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davidw36611175
Participant
December 29, 2017
Answered

Can't open PNG in Photoshop

  • December 29, 2017
  • 7 replies
  • 69281 views

I updated my Photoshop file from the Adobe CC to the latest version, which is version 19.0.1. Anyways, now whenever I try to open a PNG file to edit in Photoshop or place both an embeded and linked image in a Photoshop file, I get an error message that pops up and says that it cannot open it, saying that it's not a PNG file. I checked the properties to the image I want to edit, it is a PNG. I can manage to save out as a PNG file, I just can't open or place an image. I'm not sure if it is a server error because I did save it online and the image I am sharing is a screenshot I took and it is originally a PNG file, or maybe it is a glitch with Mac users because my operating system is Windows 10.

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer

This worked for me too. I optimise all PNGs using TinyPNG. My images went all messed up until I unchecked as instructed. Do you know exactly why this problem is occurring? Another update that causes problems!!!!!! When will Adobe test properly  before releasing updates???


The issue has been fixed in the latest update

More info

Fixed issues in Adobe Photoshop CC

7 replies

Participant
April 13, 2022

Too late but might help. I tried the GBU trick on both 2018 and 2020 versions but didn't work for me.

Solution

Use an online PNG tool even if file size 5 MB plus, I used onlinepngtools to upload and save the file on the fly but unfortunately one by one!

 

 

Known Participant
February 26, 2018

Same problem with "rainbow" or wrong colors. Can open png in Preview or PSD 2017 and resave, still opens wromg in PSD 2018. Saving as jpg will read correctly.

gener7
Community Expert
Community Expert
February 26, 2018

Many times it's the problem of having two GPUs on automatic switching with Photoshop getting the low performance energy saving one over the  high performance GPU.

If that's what you have on your Mac, go into Energy Saveing Preferences, uncheck that function and reboot.

Participant
February 26, 2018

Gener7,

Thanks for your response!  I only have one GPU at the moment and am

checking with my Mac guys about a possible upgrade.

Regards,

Steve

Participant
February 20, 2018

I think I solved this, at least the problem I was having.  So i was having this issue on two different PC I just got at work.  We mostly use Macs, but I asked to go with a PC.  Anyway, I kept getting the "not a png file" error message.  I tried many many solutions, that got into the weeds pretty quick.  Adobe's line on this was that it either had the wrong file extension, or the file is corrupted.  They were actually right.  The file has most likely been corrupted, however not in a way that makes it completely useless, only mostly useless to photopshop.  The files became corrupted when they were sent over skype.  I would guess that many messenger type services that people transfer small files with, like Skype, have a similar effect on images.  Sometimes its scaling, or other problems that corrupt the file.  Try this, if someone is sending you the file... Skype, email etc... have them send you the .png file directly.  It wont open.  Then have them send it after it has been put in a .zip file.  Unzip and try it out, if it opens, the method they sent the file is the problem, and use .zip from now on .  Hope that helps

JJMack
Community Expert
Community Expert
February 8, 2018

In an other thread a mac user stated they resolved their by editing  their Photoshop Preferences Plug-in section  uncheck Allow extensions to connect to the Internet and unchecked Load Extension Panels.    

JJMack
SkyDiary
Participating Frequently
February 8, 2018

I just reinstalled Photoshop and told it not to save the preferences this time. I rebooted. Now the PNGs are coming in fine.

Thanks,

Chris

amiees4242799
Participant
February 6, 2018

HELP!  My business logos are all transparent png files and I can't get them to show up properly in Photoshop anymore.
They have the correct extension, and I can open them in Preview on my iMac with no problems. These are the same files I've been using for years.  When I open these png files in Photoshop now, I don't get an error, but the logo shows up as blocks/lines of color.
Doesn't matter if I open them on their own, or drag them on top of another open image.

png file of logo in Preview:

same png file alone in Photoshop:

green box is the same png file dropped over another photo in Photoshop:

JJMack
Community Expert
Community Expert
February 6, 2018

In all version of Photoshop or just CC 2018 19.1?   The png posted above I could not open in any version of Photoshop but I could open it in Windows Photo and Paint and Save a png I could open in Photoshop.  So do you have a file problem of a CC 2018 19.1 problem. If you do not have other version of Photoshop post one of your png files here.  You may have a Device driver problem try editing your Photoshop Preference Performance section and uncheck Use Graphic Processor. If that works check with apple see if they have a newer driver for you mac...

JJMack
amiees4242799
Participant
February 6, 2018

Hi! I'm just using CC 2018 19.1.0 on my brand new iMac.  I don't think I've tried to open any png files in PS since I got this new iMac a couple weeks ago, honestly.  Thanks for the advice!
Here's an upload directly from the original file. The one above was an iMac screen shot (which is also a png) to show that the png logo file opens correctly in Preview.

JJMack
Community Expert
Community Expert
December 29, 2017

Will your web browser display the png you can not open in Photoshop?

JJMack
davidw36611175
Participant
December 29, 2017

Yes the web browser can view the image, as well as opening it up in the photos app.

JJMack
Community Expert
Community Expert
December 29, 2017

Post the png in here we should the be able to see it and download it to our machine. I will test it on my windows 10 system.  I have CS6, CC 2014 and CC 2018 installed.

JJMack
marliton
Community Expert
Community Expert
December 29, 2017

Hi. Has the file the correct extension (.png)? Sometimes that is a problem in Windows with Mac files. Have you tried to open other png files? Also, Have you tried to place that file in other apps like InDesign or Illustrator?

Marlon Ceballos
davidw36611175
Participant
December 29, 2017

I have tried to open it in Illustrator and it still would not work, so it might be an issue with the extensions. I actually meant to say PC instead of Mac.