How to fix Cannot parse the file Photoshop error. Photoshop could not parse the File is an error message you get when the file extension of the photo has been changed accidentally. Various factors can cause this error. In this article, we will discuss here what this error is and how to fix it.
You might have saved a PSD or JPEG format file but accidentally named it .png, but it’s impossible to know from your screen grabs. Photoshop does not try to autodetect the file format – it trusts that you have saved the file with the proper extension, and uses that format to try to open it.
Your solution will be to make sure Close b.png is named with the proper file extension for its actual type.
Sometimes the freeware tool IrfanView is capable of telling you that you have saved a file with the wrong extension, as it DOES look inside and try to autodetect the format.
Consider going into your Windows Folder Options settings and uncheck the [ ] Hide Extensions for Known File Types setting. Then you will see the file extension for all files shown in Explorer (e.g., File – Open) dialogs. That helps to reduce confusion.
Hide Extensions for Known File Types
Simply understand the wrong image format: How to fix if the image file is .png we rename it to .jpg (because it is jpg by nature but for some reason it is wrong) or vice versa jpg -> png. That’s it, try using Photoshop Open again 99% successfully.
The remaining 1% is not knowing what format it is, you try each format: .png, jpg, gif, tif, bmp…
Note
To view and rename file formats on Windows you must uncheck Hide extensions for known file types from the Folder Options menu.
Update
Solution 1: Use Paint App
The simplest workaround for this error is to open the image in ‘Paint’ and then save the image in the correct JPEG format. When you do this, paint will automatically correct any misconfigurations and save the file as a new copy. You can then import the image with Photoshop and continue with your work.
Press Windows + S, type in the dialog and open the application.
Click on the ‘File’ tab present at the top left of the screen and select Open.
Navigate to the folder where the file is saved and open the file.
Once the file is open, click File > Save As > JPEG image. You will now be asked the location where you want to save. Choose an appropriate folder and save the file.
PRO Tip: If the problem is with your computer or laptop/notebook, you should try using Reimage Plus software that can scan archives and replace damaged and corrupted files short. This works in most cases where the problem is rooted due to a system corruption. You can download Reimage Plus by clicking here
Now open Photoshop again and try to import the new image we just created.
Solution 2: Open in Photo Viewer
Another workaround that seems to work for users is to open the image in the default image viewer, rotate the image, and then close the image without making any changes. Now when the image is opened in Photoshop, it has been imported successfully. The reason for this behavior is unknown but as long as it works, why go into detail.
Open the image in the default photo viewer for Windows. This could be the older photo viewer or the new Photos app in Windows 10.
After opening the image, click the rotate icon to rotate the image.
Keep rotating the image until you’re back to its default configuration. Now close the application and open Photoshop. Try importing the file and see if it works.
Solution 3: Take a screenshot
If neither of the above methods work, you can take a screenshot, cut out the unnecessary area and save the final image. This may cause some loss in your original image as a screenshot is just a snap of what shows on your screen while an original and complete image has it all. pixel points. However, if the above methods don’t work for you, you can use this workaround to temporarily avoid the error.
Open the image you are trying to view in the default photo viewer application.
Now take a screenshot of your Windows. You can check out our extensive guide on how to take screenshots on Windows 10, 8, and 7.
You should save the screenshot in the correct file format and then try to import it in Photoshop.
Solution 4: Open in Flash editing software (for GIFs)
In the above examples, we have been dealing with still images. However, if you have an animated GIF file that refuses to be opened by Photoshop, you need to open the image in a flash editing software and then save it in the correct format again.
There are some cases where all image files are BMP except for one or two GIFs. In this case, you need to go to the publish settings in Flash and republish the whole thing as a GIF file in order for Photoshop to recognize it correctly.
There are many Flash editing software out there. You can use any one feature to republish the entire file after making any changes. Good luck!
Tip: The methods will be more or less the same for Mac OS. You only have to use the default applications available on Mac to perform all the solutions listed
PRO Tip: If the problem is with your computer or laptop/notebook, you should try using Reimage Plus software that can scan archives and replace damaged and corrupted files short. This works in most cases where the problem is rooted due to a system corruption. You can download Reimage Plus by clicking here
Video – How to fix Cannot parse the file Photoshop error
