InDesign won't recognize PNG files, can't "Place"

[timothyl85839792]

I created a document about a month ago, a catalog, and placed PNG image files into image boxes for the layout. I opened the file back up today to do some edits and all the sudden InDesign tells me I have broken links. I investigate further to find that the images are located where they are supposed. I tried to "re-place" the png files into the boxes but InDesign doesn't recognize it and won't allow me to place it.

For reference, I also tried to open in PS but it doesn't recognize it either, so I'm sure it's a file issue.

Has anyone run across this and can you advise?

[Kristina5ECA]

I am having the same issue as well ever since I updated my software. My JPG and PNG files are being attached as text. See picture below:

This is definitely a Monterey update issue for Macs. How do we go about some help with this buggy issue?

[Ravenna24377174utwy]

Hi Kristina,

The sollution above from @gilesg93274171 did the trick for me. 

Try to go into

> system preferences

> security and privacy

> Full disc access

> unlock the padlock (click and password)

> In the right-hand window scroll down to InDesign and click it.

> Click out of preferences 

> Document should now accept png files.

Hopefully it works! 

[Test Screen Name]

 The second picture doesn't seem connected to the first. Looks like you have a serious problem, but a different one. Or more than one. Suggest you start a new topic, give full details please.

[Tina24376739fyfx]

I am having the same issues. I can over sudden not place png files. 

[gilesg93274171 · Accepted solution]

I had some support from a chap at adobe.

I'll try and remember what we did.

Go into

> system preferences

> security and privacy

> Full disc access

> unlock the padlock (click and password)

> In the right-hand window scroll down to InDesign and click it.

> I also did photoshop and illustrator

> Clcik out of preferences 

> Document should now accept png files.

This worked for me, please feedback if successful as this is problem for other users!

[Ravenna24377174utwy]

I don't know how to thank you but this helped!

All the problems I had were solved by doing this...

And i had quite a few:

- Storing files on my hard drive from Id, Ps and Ai.

- Not showing images correctly in indesign.

- Not be able to export pdf files 

You really are my angel! A big digital hug from a happy entrepreneur!

Many Thanks!

[Rebécka5E92]

I kind of love you! This worked for me, thank you!!!

[Ravenna24377174utwy]

Just got this amazing reply from @gilesg93274171 

And it worked for me. See steps below. 

Go into

> system preferences

> security and privacy

> Full disc access

> unlock the padlock (click and password)

> In the right-hand window scroll down to InDesign and click it.

> I also did photoshop and illustrator

> Clcik out of preferences 

> Document should now accept png files.

This worked for me, please feedback if successful as this is problem for other users!

Hopefully it works for you too.  

[Jenz882]

Is there a Windows Fix to the "can't place PNG" bug?

I'm on Windows 10 - InDesign 17.2.1

[gilesg93274171]

Sorry I’m not familiar with windows. Best bet would be to chat with an
adobe rep. They may say that this is a corrupt file issue.

I was lucky that one of their eps called me back and sorted this.

Very frustrating and definitely an issue with adobe cs.

Shame we can’t claim the lost time and therefore money back!
--
*Warm regards*

(PII removed by moderator)

[Ravenna24377174utwy]

I read more about the problem that I have myself here. All images are not visible, see screenshot. Also from older indesign files I've ever made. Anyone already found a solution?

[Geоrge]

PNG is an old evil for InDesign. Time to time InDesign don't like some PNG, this is long years history with it. Re-save as psd and re-link can help. 

[Ravenna24377174utwy]

Hi George, 

Thanks for your comment. The whole problem was just solved by the above response from @gilesg93274171 

Greetings Ravenna

[Dorothy24802122k518]

Thank you, this is very helpful and worked. I found the same issue was with all PNG, AI, and PDF linked files, which never caused problems before. The JPGs and PSDs needed relinked individually, even with the 'Search for Missing Links in This Folder' checked. Is that also a known issue?

[fionar50111072]

Thank you so much to gilesg3274171 - this solution worked for me too. 

[gilesg93274171]

Great happy to help! I never thought I'd be a tech guru! Probably about time that the nice people at Adobe sorted this out and released an update!

[Weekender]

Having the same issue.

OS - Windows 10 Pro

Seems to activate once I select "High Quality" in "Display Performance"

InDesign Version that works without issue 16.4.2 x64

InDesign Version that throws "Cannot place this file. Invalid PNG file." error is 17.3 x64

Seems the issue (bug) was introduced when moving to version 17 - is there a fix?

At this time I continue to use the older more stable 16.4.2 x64 but would like to take advantage of new features and other bug fixed.

[gilesg93274171]

Sorry I have very limited knowledge about Windows. My solution was Mac-based. 

[Weekender]

Giles, posting this for "others" who posted about about the same issue on Windows - Thanks!!

Tag as "WINDOWS".

Here is a link to a video of what I an seeing between v16 vs v17. 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Oy4yUUGRONntSsBmeRRmomJGMVxUjw6p/view?usp=sharing

[Laubender]

Hi all with InDesign 17.3.0 on Windows who see the error:

"Cannot Place File. Invalid PNG file"

This error could be explained if the PNGs were saved with Fireworks.

For details see the following discussion:

The "Cannot Place File. Invalid PNG file" bug is BACK in the LATEST RELEASE OF INDESIGN 17.0!!!!!
defaultf946bguz7i0o, Oct 28, 2021

https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign-discussions/the-quot-cannot-place-file-invalid-png-file-quot...

Could also be that Fireworks is not the only cause for the issue.

The same PNGs that will not place with InDesign 17.3.0 can be placed with InDesign 16.4.2. without an error.

Some sample PNG files for testing can be found in this post by Pat @Weekender :

The "Cannot Place File. Invalid PNG file" bug is BACK in the LATEST RELEASE OF INDESIGN 17.0!!!!!
TidbitsofSoCo, Jul 12, 2022
https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign-discussions/the-quot-cannot-place-file-invalid-png-file-quot...

Regards,
Uwe Laubender
( Adobe Community Professional )

[Historic Richmond]

I hope this helps someone, I tried everything- finally found that by adjusting my preflight profile settings I could eliminate the error. So just uncheck everything then add in your preflight requirements one by one, you'll see what's erroring everything out when you check it.

[MakoArts]

Giles, you ROCK!  That worked like a champ!  It kept saying bad or missing PNG file and there weren't any - I converted them all the jpegs when this stuff started happening!  Allowing full disk access did the trick - thank you!  I have been working on this mess for nearly a whole day and was ready to give up.  

[gilesg93274171]

Your very welcome.

So frustrating and nothing has been done to fix this although so many are
losing time and money.

Adobe MAX this week perhaps they should address this issue!

Good luck G
--
*Best regards*

*Giles*

(PII removed by moderator)

[MakoArts]

Thanks again for reaching out! This is just a 22-page newsletter for a
watercolor society, but it still has to GO! Most of the time I swear by
InDesign, and the rest of the time I swear AT it!

Be well -

robin
--
*--*
*Robin Lee Makowski, **NWS, FWS, NMWS, WFWS*
MakoArts
Artist | Watercolors
Illustrator, Author, Instructor
rlmartist.com

[rob day]

Hi @MakoArts , Why use place web format images at all—there’s no advantage and a number of disadvantages. PSDs can be placed without flattening their layers, InDesign’s Layer Options can be used to turn Photoshop layers on or off, and there wouldn’t be a double compression on a PDF export, which will happen with placed JPEGs.