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GazmendZ
GazmendZ
New Participant
August 23, 2020
Answered

"The operation cannot complete because of an unknown error"

  • August 23, 2020
  • 13 replies
  • 104682 views

Hey everyone, after updating to the newest version of Illustrator, I can't work with it anymore. As soon as I click on it, it loads as usual, but then it shows me this "The operation cannot complete because of an unknown error" message. After I click "Okay", Illustrator opens, but it doesn't show anything besides the menu and I can't even open a new file or anything else, which means I can't use it anymore. Please help. 

    Correct answer kayleighr10333907

    Hi. I came across this same issue and had too many vectors to recreate. So I Expanded the vector. This fixed the issue relatively quickly without adding scrips or name changing etc.

     

    Go to Objects>Expand Appearance

     

    Hope this helps 🙂

    Good luck

    13 replies

    kayleighr10333907
    kayleighr10333907Correct answer
    New Participant
    June 17, 2025

    Hi. I came across this same issue and had too many vectors to recreate. So I Expanded the vector. This fixed the issue relatively quickly without adding scrips or name changing etc.

     

    Go to Objects>Expand Appearance

     

    Hope this helps 🙂

    Good luck

      D
      Doanh36668223za8h
      New Participant
      April 11, 2024

      The same happened to me
      uninstall and reinstall is ok

      D
      danilodango
      New Participant
      May 18, 2022

      I had the same problem. Just closed the program and opened it again.

      Anshul_Saini
      Community Manager
      Anshul_SainiCommunity Manager
      Community Manager
      May 23, 2022

      Hi @danilodango,

       

      We are sorry for the trouble. Would you mind sharing a few details like:

      • OS & version of Illustartor
      • Screenshot of the unknown error
      • Does it occur after performing a particular action in a specific file?

       

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

       

      Thanks & Regards,

      Anshul Saini

      D
      defaulthpaolakc1gph
      New Participant
      October 1, 2021

      I am trying to use this fix, but I don't have a UXP folder so I can't really follow the rest of the instructions. 

        Angelic_Smile5D2E
        Angelic_Smile5D2E
        New Participant
        November 10, 2021

        Me too I don't have the UXP folder and can't fix the issue

        D
        Duy Cuong5CD0
        New Participant
        November 15, 2021

        me too, i don't have the UXP folder.
        How to fix it?

          B
          Bek Dunick
          New Participant
          July 16, 2021

          Just for anyone else who still needs a solution - your canvas size might also be too large.
          If you can, make it as small as you can afford to.

          I tried all the suggestions here, then changed my canvas size and making it smaller fixed the issue for me

            J
            jmsserrano
            New Participant
            August 10, 2021

            Configuration: iMacPro (2017) running macOS Big Sur v11.5. Illustrator v. 25.3.1.

            I created an illustraton that I need to rotate/revolve as a group. The moment I hit either the Revolve or Rotate command, I get the error "The operation cannot complete because of an unknown error.[CANT]. I press OK and i get the 3D revolve spec window. With Preview clicked, the moment I try to change any properties, the error reemerges. My artboard is only about 15" x 12". Changing the size doesn't seem to do anything even if i make it 1 x 1.  

              D
              DWC ATL
              Participating Frequently
              September 23, 2021

              Error occurs when trying to do a variety of tasks. (example File > Export, etc.)

              All adobe apps have become so glitchy. Waste of time to 'upgrade' to the lasted software versions as those are the worst.

               

              ADOBE FIX YOUR SOFTWARE!!!!

               

              A
              ALOK5E81
              New Participant
              February 1, 2021

              Thank you so much. your article help me. 

                Z
                zooog0D4D
                New Participant
                December 29, 2020

                your solution worked fine thank you i appreciate your help.

                  M
                  major0D44
                  New Participant
                  December 10, 2020

                  Hello i got the same problem. But i had to download Microsoft Visual C++ from 2008 to 2017, after that i restarted my computer and now it fully working.

                  B
                  Bilal5ECC
                  New Participant
                  November 12, 2020

                  Thank you for your advice, I tried many ways, including re-install software about 4 times and finally your solution worked for me. Thank you again.

                    Charu Rajput
                    Community Expert
                    Charu RajputCommunity Expert
                    Community Expert
                    August 23, 2020

                    Hi,
                    I was also facing the same problem, but it was fixed by renaming the folder. Please follow following steps

                     

                    Go to following locations and rename "extentions" to "extensions_old"
                    Windows:  Program files /common files /Adobe /UXP /extensions
                    MAC: /library > application support > Adobe > UXP > extensions.

                     

                    I hope this works for you as well.

                    Best regards
                      A
                      archamon
                      New Participant
                      August 23, 2020

                      Yes it works, thank you so much for your help.

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