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AI displays the START SCREEN on opening the file and the document view do not switches (refreshes) the file content.

v 22.1

When trying to open an existing file while Illustrator is closed, the software will lag and then hang on the opening screen. The file appears to be opened in the background, but there's no way to access or see it. The opening screen will give options to open additional files or create a new one (as usual) but when trying to do either, nothing will open and no New File Options menu will appear.

Everything will work normally only if I open Illustrator first and then the file.

This happens will every file I've tried, so this isn't an issue of corruption.

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Resolved (Comments Open)  ·  AdminAnkit Goyal(Illustrator Team) (Admin, Adobe Illustrator) responded  · 

Thank you all for reporting this issue and providing us your valuable feedback.

What we have found out so far is that this issue can happen in multiple workflows. For clear tracking, validation and closure. We will closing this thread for given below two scenarios which we believe are fixed now:

1)Double click any Ai file to launch Illustrator
2)Placing files in Illustrator via Bridge.

For two other scenarios that we know of that can cause this, we have created a separate thread :https://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/601447-illustrator-bugs/suggestions/39220189-ai-displays-the-start-screen-on-opening-the-file-a .If you are encountering the below mentioned issues with latest Version (24.0.1 on Mac and Win), then please vote on newly provided User voice thread and provide Test File via File→Package, Video and steps via dropping email at sharewithai@adobe.com along with this thread link so that we can identify and fix the root cause.

1. On opening a file in Illustrator the START SCREEN do not gets dismissed and the file’s content is not visible.
2. While working on a file and opening a new one the document view sticks to the old file and do not switches to the new file artwork.

Please remember to update graphic driver. We are also seeing cases where updating graphic card driver fixes the issue. You can update your driver via https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/kb/illustrator-gpu-performance-driver-update.html .

With Best Regards,
Ankit Goyal
Illustrator Team

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  • CB commented  ·   ·  Report

    I might have just found a workaround -- in Preferences, select "Use legacy "File New" interface". Seems to work normally now, after almost a year of grunting about it. It is insulting to have such a basic issue linger for this long, I also thought it was just me being stupid.

  • Anonymous commented  ·   ·  Report

    same here i hate adobe at this point in my life

  • Anonymous commented  ·   ·  Report

    same as well fix it adobe how stupid

  • Tony McEvoy commented  ·   ·  Report

    This behaviour when opening files should have been fixed by now, it's been going on for months.
    Allowed Illustrator to update a few days ago hoping this would have been fixed, but no it still won't open files
    correctly apart from within illustrator already running. Irritating as ****.

  • Riley commented  ·   ·  Report

    Me too. If I close illustrator and open it again — it works. So frustrating to be paying so much for licenses for my office and have staff mucking about trying to open files. We use Adobe to increase productivity.

  • Paweł commented  ·   ·  Report

    Same here. Win 7. AI 32.0.1 (64 bit)

  • CK commented  ·   ·  Report

    same here.

  • Michael Carrillo commented  ·   ·  Report

    What worked for me was hitting the Home icon then the Ai icon. I don't remember which is first but try it. Everything works for me now.

  • Anonymous commented  ·   ·  Report

    Try: Arrange/Float all in Windows. No bug fix from Adobe yet.

  • Anonymous commented  ·   ·  Report

    Is there a resolution to this issue – so frustrating that i can't open any .ai file

  • iCompute UK commented  ·   ·  Report

    Same here. I thought I was being stupid. It's driving me mad.

  • Charles commented  ·   ·  Report

    So, I am also getting this (see attached). As you can see, the file is clearly not open. I have not minimized it.

    As with my previous issues, I have to quit and reopen Illustrator. This happens randomly and several times already today.

    Lovely.

  • Scott Kim commented  ·   ·  Report

    When I open a document in Illustrator, Illustrator frequently fails to show me the document itself, instead showing me the generic Home screen instead (see attached). The doc is listed in the Windows menu, and I can see it by choosing Float in Windows, but this is terrible behavior, and I cannot find any solution or explanation online. I'm running Illustrator CC on an iMac (iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2017, 40G RAM, latest High Sierra operating system).

  • Glenston commented  ·   ·  Report

    I was having the same issue and I think this may help. From the top menu select Window > Arrange > Float All in Windows.

  • Michael Carrillo commented  ·   ·  Report

    Ok, I think I just posted this. The workaround for me is to click the Home Icon in the top left. That should minimize the left panel. Now click the Ai Back icon below it and you should be able to access your document.

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