Why Won't Photoshop Save As Png

Photoshop error Not a PNG file [TECHNICIAN FIX]

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Updated: Jan 19, 2021

Posted: April 2020

Not a PNG file Photoshop error can be problematic, since it will prevent you from working with PNG files.
To make sure that Photoshop is running error-free, we advise you to keep it always up to date.
Another way to fix this problem is to resave the image and try to open it again.
If you're still getting Adobe Photoshop Not a PNG file error, you should reset your settings to default.

Adobe Photoshop is an industry standard when it comes with image editing and manipulation software for the Windows platform. Photoshop supports all the image formats from jpg to png.

However, some users have reported that they are not unable to work with any images due to a Not a PNG file error. If the user clicks on OK, the image doesn't load into the Work area.

This is a common error and we have compiled a list of possible fixes to resolve it on a Windows computer.

Why Photoshop won't open PNG files?

1. Update Photoshop

Photoshop constantly gets updated with new features and better compatibility, so you will need to update it to the latest version in order to take advantage of these new features.

Adobe Photoshop is the most recognized image editor in the world, and to maintain its spot at the top, Adobe is constantly adding new features to it. Here are some examples of the latest features to look forward to if you update Adobe Photoshop to the latest version:

Support for mobile devices
Enhanced Content-Aware Fill
Improved Lens blur with the new GPU-based algorithm
Faster image processing

Adobe Photoshop

Photoshop is the world's best photo editing software for editing PNG files for both professionals and beginners.

2. Check and Change the File Extension

Navigate to the folder where the problematic image is saved.
Right-click on the image and select open with Notepad.
Check what the first character says. If it says ÿØÿá it means it is a jpg image. If it says ‰PNG it means it is a PNG image.
Now if it says ÿØÿáit means you need to change the image extension to jpg.
Open, File Explorer. Make sure the File Name Extensions box is checked.
Right-click on the image and select Rename. Now change the file extension from png to jpg.
Now try to open the file in the Photoshop to see if the error is resolved.

This is a simple solution but it can help you to determine the cause of the Not a png file error in Photoshop.

Having more Photoshop issues on Windows 10? Check out these guides for more information.

3. Resave the image as PNG

Navigate to the folder where the PNG image is saved.
Right-click on the image and open with Paint.
In the Paint app, click on File > Save As.
Save the image as a png file.
Now try to open the image in Photoshop and check for any improvements.

Although this is a workaround, it will ensure that your file is saved as a PNG and by using it you should circumvent the Not a png file error in Adobe Photoshop.

4. Disable Use of Graphic Processor

adobe photoshop disable graphics processor

Launch Photoshop.
Go to Edit >Preferences >Performance
In the Performance tab, uncheck Use Graphics Processor
Quit and relaunch Photoshop
Drag and drop the problematic image onto the Workarea and check if the PNG file error is resolved

You may need to use Graphic Processor for other 3D related tasks, but several users reported that by disabling this feature they fixed the Not a png file Photoshop error.

5. Reset Photoshop Preferences

Launch Photoshop
Click on Edit > Preferences
In the General tab, click on Reset Preferences on Quit
Quit Photoshop and reboot the computer.
Launch Photoshop and try to access the image that was giving the error to see if resetting the preferences resolve the error.

Adobe Photoshop Not a png file error will prevent you from working with PNG files, but hopefully you managed to fix it after reading this guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I fix a non PNG file?

To easily fix this issue, convert the image to a PNG as shown in this guide. Now you should be able to import the PNG file to Photoshop. If this fails, check the other fixes featured on our list.
Can Photoshop open PNG files?

Yes. Adobe Photoshop can open most image files with no problem. Additionally, you can open vector files and convert them to PNG using Adobe Photoshop.
Why can't I save as PNG in Photoshop?

Depending on the image you have, it might not be compatible with the PNG format. Check if your document is an 8-bit RGB and go to File > Export > Quick Export or Export As. Here you can select PNG and your settings and the image will be converted to the format desired.