up whenever I try to save the file in a different format to my desktop. I am working in EPS format and still can't seem to save as a PDF or AI file at all. No locked or hidden layers, so that can't be the issue either.... I did try resetting Illustrator preferences and that also didn't seem to make a difference....

[Monika Gause]

jessicar67402057 schrieb:

The error message pops up whenever I try to save the file in a different format to my desktop. I am working in EPS format and still can't seem to save as a PDF or AI file at all. No locked or hidden layers, so that can't be the issue either.... I did try resetting Illustrator preferences and that also didn't seem to make a difference....

Is a printer connected, turned on and set up?

[Kevin Stohlmeyer · Accepted solution]

Do your files have linked assets?

A similar thread came up a long time ago and removing linked assets fixed it- one of them was corrupted.

Another solution would be to reset your Illustrator preferences (hold Shift+Opt+Cmd before startup).

[athletic_ForestB839]

Thank you, so much, this worked

[Syah Rio27180111ppnv]

Cool resolved. It's works

[Katarina Joan]

Thank you this worksss!

[candicey16683953]

this worked for me also, deleting the linked file.

[hjk11681055]

problem solved! thanks!

[Russell236960163q4w]

brilliant! this worked for me, thanks much!

[magnetic_heart5CB3]

IT WORKS T___T thank u so much

[Kevin Stohlmeyer]

Also check your disk permissions to make sure they are all set properly.

[Lovepop Registrations]

My disk permissions seem fine. I can read/write to the file.

[Lovepop Registrations]

After some testing, hidden layers have something to do with it. If doesn't happen for all layers, but when I hide certain top level layers and then attempt to save it throws the unknown error.

For context, I am on a Mac, running OS X El Captian Version 10.11.4

[Monika Gause]

An issue is already being investigated which locked and/or hidden layers.

If some of your layers are locked/hidden, then this might occur. Can you check that?