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GazmendZ
GazmendZ
Participant
Aug 23, 2020 4:24 PM UTC
Answered

"The operation cannot complete because of an unknown error"

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. 

    kayleighr10333907
    kayleighr10333907Correct answer
    Participant
    Jun 17, 2025 7:29 AM UTC

    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

    View reply

    33 replies

    kayleighr10333907
    kayleighr10333907Correct answer
    Participant
    Jun 17, 2025 7:29 AM UTC

    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

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      Doanh36668223za8h
      Participant
      Apr 11, 2024 10:40 AM UTC

      The same happened to me
      uninstall and reinstall is ok

      Translate
      danilodango
      Participant
      May 18, 2022 5:52 PM UTC

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

      Translate
      Anshul_Saini
      Community Manager
      Anshul_SainiCommunity Manager
      Community Manager
      May 23, 2022 8:30 PM UTC

      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

      Translate
      defaulthpaolakc1gph
      Participant
      Oct 1, 2021 1:56 PM UTC

      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. 

      Translate
        Angelic_Smile5D2E
        Angelic_Smile5D2E
        Participant
        Nov 10, 2021 12:10 PM UTC

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

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        Duy Cuong5CD0
        Participant
        Nov 15, 2021 12:46 AM UTC

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

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          Bek Dunick
          Participant
          Jul 16, 2021 7:35 AM UTC

          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

          Translate
            jmsserrano
            Participant
            Aug 10, 2021 4:17 AM UTC

            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.  

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              DWC ATL
              Participating Frequently
              Sep 23, 2021 5:15 PM UTC

              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!!!!

               

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              ALOK5E81
              Participant
              Feb 1, 2021 1:45 PM UTC

              Thank you so much. your article help me. 

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                zooog0D4D
                Participant
                Dec 29, 2020 9:07 AM UTC

                your solution worked fine thank you i appreciate your help.

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                  major0D44
                  Participant
                  Dec 10, 2020 3:50 PM UTC

                  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.

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                  Bilal5ECC
                  Participant
                  Nov 12, 2020 9:08 AM UTC

                  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.

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                    Charu Rajput
                    Community Expert
                    Charu RajputCommunity Expert
                    Community Expert
                    Aug 23, 2020 7:08 PM UTC

                    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.

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                    Best regards
                      archamon
                      Participant
                      Aug 23, 2020 7:28 PM UTC

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

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