Publisher cannot open or save the file: what to do
Updated
"Publisher cannot save the file" usually appears when you save as PDF, and Microsoft's fix is to reset your default printer or shrink large pictures. "Publisher cannot open the file" usually means the file is damaged or is not a real Publisher file. If Publisher is no longer on your computer, convert the file instead.
"Publisher cannot save the file"
Microsoft says this happens when you save a Publisher file as PDF or XPS, most often in Publisher 2016 on Windows 10. Its fixes:
- Close Publisher. In Windows Settings, go to Devices, then Printers & scanners, and turn off Let Windows manage my default printer. Set another device, such as Microsoft Print to PDF, as the default, then set your usual printer as the default again. Reopen Publisher and save as PDF.
- If you use Publisher 2010, 2013 or 2016 on an older version of Windows, compress the pictures in the file, and remove page backgrounds, large images, transparent images and picture effects until the file saves.
- Publisher comes in two editions, 32-bit and 64-bit, which are two builds of the same program. Microsoft says the 64-bit edition does not have this saving problem, so if you have the 32-bit edition, install the 64-bit one instead.
No Publisher, or still stuck? Upload the file here. Page 1 and a PDF of page 1 are free. A paid download costs $9 for one file, or $19 for up to 25 files in one upload.
"Publisher cannot open the file"
The message depends on the version: "Publisher cannot open this file. This is not a Publisher file." (Publisher 2000), "Publisher cannot open the file." (2002 and 2003) or "Publisher has detected a problem in the file you are trying to open." (2007).
A post on Microsoft's Publisher team blog says this usually means the file is damaged, comes from a very old Publisher version, or is not really a Publisher file, for example a file renamed to .pub. To recover the text, create a new publication and insert the damaged file: Insert, Text File in Publisher 2007, or Insert, Insert File in Publisher 2010. Graphics and formatting may be lost.
You can also upload the file here. If our converter cannot read it, it tells you so, and you are never asked to pay for a file that did not convert.
If Publisher no longer opens at all
Microsoft 365 subscribers lose access to Publisher on or shortly after October 1, 2026, as Microsoft's removal update rolls out. If you bought Publisher outright, for example Publisher 2021, Microsoft says you can still open and edit your files. Without Publisher, use LibreOffice Draw, a free desktop program you install on your computer, or convert the file here.
Check that it is a Publisher file
If the file opens in a text editor as a single line of readable text, it is probably an SSH public key, which is a small text file used to log in to servers and has nothing to do with Publisher. It also ends in .pub, but Publisher and this converter cannot open it.
Convert your file now
Questions
Why does Publisher say my file is not a Publisher file?
The file may be damaged, from a very old Publisher version, or a different kind of file renamed to .pub.
Can you convert a damaged .pub file?
Sometimes. Upload it: if our converter can read it, page 1 shows for free. If it cannot, you see an error and you are not asked to pay.
Sources
- Microsoft Support: "Publisher cannot save the file" error when saving as PDF
- Microsoft (archived): error message when you try to open a publication in Publisher
- Microsoft Publisher team blog (archived): recover data from a corrupt Publisher file
- Microsoft Support: Publisher will no longer be supported after October 2026
More guides: Publisher to Word, Publisher to PDF, Publisher to PowerPoint, Publisher to Canva, Open .pub without Publisher, .pub on Mac, Publisher alternatives, Publisher retirement, Bulk convert, Converter comparison, What is a .pub file, .pub viewer, .pub extension, .pub on phone or Chromebook, Publisher file in Word