Won't Open a JPG due to Program Error PSE 2021

[cardmaker64]

I am a long time Photoshop Elements user, currently using the free trial of the 2021 version which I planned to buy at the end of the trial but now I'm not so sure. I've got a set of jpgs I've created, and those under 3MB seem to open without issue, while larger ones (7 to 10MB) give me a 'won't open due to program error' message. These are just photos taken on my phone, and it's not a top of the range phone either. The files all open in gimp without any issue. I never had this issue with my previous version of PSE (10, I think) but I can't use that here because I can't disconnect the licence from my previous computer. Is this specific to the trial version or is there something else going on?

[Ann Bens]

Moved to Ps Elements forum.

[MichelBParis · Accepted solution]

Hi @cardmaker64 ,

Your issue looks a bit like a situation already reported here in different discussions. Some kinds of jpegs downloaded from Social media sites like WhatsApp don't open in Elements but open ok in other external editors. The error message is generally different. The reason is a non standard piece of metadata added to the jpeg by the site. It's ignored by simple editors and PSE does not open the file to protect you. The known solutions to this problem is to open and re-save the jpeg from the simple editor. That removes the non standard piece of metadata. Alternatively, opening the file from the menu File >> Open in camera raw is able to open those files.

So, to understand your problem, it's important to know how you have downloaded your jpegs. Since you can open them in Gimp, resave them and try to open in the PSE editor.

To disconnect your older computer from the license, use the menu Help >> sign out. If the old computer is not available, only a chat session with the online help will 'deactivate' the missing computer.

And, no, your issue is not specific to a trial version.

[cardmaker64]

The photos were taken on my phone, then transferred to my laptop via Amazon Photos.  The 'open in camera raw' option does indeed seem to work, as does resaving them via Gimp. Because of your suggestion, I've also tried transferring the photos via Google Photos instead of Amazon, and that seems to work too. So, it seems to be something Amazon Photos is adding to my shots that is causing the issue. Regardless, I have several work-arounds, so I'm happy. Thank you!