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1

Unable to save (Unexpected error) in Illustrator CC2020

New Here ,
Nov 13, 2019 Nov 13, 2019

Since I updated to Illustrator 2020 (v 24.0), I keep getting errors when trying to save my files. Almost every time I try to save, I receive the error "Illustrator is unable to save this document due to some unexpected errors". Once I hit "OK" and try to save again it's fine. Occassionally I get the pop-up that the file has been modified outside of Illustrator, which is hasn't been, but then I can save. Is this just an error due to the update? Will there be a fix?

 

{Renamed by MOD}

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Adobe
Community Expert ,
Nov 13, 2019 Nov 13, 2019

When you updated to 2020 did you use the option which pops up to import previous settings and preferences? If so try trashing your Illustrator preferences and see if a totally clean version of Illustrator works better.

To delete preferences:

The User Library folder in which Illustrator’s preferences are stored is hidden by default on most Macintoshes. To access it make sure that Illustrator is closed and click on the desktop to launch a Finder Window (Command-N).With this window in column view follow the path User>Home folder (it’s the folder with an icon that looks like a house—it may have the user’s name rather than “Home”) and click on the Home folder. With the Option Key pressed choose Library from the Finder Go Menu. “Library” will now appear within the Home folder. Within the Library folder find the folder called Preferences and within it find the folder called “Adobe Illustrator <Version #> Settings” (earlier versions of Illustrator might just say “Adobe Illustrator”) and the file called “com.adobe.Illustrator.plist” and delete both that folder and that file. When Illustrator is next launched it will create new preference files and the program will be restored to its defaults.

For Windows Users: You can try the quick way of resetting on a PC which is to hold down Ctrl + Alt + Shift when launching Illustrator and respond affirmatively when asked if you want to reset. There have been some recent reports that the window asking if you want to reset is not popping up but that the prefs are being reset anyway. If this works great but if it doesn’t you may have to manually delete them.

To do so: On Windows 7 and above the preference files are hidden. To find them go to the Control Panel and open Folder Options and then click the View tab. Then select “Show hidden files and folders” or “Show hidden files, folders or drive options” in Advanced Settings. Then delete (or rename) the folder at the end of this path: C:\Users\[User Name]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Adobe Illustrator [version number]\ Settings\<Language>. Make sure that Illustrator is closed when you do this. When you relaunch the program it will create new preference files and the program will be at its default settings.

The advantage of manually deleting preference files is that after you’ve reset up the program (make sure that no document window is open) to your liking, you can create copies of your personalized “mint” preference files (make sure that you quit the program before copying them—that finalizes your customization) and use them in the future to replace any corrupt versions you may need to delete.

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New Here ,
Apr 14, 2022 Apr 14, 2022

thank so much guy

 

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LEGEND ,
Nov 14, 2019 Nov 14, 2019

Hi there,

Sorry to hear about your experience.
This issue is caused due to one of the PDF preset using custom Flattener preset. Users who run into this issue can try the following and update us in the comment.

If you do not use custom Adobe PDF presets/joboptions or not heard of it then follow the below steps

  1. Navigate to user presets folder
    Win: %appdata%\Adobe\Adobe PDF\Settings
    Mac: ~/Library/Application Support/Adobe PDF/Settings
  2. Rename the folder to “Settings old” and create a new empty folder “Settings” in the same place
  3. Launch Illustrator and check if you can save the document

If you use custom Adobe PDF presets then follow below steps

  1. Go to Edit > Adobe PDF Presets
  2. Check PDF compatibility of PDF presets that are not default
  3. Make a note of presets that use PDF compatibility version 1.3
  4. Quit Illustrator
  5. Navigate to user presets folder
    Win: %appdata%\Adobe\Adobe PDF\Settings
    Mac: ~/Library/Application Support/Adobe PDF/Settings
  6. Move the presets identified in step 3 out of this folder
  7. Launch Illustrator and check if you can save the document

 

This issue is fixed in beta build and details are availabe here:
https://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/601447-illustrator-bugs/suggestions/38961718-v-24-generic-e...


Hope it helps.

 

Regards,

Ashutosh

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Engaged ,
Oct 01, 2020 Oct 01, 2020

It does appear that this was never fully fixed. Latest build, I trashed distiller presets, and I still can only save as if I unclick the PDF box.

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Community Beginner ,
Oct 21, 2020 Oct 21, 2020

+1 multiple users reporting same issue.

