Illustrator is unable to save this document < > due to some unexpected errors. Uninstalled, reinstalled version. Adobe Illustrator 2022 26.2.1

As of yesterday 9 Feb 2022 I can't save as .ai in Illustrator (version 26.0.3) unless I UNcheck "Create PDF Compatible File". I use custom PDF presets (a lot) so as advised I went to Mac: ~/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Adobe PDF/Settings
6. Move the presets identified in step 3 out of this folder. Restarted Illustrator. 1st file did save as .ai, then reverted to same problem for next file (1 minute later). NOTE in Illlustrator, Edit, PDF presets - 2 files show that have version 1.3 but they don't show in the setting folder so I can't remove them... [PDF/X-1a:2001] & [PDF/X-3:2002] Any idea where they live "spotlight" found similar in Indesign application folder but didn't help moving them. Screen grabs attached in a pdf

I just encountered this issue, and I'm not sure if this is helpful in anyone else's situation but my problem was a bad font in the file. Double-check that you don't have any random text on the outskirts of your document. Once I deleted the text that was causing the issue I then had no problem saving it!

No the bug wasn't fixed. I had to pry the net and find that "Uncheck "Save PDF Compatible Version"" was to save the day. Please take a note.

F'ing Adobe does it again. I repeatedly get 'An Unknown Error Occurred' on artwork that was previously saving up until an hour ago. This, after days of work and no problem, suddenly it just decides to stop! How now do I save the latest and most important iterations of my work??? F'ing Adobe!!!! So sick and tired of their software not working. Also, over the last month Adobe Fonts won't work. Certain fonts won't register as activated EVERY SINGLE TIME I open the artwork. I literally have to deactivate or signout of CC, then re-activate the font again - EVERY TIME, EVERY DAY. I have had three support calls about this - TOTAL waste of time, support are useless. £118 per month!!! AND they ditched us on Muse and Business Catalyst. Who is going to hold them accountable - we all put our livelihoods in their hands while they buy up and wipe out the competition. Rubbish f'ing company.

I can no longer save any .ai files... only .eps files. I need to be able to save both file extensions.
WHY has this issue not been fixed. I just updated to the new 25.2.1 version and that did not fix the problem nor did reverting back to the old versions. This JUST started a couple of days ago. NONE of the suggestions here have worked.

I can't save the catalog I've been working on all day. Why do I pay over $50 a month when it's losing me money. I have deadlines to meet. Are we supposed to keep working without saving until the bug is fixed?? Unchecking boxes in preferences did not help.

Here we are March 2021... brand new Mac. Loads of RAM. Brand new install of Illustrator. Save to PDF... "Unknown Error"!!!!
The rename Settings hack worked - however the new "Settings" folder I created is empty. Should this contain a new set of joboptions? Anyway, whatever... it worked.
Shame the 10 year old flickering cursor bug is still not fixed.

here is a temporary solution:
when we try to save *.ai files, it saves a file with the extension .tmp. I just changed the extension back to ai and it worked. At least, you can re-open these files and change them...

I´ve tried the step 4) and it worked. I followed this steps:

4)Please try the below mentioned workaround and let us know if that helps:

Steps:
i)Launch Illustrator
ii)Open preference by pressing “Cmd+K”
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 and let us know if that helps

Thanks for your help!

It was not working for me either. I have saved to cloud and that works, but I can not save as PDF or .ai.

I Exported and saved as PSD and then used photoshop to save the file, THAT WORKED.

I hope this helps someone while they figure out this issue. I have only had illustrator for a shot time and can't believe I can't save my work....

I read these comments, the following DO NOT work for me:
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 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 and let us know if that helps

I could not find this file on my computer:
If you do not use custom Adobe PDF presets/joboptions or not heard of it then follow the below steps
1. Navigate to user presets folder
Win: appdata\Adobe\Adobe PDF\Settings
Mac: ~/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Adobe PDF/Settings
2. Rename the folder to “Settings old” and create a new empty folder “Settings” in the same place
3. Launch Illustrator and check if you can save the document

I could not save as .EPS file either. I do not have PDF presets. I am on the latest version 2021 25.0.1 as of Dec 8, 2020.

Hi I use Illustrator CC 2020,

and I cannot save my work at all this afternoon and have no clue why.
It shows 'the error has occurred' I have tried every ways including Cmd+K and save in background but it doesn't work at all.

Please kindly suggest and fix it as soon as possible.

Thank you.

Is this still not fixed?!
I have tried everything as suggested above yet none worked for me...
My settings file is empty so I don't know how that would make the difference anyways.

I really need this to get fixed either today or tomorrow I have a deadline to meet this friday!

Please help my cc 2020 illustrator can't save my work

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 and let us know if that helps

That's what fixed it for me on Illustrator 2021. I was only able to save to the cloud before, whenever I tried to save to desktop I got the unknown error message.

Adobe Illustrator 24.2.3 and still seeing this issue. I can save it as an EPS, but it won't save back out as an AI or even a PDF file, no custom PDF Presets (never used any). It only started doing this within the past week or two and seemingly at random. Sometimes restarting will help, other times it doesn't seem to do anything.

it doesnt work

Please check if the name of the preset contains any special characters (as in characters with accents...). I had the same issue as described above, and by simply saving the preset to a name without accents (it was a name in French...), it worked just fine afterwards...

I'm new to the community. However, I did just encounter this problem while beginning to learn the program. What I found... (as I am a noob, please don't consider this a solution but rather something to be aware of..) is that when I tried saving in the (.ai) format... I received the "unknown error" message... but when I saved as an (.eps) file, it saved with no problem. Not sure if this has been said or not. But definitely something to look into.

*Update:
Seems as though, once I saved the (.eps) file and then saved that same file as an (.ai) file... it saved with no problem.

Same as the thousands of other comments... unwittingly "upgraded" to 24.3 and now have a completely non-functional product. I can't believe I am reading back through over 12 months worth of the SAME &*(&)*)*! COMPLAINT. with no resolution I second the comment below "At this point, I'm paying you to cost me money." This is absolutely ridiculous.