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.

[mt_mind_99]

This worked for me.  Thank you

[TCG-CLT]

So I am fairly experienced in Adobe CC and have worked with Illustraotr everyday for the last 4 years. I recently strated a map of Wilmington NC that measures 60"x48".  I had to start over becuase I needed to zoom the map in more.  Upon starting over the file size nearly quadrupled from the prior iteration (this shouldnt have been the case, because by zooming into the map, the number of labels and paths was cut in half. Since attempting to export this new iteration I have been unable and receive the following error message each time: "The operation cannot complete because of an unknown error. [!now]".

Originally I had both iterations of this file saved on an external drive connected to my Desktop PC running Windows 10

The (oversized) file came in around 1.78 GB, but by removing the basemap imagery and linking that image I got the file size down to 870 MB.  The Final export would measure 5'x4' (60"x48").

I did manage to remedy my issue however by doing a Save As onto my desktop (included linked images) and exported the new file.  This did not result in an error message.  I wonder if my exported image's file path was too many characters in length...that is te only time I've had such out-of-nowhere export errors. FYI the file path of the file that would not export is: D:\HUCKS MAP STUDIOS\200331_Wilmington NC_Residential Map Poster_Brooks\Exports\60x48 v2.0 (Zoom)\Wilmington NC - Downtown Residential (60x48)-ZOOM v2.0 - Renderings\200401_Wilmington NC - Downtown Residential (60x48)-ZOOM v2.2 - Map Rendering [Converted].ai

Would love to hear anyone's insight.into why the error might have occured.  Thanks

[TCG-CLT]

To test my theory about file path length, I re-saved the file from my Desktop back onto my external drive but into a subfolder that wasn't nested within 3 additional subfolders.  When I went to export this file, it exported successfully.

Thus, THIS PROBLEM IS SOLVED for my particular issue, and I'd recommend that anyone who has not had this issue resolved try a similar process for shortening the file path of the export image file.

[Manasi5DD1]

Thanks.. It was the easiest solution which worked with me. 

[Einhorn0D4C]

"The operation cannot complete because of an unknown error. (Cant)"

The problem is caused by some files in the directories.

"c: \ Program Files \ Common Files \ Adobe \ UXP \"

In Windows 10 (X64)

Rename to "c: \ Program Files \ Common Files \ Adobe \ 00UXP \"

(In this way they are not erased and you can return to them, for if other programs fail)

It contains the routines for the start screen and new documents of the different Abobe programs.

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/kb/troubleshoot-home-screen-issues.html

luck!!! 😉 🙂

[jc5E1F]

is this is solved? its such a pain in the ass for having this issue. I have the same problem and still cant figure it out

[anita5E88]

Hi
I had the same problem as this one, and the problem I experienced was that the canvas resolution was too big.
At that time I wrongly set the canvas size which was originally 1920 cm x 1080 cm, then a warning symbol appeared next to the "create" button (this symbol appears, because the canvas size is too large so some functions will be interrupted later). After I changed the unit to pixels the software worked as usual moment.

I hope this helps 😄

[peace2000]

After some experimentation, Adobe chat support encouraged me to avoid creating a text box the size of the artboard. Instead, I should use a text box the same size as the text. The dimensions of the art were large, at 7632x6480px. The art was simple - just the word 'Test' in a large font size. On the exact same art/file, the error occurred when saving to .png at 300PPI but it did not occur at 72PPI.

In sum, the two solutions were:
1. Keep text in a small text box. OR
2. Keep the resolution to 72PPI.

I asked support to pass these findings to devs for consideration as it was possibly poor UX for it to be this fussy, and also to pass on that the error provides insufficient information. They refused, saying the app is fine and these two workarounds had been provided. 

Win10 64-bit, AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT, 32GB RAM, SSD scratch disc.

[default5b3h1xemcnsv]

Hi i came along this thread as i was having the same issue myself.

I had this particular error whilst trying to export a 5000px vector into .png.

The fix i found was rasterizing the image first before exporting and no error message.

Hope this helps others.

J

[Garridy Hamilton]

Make sure the file isnt too big. I shrunk mine and it exported.

[leoleoleoleoleoleomak · Accepted solution]

Just updated my graphic card driver and problem solved, 

you should try it too, can't export PNG will annoy us forever.

Using Illustrator on Win 10, nvidia card.

[Carl D. Hopkins]

In response to this thread, I tried a simple solution:  saving the .png file to a different location, with a short file name -- this works !  suggesting that there may be a simple common problems with a very long file name which AI doesn't like.  

[st.anna · Accepted solution]

It's July 2023 and I just got the ...[now!] error. After futzing for quite a while I figured that in my case the issue was caused by patterns used as a fill in a complex compound path. Expanding all the patterns solved the problem.

[Sze Nga27826022j3vc]

Not in my case. Still poping up every action I do. Adobe needs to fix this ASAP!

[AP1015]

IDK if you've found the solution for yourself, but for me it's because I was trying to export PNG in CMYK. I had forgotten I was in CMYK so I switched to RGB and it worked fine. In Ps, ONG isn't even available to export in CMYK. Ai should do the same. But after reading through responses, it seems this error is due to an array of issues. It would also be helpful for Ai to designate specific errors for specific causes in the future. 

[Dzine Geek]

SIMPLE EASY SOLUTION:

I copy and pasted the graphic in a brand new file and downloaded as a PNG. No issues what so ever. I unlocked all layers that I wanted to copy and paste.

Sometimes my designs have so many layers and patterns in them that they become overwelmingly too big. I think Ai just can't handle the overload.

I hope this works for others. Happy Designing