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Can't Save Any Illustrator File with New 2020 Update

Forum|Forum|6 years ago
November 9, 2019
10 replies
85060 views

Hello. I just updated Illustrator to the newest version and now I can't save any file. When I go to Save and hit the OK button in the Illustrator Options box, I get an error that says "An Unknown Error Has Occurred". This happens with all files, new and existing. I need this for my job so this is a very urgent problem if no file can be saved. Is this a bug in the new update? PLEASE HELP before I have to work on Monday!!

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Correct answer default70cvui9ffqrq

My error said "Unable to find file"

This worked for me:

1. Save as

2. Save Cloud Document

3. Name your file and save in cloud

4. Save as

5. Now you should be able to save local on your computer

C

cameronwerth

Participant

If you're using windows, windows security can also block you from being able to save anything from any particular app, such as Illustrator, Photoshop, etc.

I - To fix this go into your computer setting panel.

II - Go to "Virus & Threat protection".

III - Select "Manage settings" under the Virus & threat protection setting tab.
IV - Scroll down till you see "Controlled folder access" and select "Manage Controlled folder access".

V - A) Turn off "controlled folder access" or

B) Select "Allow an app through controlled folder access" and then select "Add an allowed app" to select the app (Illustrator, Photoshop, etc.)

VI - And now hopefully you should be able to save your project!

Hope this helps someone!

T

TPDG

Participant

i am working on a macbook pro (monteray and illustator 22) with external monitor. once i unplugged my external monitor i was able to see save dialog box and was able to save again. After plugging in my monitor i was unable to save again.

Monika Gause

Community Expert

Monterey has several severe issues.

There are issues with USB hubs and there are memory leaks.

D

default70cvui9ffqrqCorrect answer

Participant

My error said "Unable to find file"

This worked for me:

1. Save as

2. Save Cloud Document

3. Name your file and save in cloud

4. Save as

5. Now you should be able to save local on your computer

R

Rasmus5C73

Participant

This worked for me - thanks!

C

cameronwerth

Participant

I followed these steps and it fixed the file save error. The main issue for me was the "(Beta) optimize File Open" unchecked that and I was able to save again.

Steps:
i)Launch Illustrator
ii)Open preference in the "Edit" tab
iii)Go to “File Handling & Clipboard”
iv)Uncheck "Optimize file Open and Save Time on Slow Network (Beta) "
v)Click ok
vi)Try to save file and let us know if that helps
If it is still reproducible
i)Open preference by pressing “Cmd+K”
ii)Go to “File Handling & Clipboard”
uncheck “Save in background”
iii)Click ok
iv)Try to save file

D

defaultjyvi6xmp2g1c

Participant

Same thing is happening to me. None of these fixes are working for me.

J

jorisb98158319

Participant

Same happend to me yesterday, I maneged to save it on the adobe cloud, but I much rather have it on my computer. Tried all the fixes but none are working. I'm using the 25.2.1 version of Adobe Ai and MacOs Big Sur.

M

Maynard5DC5

Participant

I had exactly the same issue and was fixed easily.

Go to Document Setup > Edit Artbord. Don't make any changes and click out of it. And try saving.

mblabels.com.au

V

VisualSignals

Participant

Solution: Close Illustrator and reopen it without opening an old file. Then create a new blank file, that's it. Now you should be able to Save As... with any file you open.

sonofmrsnak

Inspiring

The didn't work all the time for me. The deleting of Distiller presets (made under Mojave) worked for me permanently. I just had to rebuild my preset library after.

G

Gunkel

Participant

Unchecking "Create PDF compatible file" under the "Illustrator Options" pop up when saving worked for me.

sonofmrsnak

Inspiring

Same for me. In fact, after unchecking and saving, you can then do another save-as with it checked again and it will work.

CMCorsetti

Participant

I was unable to delete my pdf presets. The option was greyed out. Any other suggestions would be appreciated, all other work around's did not work. Thank you.

Monika Gause

Community Expert

"I was unable to delete my pdf presets. The option was greyed out. Any other suggestions would be appreciated, all other work around's did not work. Thank you."

Please tell us your system, the exact version number and the exact nature of the issue.

CMCorsetti

Participant

I have macOS Catalina, version 10.15.5. In Illustrator, I am unable to save-as, go to the home page and get a new document by going to file-new. Also, some files open without being able to see the file. I can see the layers but not the image I am working on.

I've gone over some of the suggestions and work arounds on the forum, but none have worked for me so far.

Thank you for your response!

Carla

C

CyreneD

Participating Frequently

I did a couple things to work around:

Change default printer from my network printer to a PDF printer (Adobe or Foxit in my case)
Save As -> in dialog box: Uncheck "Save PDF Compatible Version"

I was getting a problem where it would start the save process, but stall half way, or (super annoying) 97%.

I was able to save some files in PDF format and keep editing abilities - so at least I could preserve my work. But I needed AI file type (for use in AE).

I'm running the update with the supposed patch. Patch seems incomplete!

Monika Gause

Community Expert

Did you reset the preferences when updating? (Rename the preferences folder in order to try if it helps) https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/using/setting-preferences.html

Can you try if this helps: https://community.adobe.com/t5/illustrator/illustrator-2020-not-saving-files-in-ai-format/td-p/10713826/page/3 (it's the manual fix for before the 24.0.1 update was published)

C

CyreneD

Participating Frequently

I did, and it resolved a majority of issues. But I have a file or two that are still giving me - Illustrator is Unable to Save this document due to some unexpected errors.