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Community Beginner ,
Oct 21, 2020 Oct 21, 2020

Hey @Ashutosh_Mishra 

 

I'm wondering if this could be caused by users turning off the "Append Converted" and saving AI files back to a legacy version? We're going to see if turning the feature back on and forcing users to save up to current AI format resolves.

 

Thanks

 

Kevin

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Community Beginner ,
Jan 10, 2020 Jan 10, 2020

Hello,

 

I'm having the same issue. I've been looking at so many forms on here and tried so many solutions and I'm still getting the error. I've started a ticket for this if you are still experiencing issues. 

 

https://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/601447-illustrator-bugs/suggestions/39408124-illustrator-v2...

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Explorer ,
Oct 07, 2024 Oct 07, 2024
  1. Well, it's now five years later and I'm having this same issue with Illustrator 2024. The bug has never been fixed. I have tried every solution on this thread, and none work. I have uninstalled and manually trashed everything Illustrator-related in the system library and reinstalled. The problem is still there. Adobe either refuses to fix the bug or doesn't know how to fix it. 
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Community Beginner ,
Oct 07, 2024 Oct 07, 2024

This is an odd problem. I still get it on occasion, too - with all the newer versions since this bug first appeared. Happened to me a few weeks ago, but a computer restart fixed it. Seems to be no rhyme or reason, but there seems to be a series of events that trigger it, I just always forget what they are, because it comes so unexpectedly and I'm busy trying to get work done.

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Adobe Employee ,
Oct 07, 2024 Oct 07, 2024

Hi @John24472726qybf 

 

We’re sorry to hear that you’re still experiencing this issue. Could you kindly share a few more details to help us assist you better?

 

  • What is your operating system and Illustrator version?
  • When did this issue start? Have there been any recent system or app updates? Any new antivirus software installed?
  • Where are you saving your file (network drive, shared location, or local hard drive)?
  • Is the issue specific to a particular file or occurring with multiple files?

 

We’re here to help, just need a bit more info!

 

Regards,

Srishti

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Explorer ,
Oct 07, 2024 Oct 07, 2024

I've never had this issue until updating to Illustrator 2024, which I waited to do to give time for bugs to get worked out. However, it looks like other people have had the same error on other versions going back to 2019. I'm running Illustrator 28.7.1 on a 2019 MacBook Pro 8-core i9 running MacOS Sequoia 15.0.1.

 

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Adobe Employee ,
Oct 07, 2024 Oct 07, 2024

Thank you for sharing this information. Could you also confirm, where are you saving the files (network drive, shared location, or local hard drive)? Also, if the issue specific to a particular file or occurring with multiple files?

 

Reagrds!

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Explorer ,
Oct 07, 2024 Oct 07, 2024

I'm saving to the local hard drive. All files linked to the Illustrator document also exist on the local hard drive. It is not happening with all files, but it is happening with multiple different files. 

 

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Explorer ,
Oct 07, 2024 Oct 07, 2024

I also selected and deleted any stray points within the file, and I tried a version with all fonts converted to outlines to eliminate any font issues. I made sure linked image files and the Illustrator document all using the same color profiles. Also, these are files that were built months ago using Illustrator 2023. The save error issue came after switching to Illustrator 2024 (Illustrator 2023 was uninstalled at the time, and any Illustrator 2023 files I found in the Library/Preferences, Caches and Application Support folders were also manually deleted after this issue started happening). 

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Adobe Employee ,
Oct 07, 2024 Oct 07, 2024

HI @John24472726qybf,

We are sorry for this. We have tried but couldn't replicate the issue, as it happens randomly with random files. Would you mind sharing the details asked by Ankit on this UserVoice here? Also, could you try saving the Illustrator file as a PDF with "Illustrator editing capabilities" checked? After that, rename the PDF file extension to .AI and check if it opens and saves without the error. This workaround might help resolve the save issue you’re encountering with Illustrator 2024. Let us know if it helps!

 

Best,

Anshul Saini

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New Here ,
Mar 27, 2025 Mar 27, 2025

I'm facing the same problem here. While trying to save the file in my computer, I get the pop up "Illustrator is unable to save this document due to some unexpected errors". But if I close the file and click save, it saves. I'm having this problem with Adobe Illustrator 2025 Beta

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Community Expert ,
Mar 27, 2025 Mar 27, 2025
LATEST

When working with a beta, anything might happen.

Post it into the beta forum or on uservoice so the engineers will find your message and can fix it.

 

Apart from that: save on the desktop.

Turn off "Save in background " in the Illustrator preferences.

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