[Not a PNG file] How to deal with errors when Photoshop cannot open it

2024-10-14 / Photoshop, Uncategorized
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Fill tool error

I tried to open a PNG image in Photoshop, but the message “Not a PNG file” was displayed…

This solved it

Solution 1: Save as with Paint.
Solution 2: Copy the image → Paste it to a layer in Photoshop, save it as a name

This time, we will show you what to do when Photoshop displays the error “Not a PNG file” and cannot be opened.

Error “Not a PNG file”

Not a PNG file

Not a PNG file

Cause: “Different from original file format”

Different from the original file format. Change from webp to png

It is different from the original file format.
Example: Original webp → changed to png → “Not a PNG file” when opened in Photoshop

Solution 1: Change to the original extension

Revert to the original image file extension.

Not a PNG file: png
Origin: webp

  1. Right-click the PNG file → [Rename]
  2. Change from .png to .webp.
  3. Changing the extension may render the file unusable. Do you want to change? [Yes]
Changing the extension may render the file unusable. Do you want to change it? Yes

Now you can open it in Photoshop as webp.

Solution 2: Save as with Paint

  1. Right-click the PNG file, [Open]
Right click on the PNG file, open
  1. Paint. [File] → [Save As (A)].
Paint. File → Save As
  1. Save As. Enter the file name, set the file type to .PNG (.png), and click Save.
Save As. Enter the file name, set the file type to .PNG, and save.
  1. If you save this image, the transparency information in the image will be lost, do you want to continue? [OK]
If you save this image, the transparency information in the image will be lost, do you want to continue? OK.

Now you can open PNG files in Photoshop.

Solution 3: Copy the image and paste it into a Photoshop layer

  1. Open the image in Photos or Google Chrome (browser).
  2. Right click on the image and copy it.
Photo.Right-click on the image and copy it. Google Chrome. Right-click the image and copy it.
Photo Google Chrome
  1. Start Photoshop, create new → paste to layer (Ctrl + V)
  2. Photoshop. [File] → [Save As].

It’s OK because it’s now saved as a PNG file.

What failed

Failure 1: Change to another extension

1. Change the PNG file extension from PNG to JPG in Explorer (or Finder).

  1. Is it okay to change the extension from “.png” to “.jpg”? Select [Use “.jpg”].
Is it okay to change the extension from ".png" to ".jpg"? Use ".jpg".

Now when I open it in Photoshop it says “Unable to complete the requested operation. Program error.”

Failure 2: Save as with Photo

  1. Open the PNG file in Photos.
  2. Photo. Change the file type to PNG, name it, and save it.
Photo. Change the file type to PNG, name it, and save it.

Now, when you open it in Photoshop, “Not a PNG file” will be displayed.

Operating Environment

  • Windows 10 Pro 1909
  • Adobe Photoshop CC 2020