Resolved - File is Not Compatible with This Version of Photoshop

Updated on June 24, 2022

"Could not complete your request because the file is not compatible with this version of Photoshop" error while accessing or saving an image file in Adobe Photoshop is quite common. This software not only repairs corrupted or damaged PSD files, it can also fix PSB, PDD files and restore its details bitmap, greyscale, index color, multichannel color.

An error message "Could not complete your request because the file is not compatible with this version of Photoshop" while saving the image file in Photoshop application. This indicates that there is some problem with the file or the Photoshop application.
There are many tools available to fix this error "The file is not compatible with this version of Photoshop". This article talks about the best tool available to fix Photoshop incompatible file error

Table of contents:

1. What are the causes for PSD file not compatible error

2. How to repair “file is not compatible error” on photoshop


What Are The Causes For PSD File not Compatible Error

  • Opening PSD file in an incompatible version of Photoshop
  • Upgrading Photoshop in an improper way
  • Terminating the Photoshop application abruptly
  • Any abrupt system shutdown while exporting the PSD file might lead to the error ‘photoshop file is not compatible with this version'.
  • Photoshop files became incompatible after updating the Adobe Photoshop program.

How to Repair “File Is Not Compatible Error” On Photoshop

Fix 1: Open the incompatible PSD file in Lightroom

Copy the incompatible PSD file, open it in Lightroom, and then export it as a new PSD or TIFF file with a new name. This approach may flatten old layers, but it can partially fix and restore your PSD file that was previously inaccessible.


Fix 2: Convert the PSD file

If your PSD files aren't compatible with one Adobe program, try accessing them with another Adobe program. You can then convert your projects into new PSD files.

  • Adobe Lightroom is the first tool you may use. Simply open the file with compatibility concerns in Lightroom and export it as a new PSD file.
  • On the other side, Adobe Illustrator can be used to open the project, later save it as a new PSD file.

You should be able to access your project in Photoshop once you've finished.

Fix 3: Convert Photoshop Layers to Objects

Make a copy of your inaccessible PSD file, open it in Adobe Illustrator, and select Convert Photoshop layers to objects from the Convert Photoshop layers to objects menu. Export the file in a PSD format once it is accessible in Illustrator, and the PSD file that isn't compatible with this version of Photoshop will be corrected.

Fix 4: Photoshop File Not Compatible With This Version Error Using GIMP

GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a rasterizer and retouching image editor that is free and open-source. Despite the fact that GIMP is not as capable as Photoshop, it can open almost any Photoshop source file. Follow the methods below to use GIMP to solve the PSD file not compatible with this version of Photoshop problem.

  • Download and install GIMP
  • Click on File tab > click on Open option > then select the damaged PSD file.
  • Now click on File > navigate to Export > select .psd as format and click on Export.

    When you use GIMP to fix the Photoshop file not compatible problem, any grouped layers or editable layers open in the inaccessible PSD file will be flattened. This means that while your faulty PSD file will be repaired, you will lose a few layers from the original.

    To prevent changing your original PSD file, Remo Repair PSD software uses a read-only technique. This utility retrieves only the data from a corrupt.psd file and repairs it using a cloned file. The program is built with a self-explanatory interface that allows even inexperienced users to easily restore corrupt or damaged PSD files. This utility can also recover multiple layers or individual layers from a corrupt PSD file.

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    How to Fix PSD File is Not Compatible with This Version of Photoshop

    Step 1: : Download and install Remo Repair PSD software on your system. Run the application, and select the PSD file to be fixed using Browse option.

    Photoshop Error File Not Compatible with this Version - Main Screen

    Step 2: After selecting the file, click Repair option. You can see the repair progress screen.

    Photoshop Error File Not Compatible with this Version - Progress Bar

    Step 3: After repair process is completed, you can preview the fixed PSD file using Preview option.

    Step 4: Finally, click on the Save option to get back the repaired PSD file to the desired location.