Illustrator links missing every time

[Paul Niedziela]

Every time I open an Illustrator file, I get an error that it can't find my links and I have to re-link all of my images. Why is this happening, when I haven't moved either the linked image or the Illustrator file? Even if I save my Illustrator file, then open it right back up this happens.

[jeff23827304ya3t]

Oh ok, got it.

[Mahmood Zidan]

To all the people explaining that the AI file must be in the same folder as images: The feature is lacking and it's normal behaviour is corrupt. If AI can't keep links with paths that are in different folders then why give us this option at first. It's a bug that needs to be fixed on Adobe's side. This isn't rocket sience, the linked files can be read anytime if following the path that is assigned when placing the image in the folder.

This makes Illustrator less professional in my opinion and tedious to work with.

[adobewbpcidrc2r34062697]

yeah, why aren't they fixint it, it's not hard. Makes it impossible to collabrate on work between mac and PC machines.. oh wait, that could be the reason..snap

[AndyLCB]

I also have this issue with illustrator when switching between a desktop and laptop that both use onedrive. It always asked to relink the missing files despite having the same location path/address. Never had this issue until recently (past month or so). It's a real pain.

[adobewbpcidrc2r34062697]

I used to at least be able to bulk select all instances of a linked image and bulk relink. Not even that works anymore.

[Caelan28119141bdp7]

Ina similar situation, I do collage art and have more than one instance of the same file, and I have to relink every instance of it, so time-consuming, it's infuriating. 

[Abambo]

This is an ancient thread. But as it has been woken-up recently, please find here my answer:

• Links work in Illustrator, as documented and as they should.
• If they do not work, and the paths are OK, you should definitely look at OS or hardware issues. If your assets are located on a network path, you should check if that network device is available and does not need first to establish the connection. Illustrator asks the OS for the asset. If the OS returns an error, Illustrator supposes that the asset is not there. It won't retest seconds later.