Affinity Publisher file won't open after crash - hung up on loading, can place but can't edit or open

[hsutherlin]

Hello, 

I have an Affinity Publisher file - 220 pages, linked text - that I can't open after Publisher crashed (it does this often). I am in the habit of saving obsessively as I work but after the last crash, I couldn't open the file. No error, no corrupted file message, just stuck on loading. I can place the file, but can't open to edit. This is a working project, so I will need to edit it. Is there any way to fix the file or have it fix? Or recover it in some way? 

I'm running a PC, have uninstalled and reinstalled the latest Publisher build 1.8.5.703. I've tried opening it in Designer (works when placed, but can't open the file to edit it). I've cleared the preferences when opening Publisher, too. I've tried copying it and changing the file name. NOTHING works. I've TRIED EVERYTHING. For now, I was able to place the file 110 times for my 220 page document, specifying the page numbers for each, which works to send for an initial review, but I'm unable to edit it and really need to. 

Any help would be appreciated. File is attached here. 

Print Interior.afpub

[Dan C]

Hi @hsutherlin,

Welcome to the forums and I'm very sorry to hear you're having trouble with this document!

I have downloaded a copy of this and I'm seeing the same behaviour here. Using my limited tools, I attempted to repair the document, however I have been thus far unsuccessful, my apologies.

Therefore, I will be logging this file with our developers now, and hopefully they will be able to recover this using their debugging tools.

In the meantime, can you please confirm the following for me?

1. Which Operating System are you using?

On 12/5/2020 at 5:18 AM, hsutherlin said:

I'm running a PC

2. Which version of Affinity did the file last get saved in?

On 12/5/2020 at 5:18 AM, hsutherlin said:

latest Publisher build 1.8.5.703

3. What drive type was the file recently saved to (select more than one if needed)?
Local disk
USB disk/Flash disk
Google Drive folder
OneDrive folder
iCloud folder
Dropbox folder
Network location
Other (please specify)

4. Any other information you think would help us try to find the problem
Specifically, what were the last steps you remember making to the file before you could no longer open the document?

We suggest that you check to see if you have any backups of the document available in case we’re unable to recover the file. The investigation process can take some time, but we’ll be back in contact with our findings. 

I hope this helps

[xholt25]

Hi, I am having the same issue here. AP2 crushed, I'd saved the file but now it never finishes opening the file, no error message, nothing. It was originally saved on OneDrive, then moved a copy to hard drive, same result. Mac Monterey 12.6.

Also, now all my menu options are greyed out, AP2 won't quit and have to force quit it every time. I'll need to keep my file private.

 

Tereza

[Dan C]

Hi @xholt25,

Sorry to hear you're having trouble - please upload your document to the below link for me:

https://www.dropbox.com/request/PfbWM3sCOb1gyUUvB9sV

Once uploaded, please reply here to let me know. Many thanks in advance!

[xholt25]

Hi Dan, thank you so much for your quick response, you guys are doing an amazing job. The file has been uploaded. Thank you, Tereza

[Dan C]

Thanks for providing your file and your kind words, this is certainly appreciated

I've tried recovering this using the tools available to me and unfortunately I see the same behaviour with your file here.

Therefore I checked this file within a HEX editor and it appears as though there is missing information in the file header - 

I'm logging this file with our developers now for further investigation and I'll be sure to reply here with any information provided.

Our sincerest apologies for the inconveniences caused here, we recommend only working from files locally, then uploading copies to Cloud storage for backup to avoid file corruption.

[Dan C]

@xholt25 - our developers have been able to repair your file, which I have confirmed by opening this here.

I have just returned this to your email address used for your Forum account, please keep an eye out for an email from Dropbox with this.

I hope this helps

[xholt25]

25 minutes ago, Dan C said:

@xholt25 - our developers have been able to repair your file, which I have confirmed by opening this here.

I have just returned this to your email address used for your Forum account, please keep an eye out for an email from Dropbox with this.

I hope this helps

Hi Dan, thank you so much, you saved me! I really appreciate your work, I think you guys are amazing, have a great day,

Tereza

[princesitaneko]

Hi everyone!

I just have the exact same problem. The app freezes, then I force it shut down, and now it won't open my document and I don't want to do it all over again. 

