Inspiring

Question

nothing happens when try to save in Illustrator 2023

Forum|Forum|2 years ago
July 17, 2023
3 replies
628 views

Hi. Hoping someone can help out. I use Illustrator 2023 on a MacBook. Everything is up to date and in current version. Here's the problem. I have a few open files that I've been working on and want to save. However, nothing happens when I save them. No error message. No hourglass. Nothing. Same if I try to export the files. This is the case whether I use the file drop down menu or command S.

The files aren't in my cloud either.

I've tried closing the file and "save changes before closing" but nothing happens then either.

This has happened a few times in the past and I've had to quit without saving anything, losing all my work. I'd really prefer not to have to do the same here.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance.

This topic has been closed for replies.

Anshul_Saini

Community Manager

Hi there,

I'm sorry to hear about the issue you're facing with Illustrator not saving files. We understand how frustrating it can be. To better assist you, could you please let us know if you're still experiencing the problem? If so, could you share the exact version of macOS and Illustrator you're using?

Regarding the macOS version, there was a known issue in macOS 12.3 or earlier that caused problems with saving files, but it was resolved in macOS 12.3.1 and newer versions. So, updating your macOS might help if you're on an older version.

Also, would you mind confirming if you are able to see any options or prompts after clicking "Save As" (Check screenshots for reference)? This might provide us with more clues about the issue.

Additionally, have you tried resetting preferences as suggested by Bill?

Looking forward to your response so we can assist you further.

Best,
Anshul Saini

Monika Gause

Community Expert

Where do you save the files? If not on the local disk: try that.

Also: Turn off Save in backlground in the Illustrator preferences.

If that doesn't help: save them as PDF and make sure that "Illustrator editing capabilities" is turned ON

D

DAS323iAuthor

Inspiring

Hi. Thanks for your response. I can't even get to the point of choosing where to save the files. Nothing at all happens when I try to save them. No windows open. No error messages. No hourglass. This happens when I attempt to export the files too. And, I've tried saving as a PDF via the print dialog and that doesn't work either!

Thank you again

Monika Gause

Community Expert

Hi. Thanks for reply. I tried the old school printer PDF route as a last resort!!! Unfortunately, it didn't work.

Yes, Illustrator still functions as it should, wiht the exception of the problem saving.
I'm not sure what you mean by your last question. I often have a few different AI files active/open at once.

Did you try to use "Save as" instead of just Save?

Can you try and save an EPS? Make sure you select the highest version from the menu.

Are all your fonts OK?

Is your printer driver up to date and the printer turned on? This is independent from printing as a PDF - Illustrator saves information about the printer into the file. If it cannot find a printer or there's something with the printer driver, then Illustrator freaks out.

Bill Silbert

Community Expert

The first thing that I would suggest is to trash your Illustrator preferences. This will restore the program to its defaults which will, hopefully, fix the issue.

To do so on a Mac:

The User Library folder in which Illustrator’s preferences are stored is hidden by default on most Macintoshes. To access it make sure that Illustrator is closed and click on the desktop to launch a Finder Window (Command-N).With this window in column view follow the path User>Home folder (it’s the folder with an icon that looks like a house—it may have the user’s name rather than “Home”) and click on the Home folder. With the Option Key pressed choose Library from the Finder Go Menu. “Library” will now appear within the Home folder. Within the Library folder find the folder called Preferences and within it find the folder called “Adobe Illustrator <Version #> Settings” (earlier versions of Illustrator might just say “Adobe Illustrator”) and the file called “com.adobe.Illustrator.plist” and delete both that folder and that file. When Illustrator is next launched it will create new preference files and the program will be restored to its defaults.

The advantage of manually deleting preference files in this manner is that after you’ve reset up the program (make sure that no document window is open) to your liking, you can create copies of your personalized “mint” preference files (make sure that you quit the program before copying them—that finalizes your customization) and use them in the future to replace any corrupt versions you may need to delete.

D

DAS323iAuthor

Inspiring

Thanks very much for the prompt response. If possible, I'm hoping to save the files before closing Illustrator. If I read your message correctly, though, I'd need to close Illustrator before proceeding. If I do that, however, the files won't be saved and I'll lose all my work. Is there a workaround?
Thank you again very much

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