Problem with Adobe Illustrator 2022 not saving files in ai format

[jinheek68951614]

I have had the saivng problem since I upgraded to 2022.

suddenly I have the saving problem, so then I have tried uninstalling and reinstalling, but it's still not working. I think I cannot save files in only .ai formant.

the error box says "Illustrator tried, but could not save the file "file name .ai". Click "Learn More" to try alternate options for saving your file."

This happens with all files when I try to save in .ai format either files are included fonts or any illustration. 

Please help me with that I use Adobe Illustrator for my business I need to use this ASAP. 

[Anshul_Saini]

Hi @Sarah24027337v0u8,

I am sorry to hear this. I Would request you to please share a few details like:

• Are you getting any errors or the save dialog box is not appearing, or the save button is not clickable?
• Please check if updating to macOS v12.3.1 helps or not?
• Please share a screen recording of the issue. It would be really helpful for us.

Also, where are you trying to save the files (Network Drive/ System HDD/ Shared Folder on System/ External HDD)?

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

Thanks & Regards,

Anshul Saini

[Strangerous Artworks]

Hi, 

Error still happens when you quick save (ctrl/cmd+S) on external drive SSD/HDD. Save as is working. 

I've unchecked "Optimise opening & saving time for slow network", "Save in background", allowed my external disk, saved first in the cloud, deactivated "PDF optimisation". 

So far, I've lost dozens of hours spent on two projects : the first time - I was not aware of the bug -  was a whole night of work for a quick rush, I finalized everything at 5 am, shine and bright, at 9 am I started my computer, everything was lost. I had to quickly do hand drawings to sketch out the project for the client meeting at 10, luckily with success at the end.

Yesterday, the same thing happened again, altough I was aware of the bug and I saved the file multiple times with Save As : 5 hours gone up in smoke, had to redoit all over again. This is a good way to improve and synthesize project though ! Or maybe a hard way, don't you think ? 

It's one thing having bugs about features, precision of handling, UX non-sense, etc. But losing files makes your software an unprofessional tool, I can't rely on this level of malfunction. 

So my correct answer is using an alternate software, affinity designer, which - for a one time 50$ / no monthly subscription, kills Illustrator in so many ways ! I've been thinking about trying it for months, now I've been working on it for 3 days, it's a joy of speed, pixel perfect precision of the controls, the interface is so neat, you can manage thousands of objects without any lag!!! You can paintbrush a vector illustration like in Photoshop, without changing software !! Guys, it's awesome. And no more problems saving my files, incredible. I can even save them in AI... Why do we stay faithful for so long to a software that has so many bugs? I do not know now...

[Anshul_Saini]

Hi @Strangerous Artworks,

I am really sorry to hear about your experience. This is not the experience we want you to have. I would request you to share the screenshot of the error you are getting, and please confirm the OS & version of Illustrator.

Also, please check if you are able to save files locally on your machine or not, as it is not recommended to save files on an external disk, and there is very limited support for external/ network drives or virtual environments as many variables affect application performance. For more details, please check out this help article (https://helpx.adobe.com/in/illustrator/kb/illustrator-support-networks-removable-media.html).

I will be looking forward to your response.

Regards,

Anshul Saini

[Voi Smith]

Nice way to shill ur product bro lol! But seriously dont waste our time with ill timed promotions because theres people here trying to solve real problems! ᵔᴥᵔ 

[Le Monsieur]

@Anshul_Saini, I realized I should tag you. As per my last comment this is still an active bug in Illustrator v26.3.1 on Windows.

[Belinda24036079guex]

Hi Hope there is an easy fix for this.

Illustrator updated on my computer on July 27. Currently running Illustrator 2022 v26.4 (Windows).  Today I am able to open files both new and existing but can not "save", or "save as". The only way I can save is to use "save a copy". If I "save" or "save as" the file freezes for a few minutes and I have to use the Esc key to be able to continue to work. I am saving locally on my computer.

Thanks in advance. Belinda

[Belinda24036079guex]

@Anshul_Saini, probably should have tagged you in on this. B

[Anshul_Saini]

Hi @Belinda24036079guex,

We are sorry to hear about the trouble. Would you mind trying resetting Illustrator preferences and font troubleshooting? Users have gotten help by resetting preferences, clearing system font cache & validating fonts. If that doesn't help, would you mind sharing a few details like:

• Is this happening in a specific document or all?
• Are there any recent changes made to your system? For example, any antivirus, system updates, plugins, or web extensions installed recently.

Also, have you tried turning off Save in Background from the Ai preferences > File Handling? 

Looking forward to your response.

Thanks & Regards,
Anshul Saini

[Belinda24036079guex]

Thanks @Anshul_Saini, I have reset my preferences and removed the saving in background and re-started Illustrator.

