Same issue with Illustrator 27.6.1

@Christopher Pawlus, I'm sure you've done the usual steps when saving, such as turning off PDF compatibility and unchecking Use Compression. I have also found that sometimes it's the file. For the problem files I've gone into the linked docs and saved them smaller (less resolution, etc.) and that helps a tiny bit. But it's still happening now and again. What always gets me is when it's the smaller files that cause problems, not the ones that are 500mb.

Help me save my files more quickly and reliably, please!

New M1 MacBook Air / Mac Pro 2017 / +20 year illustrator Vet - super slow saving issues have impacted my work directly in Illustrator 2021. I spend hours a day working in Illustrator, and the most recent update appears to be inadequate in file management/file saving compared to previous versions. Please note that I have been using Illustrator for over 20 years, and I would like to escalate this performance issue or gain help in overcoming it.

I see save times upwards of 3-10 minutes on files that previously would have been under a minute. Combined with this slow save, actual file loss or files not saving fully is a connected symptom of this "save" issue. I have tried storing files on adobe cloud, dropbox, local documents and shutting off wifi/network connections. However, I still am not satisfied or able to improve save-time speed or file save reliability.

I have attached a screen capture of my file prefs, and I have combed through comment blogs with no satisfying solution I can apply with improved results. My file sizes are reasonably small, 200-500 MB. However, during saves, I have seen the progress bar sit there and barely move, which leads me to wonder .... what is the app doing, and why has this function become so laborious and time-consuming.

I am interested in all help or suggestions at this point. I feel odd having to write this comment about something as mundane and fundamental as saving files but please hear me out.

hot to fix this problem

Back again....
STILL having issues with saving a file in Illustrator v25.4.1.
It only is affecting AI. Go to save a file as AI. Get error that "it can't find file" or some other error tripe. Have to save as an EPS, then (most times) I can turn around and save the file as AI.
If still not saving, close program, re-open and now can save AI.

Another thing that is happening is when going to Print a file... settings are all out of whack. Try to correct them, have to close out the print window and re-open and some times it works.

Exactly how long does it take to fix a bug like this?

Still not completely fixed, and I'm using 24.5.1. For large complex files with multiple artboards, I have found that un-checking Create PDF compatible file when saving has been the most effective to speed things up, but I do need that capability in the end to place my illy file into anything else.

NOT SOLVED

Saving is now horribly slow with complex illustrations (detailed maps can make it grind to a halt, possibly something to do with art brush complexity), and has been this way for the last two updates. Previously there were no significant problems with save speeds.

I've the latest Illustrator (25.4.1), OS 11.5.2. MacBook Pro mid-2014, 2.8GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7, 16Gb RAM.

I tend to leave my Illustrator window open (day/night).... what I have run into is when saving a file as AI, I will occasionally get a "File not Found" error or something equally strange. I used to end up having do ditch the file setup and/or changes made, close the program and re-open in order to get the file to save.

However, I have recent started saving it as an EPS (without closing program) which works, then I can go back and save the said file as an AI file and PRESTO!!! It works.

So, the problem (IMO) lies in the AI format. I am surprised that, for as long as this issue has been running, it has YET to be fixed fully.

BGunn

Beta, shmeta. I'm still having this issue, in the 2021 version. The file itself isn't small (285mb) though. Is there a workaround, or a best practice to speed things up?

Yep, same as Melissa. Had a few months of everything saving smoothly and now files grind to a halt when saving and take upwards of 20 mins to do anything at all. I don't dare click anything for fear of losing all my changes.

Also same, latest version of Illustrator and iMac 2017 Retina 5K, 8GB RAM fully up to date. It's getting to the point that I'm going to have to seriously look at alternatives for vector art.

IT'S BAAACKKKK!!! Happened a few months ago, stopped for a few glorious months, and now it's back.

And, yes, I have the latest version of Illustrator and of my Mac operating system. Bummer.

Yeah it takes over 3 minutes to save a blank AI file. This is ridiculous. I have deadlines to meet.
AI version 25.4.1 on a Mid 2015 Macbook pro running MacOS Mojave. 2.5 GHz INtel Core i7, 16 GB RAM, AMD RadeonR9 M370X 2048MB, Intel Iris Pro 1536 MB

Having the same issue, saving takes forever, WASTING MY TIME, and even made the whole computer stopped/lagging/freeze. I lost my work progress many times because of this issue. Adobe, please!!!

Ran into the same issue recently. Went to save a design, and Illustrator froze at 30%. Tried saving as AI and PDF, and it did the same thing regardless. I saved the design without the PDF compatible file box checked and it saved like normal. I've waited for several minutes, and it never saves past 30%.

Saving and closing files still takes way too long. Unusually long.

My 2021 illustrator started having trouble saving files and when I go see in my activity monitor Illustratot is taking 100.5 % of my cpu and AIrobin 100.2 % at the same time How can this happen? I have an i7 and 2020 Imac. I have trouble working on the app had less problems when working with CS6.

Having this issue right now. It's taking foreeeeeever and slowly saving. It's not even a big file!

Illustrator 2021 version 25.2.1 take a long time (15-20 minutes) to save a file. I see that other people have had this same issue. Has anyone found a solution? I am on a Windows 10 PC.

Mine sits at 49% and then lags my ENTIRE COMPUTER for up to 10 minutes before saving. Pls fix this