Open the Creative Cloud desktop application.
Last updated on
Oct 27, 2025
Fix file saving program errors in Adobe Photoshop by adjusting system permissions or modifying document layers.
When you attempt to save a file in Photoshop, a dialog appears with the message, Could not save as [filename].psd because of a program error, and prevents the file from being saved. This typically happens when saving large or complex files with multiple layers, when working with certain file formats, or after making significant edits to your document.
Photoshop may have bugs or compatibility issues
Navigate to the Apps tab.
Find Photoshop in your installed apps list.
Select Update.
Restart Photoshop and try saving your file again.
On macOS, Photoshop may lack the necessary disk access permissions to save files to certain locations
Select the Apple menu in the top-left corner.
Select System Settings.
Select Privacy & Security > Full Disk Access.
Select the lock icon and enter your system password to make changes.
Select the box next to Adobe Photoshop to grant full disk access.
Restart Photoshop and try saving your file again.
Complex layer structures or layer effects
Hide all the layers, and save the file with a new name.
Gradually make layers visible again in small groups.
Save after each group to identify which layer might be causing the issue
For the problematic layer, try simplifying it by rasterizing or removing effects.
Restart Photoshop and try saving your file again.
Unified Extensibility Platform (UXP) panel issues
Quit Photoshop completely.
Go to /Applications/Adobe Photoshop [Version]/Adobe Photoshop [Version].app/Contents/Required/UXP/ (macOS) and Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop [Version]\Required\UXP (Windows).
Rename the folder com.adobe.unifiedpanel to ~com.adobe.unifiedpanel.
Restart Photoshop and try saving your file again.
Save engine incompatible with your specific file or system configuration
Go to Photoshop > Settings > File Handling on macOS.
Select Enable Legacy "Save As" to use the older save method.
Try saving in a different format like TIFF or PSB temporarily. You can later try reopening and saving in your preferred format.
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