The problem is happening on all illustrator files . If I create a new file it won't let me "save" or "Save as" to my desktop. I can "Save a Copy" then once I have done that if I go to close the file it prompts me to save the document which it will perform as expected. If I open a new file and add some graphics then close it asks if I wish to save changes before closing. So it is sort of working!! On existing documents, when I open and make a minor edit it is not "saving" and Save as" but I can "save a copy" and if I close the document it prompts me to save before closing which it will do. The bottom line is that "save" works in some instances and "Save as" doesn't work at all just freezes Illustrator for a few seconds. I am working on my Desktop and not on a server.

This problem has only surfaced since I upgraded to 26.4 two days ago.

I work for a large organisation and have spoken to my IT department. They advised that the last update was run on 20 July, a week prior to this problem occuring. They also checked the system compatability and advise that this is all Okay.  

Should I be considering uninstalling and reinstalling Illustrator?

Thanks again, Belinda

[cattydw]

Try to turn OFF  Preferences > File Handling > Save in Background.

[Belinda24036079guex]

Thanks @cattydw I have already tried that without sucess. 

[Anshul_Saini]

Hi @Belinda24036079guex,

Thanks for sharing the details. Please confirm if you are seeing any progress/ processing bar while saving the files. Also, we have recently released a 26.4.1 update. Please check if updating helps or not.

Regards,

Anshul Siani

[Belinda24036079guex]

Hi I fixed this problem by uninstalling and then re-installing Illustrator. None of the other suggested fixes worked.

[richardk32]

It's back with a vengeance. Cannot save an .ai file if it has any font in it, even if it's as generic as TNR or Arial. Also won't convert any fonts to outlines - choice to do so is greyed out. Ran every available update, restarted my iMac, and turned off the suggested file handling preference. 

[Anshul_Saini]

Hi @richardk32,

We are sorry to hear about the trouble. Would you mind sharing a few details like:

• The exact version of macOS & Illustartor
• Does this start happening after the last update?
• Does the file get saved if it has some graphics or a filled shape?
• Please share a screenshot of the text, including the layers panel.

Also, would you mind trying resetting Illustrator preferences and font troubleshooting to check if the issue gets resolved or not?

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

Thanks & Regards,

Anshul Saini

[resourceful_practice15A9]

October 2024 and we are STILL having the same issue. I want my money back. Just lost EVERYTHING on a project bc of Adobe's incompetence.

[Anubhav M]

Hello @resourceful_practice15A9,

I am sorry to hear about your experience. Would you mind sharing more details, like the OS/Illustrator version and a screenshot of the problem/error message, so I can look into this further?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Anubhav

[resourceful_practice15A9]

Hello, Anubhav M,

Thank you for answering me. Here are the screenshots you asked:

When I tried to save it to the cloud:

When I tried to save as ai and opened again:

Version of Illustrator:

[Anshul_Saini]

Thanks for sharing those details. Could you try saving the file as a PDF with the “Preserve Illustrator Editing Capabilities” option enabled and see if reopening it works?

If the issue persists, could you confirm whether the project contains many linked or embedded images? Also, let us know where you’re saving the file—on your internal hard drive, desktop, an external HDD, or a network drive. These details will help us better understand the problem and suggest a solution.

Best,
Anshul Saini

[resourceful_practice15A9]

There are no links or embedded images, I was saving on cerative cloud and later on on my internal hd and had issues with both. Unfortunately I won't be able to save as pdf as I lost all my work and had to find alternatives to complete it.

[Amy245290545d84]

I tried this: Try to turn OFF  Preferences > File Handling > Save in Background. BUT I still can't save AI files in illustrator. I can save EPS and PDF files. AI files saved fine last week but not this week. My programs and opperating system is up to date. Please help!

[Monika Gause]

I tried this: Try to turn OFF  Preferences > File Handling > Save in Background. BUT I still can't save AI files in illustrator. I can save EPS and PDF files. AI files saved fine last week but not this week. My programs and opperating system is up to date. Please help!

By @Amy245290545d84

Did you read the complete thread and tried everything that has been mentioned?

Which version and system is it?

Where are you saving files?

What happens instead of saving the file? Is there a warning?

[Amy245290545d84]

Hello, I have not tried uninstalling and reinstalling yet, but I will this weekend. I am running macOS Monterey Version 12.5.1, and I’m using Illustrator 2022. I am trying to save the files to my desktop. There is no warning. After I try to save the AI file, Illustrator does not respond and it locks up. Every key command afterwards just gives me keyboard sounds. I have to force quit to get Illustrator to work again.

[Amy245290545d84]

Uninstalling and reinstalling worked! Thank you

[Alisa Värikäs]

Hello! I started having the same issue from yesterday (20.12.2022) and the solution suggested here didn't work. I'm in a hurry to do some urgent work.. Gonna try to instal previous version if it starts working again but if not - any advice? Any fileformat i try to save isnt working, the save button isnt available and cant change folders.

Im using MacBook Pro (14-inch, 2021) with macOS Monterey 12.3 (Apple M1 Pro) and Illustration version 27.1.1.