Troubleshoot issues with saving files

Save the file with a different file format

• Change the .ai file to a different format (.svg, .png, .jpg), and then try to save the file again.
• Save the file in Post-Script (PS) format
  1. Select File > Print.
  2. Specify the desired print settings.
  3. Select Adobe Postscript File from the Printer menu and select Save.
  4. Type a filename that includes a .ps extension, and then select OK (Windows) or Save (macOS).
  5. Open the PostScript file in Illustrator and then try to save it in the .ai format.

Copy contents to a new file

• Remove unwanted items from the artwork, such as stray points, unpainted objects, and empty text paths. Select  Object > Path > Clean Up....
• Retain layers for the artwork in the new file. In the Layers panel > More Options, select Paste Remembers Layers.
• Select the artwork and then select Edit > Copy.
  
• Select File > New to create a new file.
• In the new file, select Edit > Paste In Front to paste the artwork in the correct position on the page.

Identify and remove damaged components

To determine whether an object is damaged, delete it from the new file and then save and reopen it. 

• Identify the damaged pattern, gradient, or custom color.
  • Select Edit > Select All and change the fill and stroke to process black.
  • If the issue does not recur in the new file, re-create the pattern, gradient, or spot color in the original file.
    Note: You may lose transparency and layer information.

• Delete damaged swatches, custom colors, color groups, brushes, symbols, or styles.
  Select Select All Unused from the Swatches panel, Brushes panel, Symbols panel, and Styles panel, and then select Delete.

• Convert the damaged text object to outlines or change its font.
  • Select Object > Unlock All.
  • Select Edit > Select All.
  • Select Type > Font and select a font not used in the document.
    Note: To prevent text objects from becoming damaged in the future, reinstall the problematic font from the original disk.