The operation cannot complete because of an unknown error. [!now]

[skey000]

I'm new to illustrator and am trying to export a png but illustrator keeps coming back with this error.

The operation cannot complete because of an unknown error. [!now]

What could be the cause? I have tried different solutions I have seen for other problems such as deleting hidden layers but nothing seems to be working.

I am running illustrator CC on a windows 10 computer. (Not sure if that helps.)

Thanks.

[Monika Gause · Accepted solution]

As already stated in that other thread:

Where do you save the file?

Which system, which version?

How large is the file?

How large will the exported file be? Does it work when you export a smaller file (pixel dimensions, lower resolution)?

[Ahmeed]

i get the same error just when i attemp to export a large file or great resolution but it does work with smaller files and lower resolution (i'm runing illustrator on windows 8.1)

[Srishti Bali]

Hi skey,

Please update the discussion if the issue is resolved or if you have any further query.

Regards

Srishti

[nathanl39995532]

I keep having this issue when I open and close random files. All files I open and close are in PDF format. It completes the opening and/or closing of the file but still throws up this error--

"The operation cannot complete because of an unknown error. [x!fd]"

It's rather irritating because I am dealing with hundreds of files throughout the day (not all at once).

Files are also fairly small in size (under 1MB).

Working on Mac Pro.    OS High Sierra 10.13.1     Illustrator CC 20.0.1

[Monika Gause]

nathanl39995532  schrieb

Working on Mac Pro.    OS High Sierra 10.13.1     Illustrator CC 20.0.1

That version of Illustrator is not compatible with High Sierra. You need to update.

[nathanl39995532]

But that is the latest update available for Illustrator? Are you saying I should downgrade Illustrator?

[Monika Gause]

The latest is 22.0.1

[nathanl39995532]

Oops that was a typo on my part to begin with. I am currently on 22.0.1

[Monika Gause]

Please contact support:

Contact Customer Care

[Depone00]

I am having the same issue. I am on Windows running the latest version. I just downloaded the Adobe program last week. I opened the same file 30 minutes ago and it was able to export fine. All of a sudden I am getting this error.

[Monika Gause]

Depone00  schrieb

I am having the same issue. I am on Windows running the latest version. I just downloaded the Adobe program last week. I opened the same file 30 minutes ago and it was able to export fine. All of a sudden I am getting this error.

Exactly where are you saving?

Exatly what are you saving?

Is a printer installed?

What's in the file?

Do you use font management?

[Farish]

I am having this same problem as well. I do not see an actual answer on what is happening, or what I can do to fix this problem.

[Monika Gause]

Please contact support via the link in this thread.

[Depone00]

Why would you mark this as the answer? You have answered nothing.

[Christopher Liam Ivey]

I'm experiencing the same issue in 2019.  What gives?  The error message is useless.

[Monika Gause]

https://forums.adobe.com/people/Christopher+Liam+Ivey  schrieb

I'm experiencing the same issue in 2019.  What gives?  The error message is useless.

Which issue?

Opening files?

Exporting a PNG?

Which system is it?

Where are the files located?

Is a printer connected?

Please create a new thread.

[Christopher Liam Ivey]

Here are my responses to your questions:

Issue: The operation cannot complete because of an unknown error. [!now] appears when attempting to export art to a .png.

It may be because the of the desired output dimensions, but I have no way of knowing because of the ridiculous error message.  This is on the latest build of Illustrator, on Windows 7.

In this case I ran down the issue to canvas size by trying different file formats.  Just commenting on the fact that the message is still not useful.

[Monika Gause]

Please report feature requests to http://illustrator.uservoice.com

The forum is 95% not Adobe staff trying to help you with your problems. We can't change Illustrator.

[Michał Korzeniewski]

Guys, I think I have a solution for you, maybe it will help. I had exactly the same problem, "The operation cannot complete because of an unknown error. [!now]" while exporting files to png. Only you have to do is:

1. Turn off GPU acceleration (in settings>performance)

2. Close Illustrator

3. Open Illustrator, turn on GPU acceleration

I think that this error might be caused by some troubles between gpu and illustrator while rendering or something.

[omargh]

this worked for me. thanks

[Yainus]

That didn't work for me, so not bullet proof

[Monika Gause]

Issues with GPU acceleration are always individual to specific system and hardware setups.

[philipo70115596]

Hello

I was having the same issue- noticed, in my case, was related to the chosen resolution- I was trying to export in high resolution, when I downgraded to medium reso, it worked in both png an jpeg format

[eleanorc14944101 · Accepted solution]

Hi,

I know this is an old thread, and I don't have an answer as to why this is happening, BUT - this kept happening to me, too, and the workaround I used was to save out the illustrator file as a print-quality PDF, and then open that in Photoshop and save as a PNG. 

I hope this helps anyone else having this issue, because Adobe seems to be no help whatsoever.