Can any one help me to fix my file?? Thank you

I am using Publisher V2, in a M1 MacBook Air, with the last operation system.  The file it won't open is attached to this post.

Agenda personalizada Coni 2024.afpub

[Hangman]

Hi @princesitaneko and welcome to the forums,

Are all your Linked Assets on an external Hard Drive or Cloud Drive, they all show as Linked (Remote)?

If so, try moving all your Linked assets to your internal Hard Drive and if in doing so you end up making a copy of the Linked assets folder, rename it on the remote drive to break the link between your Publisher file and the Linked (Remote) assets.

Then open your Publisher file which ideally should also be on your internal Hard Drive and relink the Linked Assets from your internal Hard Drive to see if that fixes the issue for you...

Let us know how you get on...

[GarryP]

@princesitaneko The document opened for me on my Windows machine but with some missing images and fonts (as might be expected).

However, it's working very slowly as it tries to find the images.

As Hangman mentions above, I think the problem you might be having could be to do with you using lots of large external images marked as “Linked (Remote)” in the Resource Manager.

I’ve attached a version of the document with all of the images replaced with an embedded ‘red cross’ image, just in case you cannot get the images moved to a local drive – not what you want but better than having to do the whole thing again.

Agenda personalizada Coni 2024-without-images.afpub

[princesitaneko]

8 hours ago, Hangman said:

Hi @princesitaneko and welcome to the forums,

Are all your Linked Assets on an external Hard Drive or Cloud Drive, they all show as Linked (Remote)?

If so, try moving all your Linked assets to your internal Hard Drive and if in doing so you end up making a copy of the Linked assets folder, rename it on the remote drive to break the link between your Publisher file and the Linked (Remote) assets.

Then open your Publisher file which ideally should also be on your internal Hard Drive and relink the Linked Assets from your internal Hard Drive to see if that fixes the issue for you...

Let us know how you get on...

Thank you! I will try to do that. I use all my files in iCloud Drive, so I would eliminate the downloads in my computer and try to see if I can open my file

[princesitaneko]

8 hours ago, GarryP said:

@princesitaneko The document opened for me on my Windows machine but with some missing images and fonts (as might be expected).

However, it's working very slowly as it tries to find the images.

As Hangman mentions above, I think the problem you might be having could be to do with you using lots of large external images marked as “Linked (Remote)” in the Resource Manager.

I’ve attached a version of the document with all of the images replaced with an embedded ‘red cross’ image, just in case you cannot get the images moved to a local drive – not what you want but better than having to do the whole thing again.

Agenda personalizada Coni 2024-without-images.afpub 1.62 MB · 0 downloads

Thank you so much!!! I will try to open this file! 

[willsmith507]

Hello,

I'm having the same issue that seems to have been solved above. The file crashed while loading and now won't reopen. 

Please help!

-Will

Tiller 2024 copy.afpub

Edited November 15, 2024 by willsmith507
Forgot to upload file

[Hangman]

Hi @willsmith507 and welcome to the forums,

Can you upload your Publisher file along with any Linked graphics so we can take a look?

[willsmith507]

Just did, thank you!

[Hangman]

Hi @willsmith507,

Your Publisher file opens without issue for me but I don't have the Linked Graphics, one of which is likely causing the issue.

Could you zip these up and then upload the zip file so we can figure out which one is causing the issue? Quite a few of the Linked graphics show a Linked (Remote) placement status, are some of the files located on an external or cloud drive?

[willsmith507]

I have no idea why, but the file is currently opening for me as well now. For 2 days before when I attempted to open the file I saw the "flash" where the program had received the command but nothing was happening. 

And yes, it was an oversight to be pulling some of these files from the cloud. I'm currently downloading all the original files that might have been in the cloud and will try to add them back manually, unless there is a better option?

Tiller 2024 copy.afpub.zip

[Hangman]

Hi @willsmith507,

Once downloaded, put all the Linked and Embedded files in a folder or subfolders within a main folder. You can select them in the Resource Manager in Publisher (Window → Resource Manager) and relink them...

That should give you everything you need but if you still have any issues feel free to upload the Linked files and we can take a look...