InDesign won’t save files – says they’re damaged and shows “database error”

[Noki789]

Hi everyone,

Today on two different computers, both running the latest InDesign, I started getting this error every time I edit a file:

“InDesign is unable to save this file. We tried, but it appears to be damaged.”

Then, when I try to close the file, I get another message:

“Could not complete your request because of a database error. The file ‘InDesign Defaults’ is damaged (Error code: 1).”

I’ve tried uninstalling and reinstalling InDesign, resetting preferences, testing files saved locally, in the cloud, and on a USB stick, but nothing helps. I can open and save files as long as I don’t make any changes, but once I edit anything, the error appears.

Everything worked fine yesterday, and now both computers are affected. Is anyone else seeing this problem, or does anyone know how to fix it?

[Peter Spier]

First thing to try is export the file to .idml, open that and save as .indd with a new name.

Are these files stored on some sort of cloud service? If so, try turning off synching.

[Noki789]

Hi everyone,

Today on two different computers, both running the latest InDesign, I started getting this error every time I edit a file:

“InDesign is unable to save this file. We tried, but it appears to be damaged.”

Then, when I try to close the file, I get another message:

“Could not complete your request because of a database error. The file ‘InDesign Defaults’ is damaged (Error code: 1).”

I’ve tried uninstalling and reinstalling InDesign, resetting preferences, testing files saved locally, in the cloud, and on a USB stick, but nothing helps. I can open and save files as long as I don’t make any changes, but once I edit anything, the error appears.

Everything worked fine yesterday, and now both computers are affected. Is anyone else seeing this problem, or does anyone know how to fix it?

By @Noki789

Could this be caused by a recent Adobe update or a corrupted preferences file?

[leo.r]

Could this be caused by a recent Adobe update or a corrupted preferences file?

By @Noki789

First, did you try the suggestions posted by @Peter Spier?

Also, try these general troubleshooting steps:

https://www.rockymountaintraining.com/adobe-indesign-rebuilding-preferences-cache/

[sc92458557]

This is happening to me as well on multiple computers. 

I've tried everything listed here, I've installed and reinstalled and started from new documents and deleted prefs and BLAH BLAH BLAH.

What is going on?

[abuse removed by moderator]