Trying to save a new file I have been working on, and get "Cannot find file" when I save.

[wcn_dave]

I am unable to save something I have been working on, due to the very odd message of "cannot find file".

Not sure what file it would need to find, when I am trying to save a new file, but upshot is I cannot exit illustator witthout losing all my work.

The results I found were all from at least 3 years ago and were not solutions (save as PDF first, change colour mode first etc)

Any ideas, this is pretty bad that you can't save your work...

[creative explorer]

@wcn_dave sorry to hear that you are having. I can only imagine all this work and then you can't save. Honestly, I would be pullin my hair out or swearing at my screen! So, you have already tried 'save as PDF first, change colour mode first etc' but no avail!

How are you saving your files? To the Cloud or Computer?

First, of all, can you 'Select All' and 'Copy' and then it create a new document and paste it in. Re-name this file with NO spaces (only hyphens and underscores) and also avoid using special characters like slashes, backslashes, colons, or question marks in the file name. And try saving (Save As) to your computer as either AI, EPS or SVG? 

What version of Adobe Illustrator are you using? If it's 2023 or 2024 that should be fine. Don't bother using the Illustrator Beta. Sometimes updates often include bug fixes and improvements. Try to use the latest version of Illustrator if possible. 

Try that first....Normally I would say reset your preferences, but since we want to try and save your files versus losin all your work....do what ever you can. 

if that still fails....try 'Exporting' your file as a 'SVG'

Hopefully one of these works for you!

[Monika Gause]

If you are saving as SVG, it is crucial to go into the options and turn on "Preserve Illustrator editability". Otherwise a lot of things might be expanded and later on no longer editable.

[wcn_dave]

I am doing save as illustrator file.

I tried doing export - no luck

tried copy to new file and save - same thing

I started recording a video of what was happening to show you, and the save as suddenly worked.

I don't know why, but the adobe software is pretty flakey like this, across all products... very frustrating!

Thanks anyway.

[Monika Gause]

Where are you saving files?

This sounds like a typical issue with saving to a network

[wcn_dave]

No, the first thing I would try in that case would be to save local, or to default location.

In this case it was just "my documents"

[Lukas Engqvist]

What operating system are you working on. Operating systems are getting more and more overprotective, sp it is important to allow your software to have file access.

You may get warnings saying "Illustrator needs to have access to files on… " and if you say no you have opted out of saving your work. If your "document folder" is synchronised using iClour or OneDrive (or similar) then there may be additional restrictions in file naming that may limit ability to save files in ways that have been no brainer in times bygone.

[wcn_dave]

Nope, no one drive, just my documents on windows, where I always save everything I am working on.

As I say, "save as" suddenly worked, so fine for now, will restart and see what happens tomorrow

[creative explorer]

@wcn_dave hoorah....maybe the Illustrator gods heard you...

[wcn_dave]

This issue has come back, cannot save work again.... very frustating...

[Anubhav M]

Hello @wcn_dave,

Would you mind confirming the version of the OS/Illustrator, whether Illustrator behaves this way with all files or in all folder locations so I can better assist you?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Anubhav

[wcn_dave]

This is still happening, and I am losing work all the time due to this infuriating bug.

In AI, under info, it says I am using 29.3

In Creative Cloud Desktop, it shows I am using 29.4

I am working on a file, saved on local C drive in my documents.

I save all the time, and then suddenly, won't save due to the error.

Then I cannot save or export in any way, and basically have to close and lose the work I had done.

[Monika Gause]

When Save doesn't work, does "Save as" work?

[wcn_dave]

No, save as also doesn't work, in any format, or copying to a new file and then saving.

[Anubhav M]

Hello @wcn_dave,

Would you mind trying to run Illustrator under a different administrator account (Windows / macOS) and checking if the problem persists?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Anubhav

[wcn_dave]

I only have one administrator account which I am using. (windows 10)

Also, the problem only occurs once or twice a day.

Each time may cost an hour, however it also means I might have to use it for 6 or more hours to encounter the problem.

It has been reported by other users, so must be a known bug.

[Abhishek Rao]

Hi @wcn_dave,

I would recommend trying a reset of Illustrator’s preferences. You can follow the steps in this guide: https://adobe.ly/4jo5XU3. Just be sure to back up your current preferences first, so you don’t lose any custom settings.

If the problem still comes up after that, it might help to completely uninstall Illustrator using the Creative Cloud Cleaner Tool: https://adobe.ly/3GiBdFg and then reinstall a fresh copy.

Keep me posted on how it goes.

Abhishek

[wcn_dave]

This has been going on for over a year now, in which time I have completely re-installed my computer...

[Anubhav M]

Hello @wcn_dave,

Could you share a small screen recording of your exact workflow when you get this error message, along with the version of the OS/Illustrator currently installed, so I can check this with the team?

Looking forward to hearing from you.
Anubhav